| The business of the newspaper business |
Below you will find links to the 127 back issues of NewsInc. that contained front-page essays, which were then and remain free to be read on the Internet (the remainder of each issue is kept in our archive; you can purchase access at our store). Links to issues that are entirely in the archive are also provided, but they require paid access.
Aug. 4, 1997
A STRAW MAN TO MOTIVATE THE NEWSPAPER BUSINESS
Is Bill Gates the enemy? Maybe Cartoonist Walt Kelly was right
Aug. 18, 1997
JUST GIVING READERS THE NEWS ISN’T PROMOTION ENOUGH
Marketing departments must see new roles and views
Sept. 1, 1997
MONTEREY MAY BE AN ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE TO KNIGHT-RIDDER
Swap with Scripps adds to group’s reach and its labor woes
Sept. 15, 1997
WHY THOSE WEB SITES LUST AFTER NEWSPAPER CLASSIFIED AD INCOME
Traditional print revenue may be diverted unless publishers act
Sept. 29, 1997
IS THIS THE PERSON TO WHOM I AM SPEAKING? MAYBE, MAYBE NOT
Machines blended with the human touch to serve customers
Oct. 13, 1997
THE DEATH IN EL PASO SHOULD BE REASON TO MOURN – AND RENEW
The newspaper industry can live as though it’s in decline, or not
EXTRA: Times takes a Coffey break as Inky’s King resigns
Oct. 27, 1997
NEWS AND BUSINESS HAVE NEVER BEEN ENEMIES
The Los Angeles Times may just be making reality its formal design
Nov. 10, 1997
OK, BASK IN THE GLOW OF THOSE FINANCIALS (THEN FACE REALITY)
Third-quarter results are happy and healthy, but problems persist
Nov. 24, 1997
IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES, IT WAS THE WORST OF REACTIONS
Wall Street’s take on Star Tribune deal shows it has much to learn
Dec. 8, 1997
A LITTLE HOLIDAY CHEER IS TEMPERED BY READER REALITY
Newspapers wind up a good ad year, look to ’98 for modest gains
Jan. 5, 1998
A HEALTHY INDUSTRY LOOKS TO STILL MORE GAINS IN NEW YEAR
Clustering may play a role, as the Los Angeles story may prove in ’98
Jan. 19, 1998
SUPERB ’97 AIMS BIG BUCKS AT INDUSTRY LEADERS’ POCKETS
On paper, the big year on Wall Street has yielded sizeable returns
Feb. 2, 1998
CREATING SOURCES OF NEW REVENUE IS THIS YEAR’S TOP TASK
Costs have been cut quite nicely; now it’s time to boost sales
Feb. 16, 1998
NEWSPAPER INDUSTRY LACKS ZING – WANNA FIGHT ABOUT IT?
Publishers need to challenge every newcomer to their turf
March 2, 1998
SMALL PAPERS ALPHABET SOUP: 3 CS (ADD SPICE, STIR WELL)
Cooking up ways a publisher can cater to its customers’ needs
March 16, 1998
THE DEATH OF NCN HAS MANY LESSONS FOR THE BUSINESS
Bowing to nine masters proves to be a fatal flaw in pioneering plan
March 30, 1998
FROM ABC RULES TO LEGAL ADS, CHANGE IS IN INDUSTRY MAELSTROM
Death of another paper casts a big spotlight on need for redirection
April 13, 1998
THE AP: IT STILL MAKES GOOD DOLLARS AND SENSE
150 years young, news cooperative takes flak, keeps on delivering
April 27, 1998
NAA’S 1998 CONFAB PROVIDES A SURPRISE: TEXAS-SIZE INTEREST
Publishers gather to assess their industry, and soak up self-criticism
May 11, 1998
SKIPPING GOOD INDUSTRY NEWS, FOCUS IS ON MOVE
An industry leader signals that web presses may give way to web sites
May 25, 1998
NOW, EVEN SUNDAY APPEARS TO BE AT RISK OF DECLINING
A new weakness poses a troubling question: What do we try next?
June 8, 1998
WALL STREET VS. MAIN STREET: THE LANES CONVERGE
As papers gain financially, do they still serve the public’s interests?
June 22, 1998
TARGETED PRODUCTS ARE ADDING TO AN OLD CRITICAL MASS
Advertisers spur newspapers to reach beyond the big audiences
July 6, 1998
LAPSES IN INTEGRITY GENERATE UNWANTED HEAT IN A SLOW TIME
Journalism 101 seems forgotten in a rising tide of indiscretions
July 20, 1998
MARKET STRENGTH OF ‘NET STOCKS IS PUZZLING, TROUBLING
Media companies are shortchanged in latest burst of techno-enthusiasm
Aug. 3, 1998
HERE’S A FEARSOME THOUGHT: NO ONE’S MINDING THE STORE
Lack of good data fells attempt to tally revenues from classifieds
Aug. 31, 1998
QUARK BID FOR ADOBE MAY HAVE HIDDEN TOLL FOR PAPERS
Spurning takeover will distract a key software firm at a critical juncture
Sept. 14, 1998
BOTTOM LINE NEEDS TO MAKE ROOM FOR VALUES AS AN ASSET
Guy Gannett sale shows how hard it is to put a price on a public trust
Sept. 28, 1998
STARR REPORT MAY PROVE TO BE KEY IN MEDIA EVOLUTION
A huge, steamy document tests traditional editing limits, processes
Oct. 12, 1998
ECONOMIC DISTRESS BEGINNING TO LAND ON OUR DOORSTEPS
Stumbling market, dip in classified growth send alert to prepare now
Oct. 26, 1998
SMOOTH SAILING NOW MAY GIVE WAY TO ROUGH SEAS SOON
Earnings reports are good news that may be masking the bad
Nov. 9, 1998
FUTURE OF NEWSPAPER BUSINESS MAY BE IN LOCAL SCHOOLS
One paper’s comprehensive literacy program is a keen model
Nov. 23, 1998
REUTERS MAKES A CASE FOR CHOOSING TO COVER THE WORLD
British service embraces the Web by holding on to hard news
Dec. 7, 1998
TENNESSEE MERGER POINTS TO FRAILTIES OF THE JOA CONCEPT
Growth of weekly newspapers, web threaten need for two-daily cities
Jan. 4, 1999
FALTERING ’98 SHOWS ‘GROWTH’ MUST BE ’99 WORD TO THRIVE BY
PaineWebber media sessions notable for their lack of exuberance
Jan. 18, 1999
NEW NAA CLASSIFIED STANDARDS ARE A BIG STEP FOR PUBLISHERS
Competitive edge will be sharpened when ads can go across media
Feb. 1, 1999
PURCHASE OF AD ONE SHOWS WISDOM, EVEN IF IT’S OVERDUE
On-line classifieds have a more secure future with media owners
Feb. 15, 1999
NEWSPAPER INDUSTRY DISCOVERS HOW TO GO ALONG TO GET A LOT
Cooperation gains as competitors unite to save – or make – money
March 1, 1999
MAGAZINE ERRS AS IT SKETCHES GLOOMY NEWSPAPER FUTURE
’Net threat is real, but extinction isn’t just around the virtual corner
March 15, 1999
NAA’S AD NUMBERS MAY BE SIGNALING BEGINNING OF THE END
Classifieds’ swoon in face of other categories’ rise is a troubling sign
March 29, 1999
BILLBOARDS IN TORONTO PUT MORE ON DISPLAY THAN A FRONT PAGE
Xerox marries technology and Globe and Mail in a marketing flash
April 12, 1999
PITY POOR AGATE, FOR WEB WILL MAKE SURE ITS DAYS ARE FEW
From stock tables to classifieds, little letters have a big future on-line
April 26, 1999
EARNINGS UP, CREDIBILITY DOWN: THE NEWSPAPER DILEMMA
Quarter looks good, but ASNE survey makes papers look bad
May 10, 1999
THOUGHT, PLANNING, LEADERSHIP MARK NAA PLANS FOR GROWTH
Initiatives unveiled at annual meeting offer new itinerary down old roads
May 24, 1999
CHRONICLE DECISION TO ASSESS ITS FUTURE SETS STAGE FOR SALE
San Francisco may be entering last days as a two-paper town
June 7, 1999
WHEN THE FAMILY BUSINESS IS THE NEWSPAPER BUSINESS
Proxy statements and web sites show families still control papers
June 21, 1999
NEXPO IS TIME FOR PAPERS TO REFLECT ON TECH STRATEGIES
Big news at show is new editorial systems from Atex, DT, SII
July 5, 1999
HOW VITAL ARE VITAL STATISTICS? SOME CHARGE TO PRINT
Are free obits and wedding announcements antiquated?
July 19, 1999
INDIANA’S NEWS TO CLOSE – WILL IT BEGIN A TREND?
Almost a dozen papers depend on good economy, cheap newsprint
Aug. 2, 1999
MICROSOFT ROLLS UP SIDEWALK, BUT THREAT TO PAPERS REMAINS
Local web guides no longer have a deep-pockets competitor, but ...
Aug. 30, 1999
WILL A SAN FRANCISCO MERGER MAKE A BETTER PAPER?
Hearst’s efforts to sell the Examiner notwithstanding, merger inevitable
Sept. 13, 1999
VIACOM’S BUY OF CBS PUTS MORE PRESSURE ON PAPERS TO GROW
Web will force publishers to gain access to video content – soon
Sept. 27, 1999
DEATH IN HONOLULU MEANS MORE THAN JUST ONE LESS PAPER
Star-Bulletin’s demise may spell the end of the newspaper JOA
Oct. 11, 1999
MEASURING THE WORTH OF A PAPER REQUIRES LOTS OF FACTORS
Pulitzer’s price for Illinois newspaper surprises many in the business
Oct. 25, 1999
TIMES CO. PURCHASE OF PAPER RECEIVES NEWSROOM ACCOLADES
Telegram & Gazette staff’s relief may fade under new owner
Nov. 8, 1999
A TALE OF 2 MOVIES – THE INSIDER AND THE OUTSIDER
New L.A. Times publisher misunderstands ad-edit principles
Nov. 22, 1999
JOAs IN SAN FRANCISCO AND HAWAII WILL NOT HAVE SAME OUTCOME
Deals to end two papers came to pass in decidedly different ways
Dec. 6, 1999
NEWSPAPER STOCKS CONTINUE TO PUZZLE WALL STREET
One analyst sees an upswing, thanks to returns on core abilities
Jan. 3, 2000
AS 2000 OPENS, MEDIA COMPANIES ARE RIDING VERY HIGH
Four-year trends, positive attitude on Wall Street herald happy days
Jan. 17, 2000
POLITICIANS LINE UP TO PLAY MONOPOLY IN SAN FRANCISCO
Outcry against likely shutdown of Examiner rings hollow, at best
Jan. 31, 2000
HEARST ADDS KEY ITEMS TO PACKAGE IN BID TO SELL EXAMINER
Economics of a two-paper city still argue against paper’s survival
Feb. 14, 2000
FISCAL JOY OF ’99 SHOWS HOW FAR INDUSTRY HAS COME
Challenge will be to attract, retain the talent needed in this new age
Feb. 28, 2000
THOMSON’S PENDING EXIT MEANS THE REST OF US CAN GET MORE
Shedding papers isn’t a new thing, just new to a firm drawn to the Web
March 13, 2000
IN THE GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS JOKE, ANYTHING GOES
A cynic could find bad news among the good, but that’s conditioning
March 27, 2000
EXAMINER SALE CREATES NEW TENSION FOR S.F.
Head-to-head competition will pit a big company against a family
April 10, 2000
TO 50-INCH OR NOT TO 50-INCH, THAT IS THE NEWSPAPER QUESTION
The incredible shrinking paper has become de rigueur in the U.S.
April 24, 2000
QUARTERLY RESULTS RECALL LESSONS OF HARD TIMES
Good news flows now, but steps are needed to keep it flowing
May 8, 2000
LATEST UPHEAVAL OVER EXAMINER CUTS INTO CREDIBILITY
Court testimony by publisher airs an old way of life: back-scratching
May 22, 2000
PROPOSED DENVER JOA WILL SIMPLY POSTPONE A DEATH
Good intentions aren’t going to salvage a failing News over time
June 5, 2000
IT’S TIME FOR CROSS-OWNERSHIP RULES TO BE RESCINDED
Giving a place enough ‘voices’ puts opinion above quality
June 19, 2000
FEWER NEWSPAPER COMPANIES, PAPERS, MEANS CHANGE
Consolidation hurts, but industry executives should get used to it
July 3, 2000
INDUSTRY TAKES A CLOSE LOOK AT ITSELF AND THE FUTURE
Newspapers 2000 draws a heady mix of suppliers and key executives
July 17, 2000
RECENT SALES OF PAPERS GLOW WITH RENEWED LOCAL TIES
Santa Barbara, N.J. purchases bring properties closer to owners
July 31, 2000
QUARTERLY EARNINGS REPORTS AGAIN DEFY WALL STREET
Last recession’s lessons are still playing out, to the joy of publishers
Aug. 28, 2000
THEY MAY BE FREE, BUT TRANSIT PAPERS ARE READ
Publishers argue that their tabloids are creating many new readers
Sept. 11, 2000
EVEN IN THE BEST OF TIMES, WALL STREET CHOKES
The NAA reports glowing ad sales, then an analyst sends a jolt
Sept. 25, 2000
NOW 18, USA TODAY SHOWS THAT INNOVATION CAN PAY
In 2018, a look back may see a similar blazing of trails on the Web
Oct. 9, 2000
ARE FREE DAILIES POINTING THE WAY TO A WEALTHY FUTURE?
Advertisers and readers seem to like something publishers don’t
Oct. 23, 2000
EARNINGS REPORTS BRING OUT ANALYST-PUBLISHER DISPARITIES
Well-to-do quarter still doesn’t satisfy those on the sidelines
Nov. 6, 2000
FAS-FAX BRINGS EARLY WARNING OF STORM CLOUDS
Semi-annual look at circulation shows the trend down continues
Nov. 20, 2000
REVIEW OF 1999 CONFIRMS JUST HOW GOOD A YEAR IT WAS
But Veronis Suhler report also shows newspapers trail 10 other media
Dec. 4, 2000
A HOLIDAY STOCKING BURSTING WITH WORD OF ADS AND EXAMINER
As 2000 winds down, a potpourri of thoughts ends a pivotal year
Jan. 1, 2001
STOCK OPTIONS MAY BE THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
Opening the door to holding a share of Knight Ridder may keep staff
Jan. 15, 2001
AS THE JOA TURNS: SEATTLE, SALT LAKE SOAP OPERAS
Publishing pacts come in two flavors and too many partners
Jan. 29, 2001
NEW BUSH TEAM MAY HERALD AN END TO MULTIMEDIA RULES
Cross-ownership restrictions could be dropped as early as next year
Feb. 12, 2001
INDUSTRY LOOKING MORE LIKE GENERAL ECONOMY EVERY DAY
Earnings reports reflect tribulations in many sectors, hint at the future
Feb. 26, 2001
HISTORY SHOWS A RETICENCE TO RUSH TO EMBRACE THE NEW
Executives who now downplay convergence need only look back
March 12, 2001
SLOWING ECONOMY IS TAKING ITS GRIM TOLL ON PUBLISHERS
Sharp decline in help wanteds hits Mercury News; layoffs promised
March 26, 2001
SAN JOSE SITUATION CASTS HARSH LIGHT ON PAPERS
Publisher quit rather than lay off staff; now, what to tell Wall Street?
April 9, 2001
TALK OF LAYOFFS HINTS AT A FISCAL ATTITUDE GONE AWRY
Impulse to cut costs should run second to gaining new revenues
April 23, 2001
EARNINGS REPORTS HERALD TROUBLED TIMES FOR PUBLISHERS
Falling attendance at trade shows also is a sign of a slowing industry
May 7, 2001
NUMBERS TELL TOO MANY STORIES OF WOE RIGHT NOW
Circulation down, newsprint up – and layoffs are accumulating
May 21, 2001
SAD TO SAY, WE HAVE A NEW WORD FOR OUR TIMES: ALITERACY
People don’t have time to read? Not so – they’re just making a choice
June 4, 2001
SO, WALL STREET DOESN’T LIKE THE PURE-PLAY COMPANY?
A review of stock prices over the last two years shows otherwise
June 18, 2001
OWNERSHIP RULES CHANGE DOESN’T HINGE ON THE WEB
Local voices have outlets, even if major companies dominate traffic
July 2, 2001
FORESIGHT A RARE COMMODITY DURING DOWNTURN
Abysmal turnout at NEXPO only one indicator of publishers’ myopia
July 16, 2001
CONTENT ACCESS FEES MAY HINGE ON CHANGING HABITS
Webvan, eYada failures show how difficult it can be to blaze new trails
July 30, 2001
SUMMER’S DOG DAYS BRING NEW DELAYS ON OWNERSHIP ISSUE
Newspapers are not likely to see relief, thanks to a hard-line bill
Aug. 27, 2001
DEATH OF INDUSTRY STANDARD HIGHLIGHTS PAIN OF AD SALES DIP
Trade magazines suffer declines far worse than do newspapers
Sept. 10, 2001
BUYING DAILIES WILL BE A TOUGH PLAN TO CARRY OUT
Plenty of potential buyers of U.S. newspapers; not many sellers
Sept. 24, 2001
ATTACKS BRING OUT BEST IN PAPERS, WORSEN OUR WOES
Ad revenues take a hit, and stock market shows its displeasure, too
Oct. 8, 2001
MEDIA STOCKS SURPRISE IN A TIME OF BRUTAL RESULTS
All together, 13 publicly traded companies outperform S&P
Oct. 22, 2001
IN THE NICC OF TIME: AP BUYS NAA’S AD PLACEMENT SERVICE
News cooperative will incorporate ad orders into AdSEND service
Nov. 5, 2001
GAUGING SUCCESS A NEW WAY PRESENTS SOME PITFALLS
NAA’s embrace of media index puts ABC’s reports in a new position
Nov. 19, 2001
AN ON-LINE GOAL IS REACHED, THANKS TO ONE FIRM’S VISION
Steady growth of Knight Ridder’s Real Cities unites many players
Dec. 3, 2001
OCTOBER REVENUE FIGURES, NEW CUTS CONFIRM RECESSION
Privately held companies now also forced to find more economies
Jan. 1, 2002
FAMILY PUBLISHING SHOWS VALUE OF A CERTAIN EDUCATION
Many executives would benefit from a few months in ‘publisher’s school’
Jan. 14, 2002
BIG TICKET PROJECTS GO AHEAD, SHOWING INDUSTRY RESILIENCE
Printing facilities, technology-buys show publishers more confident
Jan. 28, 2002
MEETINGS REFLECT INDUSTRY’S ANXIETIES AS WELL AS ITS HOPES
NAA’s sessions on marketing and technology are worlds apart
Feb. 11, 2002
BEHIND STOCK’S UPSWING LIE SOME INTRIGUING FIGURES
As McClatchy Co. touches 52-week high, low figures are standouts
Feb. 25, 2002
FCC RULES LIMITING CROSS-OWNERSHIP APPEAR TO BE DOOMED
Court ends ban of cable-and-TV one-market ownership, 35 percent rule
March 11, 2002
ECONOMIC GREMLINS PLAGUING INDUSTRY WILL HANG ON, AND ON
Positive signs for other sectors are not carrying over to publishing
March 25, 2002
THIS YEAR, PULITZER SEASON IS INSPIRING SOME BAD BEHAVIOR
Opinion piece in WSJ tears into Seattle Times as papers compete
April 8, 2002
POCKETFUL OF NOTES, FROM FCC TO FUTURE OF FREE WEB NEWS
As go television duopolies, so likely will go cross-ownership
April 22, 2002
YES, VIRGINIA, THERE MAY NEED TO BE A SANTA CLAUS
New New York Sun is welcome, but its survival may be a gift
May 6, 2002
TALLYING UP AN INDUSTRY’S UPS AND DOWNS IS A DOWNER
Its value elusive, readership gains credibility as unit of measurement
May 20, 2002
WHAT’S IN A NUMBER? BAD NEWS, IF IT’S HELP WANTED REVENUES
Recruitment’s fall of 38.4 percent in first quarter marks a seven-year low
June 3, 2002
TO RUSSIA, WITH LOVE: EXPORTING MEDIA FREEDOM, FINANCE
U.S. publishers, broadcasters seek changes before investing
June 17, 2002
STRAWS IN THE WIND SIGNAL SHIFT IN ECONOMIC FORTUNES
Expectations rise with TV ad sales, stock offering, newsprint hopes
July 1, 2002
NEXPO SURVIVES FIRST ROUND OF DELICATE SURGERY
Trade show to combine with annual seminar; patient still critical
July 15, 2002
THE FUTURE OF NEWS IS BLOGGING, AND OTHER FUTURIST FAUX PAS
Newspapers will remain valued for fairness and thoroughness
July 29, 2002
TALK OF SELLING FREEDOM: OLD STORY WITH A NEW FAMILY
Public display of split nothing new, but spin elements add curious note
Aug. 26, 2002
ENRON BITES BACK BUT DON’T LET IT CHANGE POLICIES
Dispute over newsprint hedges shouldn’t preclude deals in the future
Sept. 9, 2002
CHANGES AT PAPERS PUT TV NEWS AT A LOSS FOR DIRECTION
Family’s sale of properties prompt Bay Area video news free-for-all
Sept. 23, 2002
HELLO, PRICE, GOOD-BYE COLUMBUS: DISPATCH TO CHARGE
$4.95 web fee for nonsubscribers may be small, but trend is building
Oct. 7, 2002
NEWSPAPER STOCKS DID QUITE WELL OVER LAST TWO YEARS
$1000 ‘invested’ in media stocks in 2000 has gained 26.2 percent
Oct. 21, 2002
CAN NEWSPAPER QUALITY AND PROFITS COEXIST?
Symposium brings together heavyweights to ponder question