The Internet saved another newspaper from financial disaster
Via Editor & Publisher:
The Bloomfield Free Press in Indiana is shuttering its print edition and plans to publish on the Web.
The paper’s owner and publisher R. Michael Johnson cited the rising cost of postage, printing and materials for making to the move exclusively online.
The 2,000-circ weekly is distributed on Wednesdays. One-third of its circ is distributed through the U.S. Postal Service. Johnson explained he lowered the price of each edition to 75 cents as the economy hit a wall: It cost him $1 to mail each issue and in May, the price to mail the paper will rise by 5 to 6 cents.
Sure, they might loose some readers and some advertisers in the short run, but by abandoning antiquated printing press technology, readers who want local news will to go the online edition. And where readers will go, local advertisers will follow. Of course, the fact that you don’t need a printing press or the money to pay for printing and mailing means that ANYONE who can hire reporters or do the job yourself can can start up a compedting site.
The value of a news paper in the modern era isn’t in the ownership of a printing press, but in having a staff that goes out and gathers news.
Hat tip: Chase Ingersoll.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
