Creative destruction – the dismantling of an outdated industry and the emergence of a new one – is often difficult for the folks employed by the industry in peril. Many journalists are understandably worried about the future of their profession. Some news organizations are embracing their changing information marketplace. Just this week, Google announced that it will partner with the Washington Post and the New York Times to launch a new, free news service featuring up-to-the-minute content. Nevertheless, many prominent media voices are calling on Americans to take “collective responsibility” for saving journalism. How do they propose we save it? By demanding that U.S. taxpayers support and subsidize struggling news organizations.
Former Washington Post editor Leonard Downie Jr., John Nichols and Robert McChesney of advocacy group Free Press, and U.S. Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) are just a few of the voices that have come forward in favor of a newspaper bailout in one form or another. Proposals floating around in Washington include direct tax subsidies, university-supported public news organizations, and even surcharges on Internet users.
