After a four-year holiday, I’ve decided to renew contact on the premise that the news, or what’s left of it, tempts me to think there still are a few ideas to circulate in the blogosphere. The latest round of blood-letting at the Los Angeles Times comes as no surprise. Sam Zell’s slash and burn tactics are symptomatic of a problem much worse than one mogul strangling a quality newspaper. Coupled with the brutal staff reductions at the Times and other newspapers across the country are the program cutbacks in television news, public broadcasting and national public radio. Their financial support from foundations and corporate givers is beginning to dry up.  While the public may not realize it yet, as the availability of substantive journalism dries up, so too will the appetite for important news. The consequences are obvious. Wrapped in one package as the public is denied access to alternative sources of information is a frightening threat to democracy.
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Welcome back to the blogosphere, Murray!
I’m most concerned about what — if any — rhyme or reason lay behind the cuts at LAT. Every time Zell says, “we’re not going to lessen the quality of xxxx” he does just that.
As the paper turns to ash, hopefully the best and most driven among the goldmine of talented journos being laid off will find more rewarding and meaningful work.