Why American Newspapers Gave Away the Future

Book excerpt: As the internet mushroomed in the 1990s and information became technologically omnipresent, one traditional source of news and analysis began to flounder: the great American newspaper. In the last two decades the decline of large city papers in the United States has been precipitous and shocking. The reasons behind this fall are still not clearly understood, particularly by those within the newspaper industry. The newspapers' response to their problems has also been called into question, especially the dilution of content and the reduction of staffs. And there is growing concern that a democratic republic without a vigorous press augurs poorly for an informed electorate and a healthy society. Richard Tofel's considerable experience as a newspaper executive gives his assessment of these events an insider's perspective. His piece is filled with fresh insights and astute conclusions.