I don't know how you view print journalism, what with all the anti-media complaints that go on around here. And I am not in disagreement. But I am convinced that if human beings are ever convinced to let go of hard copy and be force-migrated to electronic versions of history, we will be entering the digital dark ages for real.
Printing presses had historically been linked to political parties and thus political views since our nation's inception. That's where "freedom of the press" came from. But once advertisement and the profit motive started driving journalistic choices, well, those printing presses went to hell in a handbasket. And then, when our corporate laws were changed to require a profit so that corporations were beholden to their investors, this was the death knell of the Main Stream Media, which I think most of us can agree has become a despicable shadow of its former self. Such that, when hearing of the financial dire straits of our nation's newspapers, many of us can't wait for their early demise.
So what do I read in my Sunday morning paper but a proclamation from my member of Congress, Jim McDermott (Baghdad Jim, bless his heart, safest seat in Washington) that he's going to see about how to save print journalism (more after the jump).
As some of you might be following, my town Seattle has two local papers, one of which (the Seattle Post-Intelligencer) is up for sale. I know we're spoiled, very few cities have two dailies, but having come from Madison, Wisconsin, home of the "liberal" Capital Times as well as the "big business" Wisconsin State Journal, I grew up appreciating multiple perspectives. In addition, having had a front row seat to the union-busting ways of the Seattle Times, I am concerned that such antics will probably go unchecked without the pressure for honest journalism exerted by the PI.
So when I read about how Congressman McDermott was taking up the project of reviewing ways to allow our press to be less beholden to investors, in his article in our Sunday paper today Don't go down without a fight, let's just say I was very excited to read the following:
I don't pretend to have the answer, but I am starting to ask questions. In talking to people in the past few days, I have been told that the Independent and Guardian newspapers in the United Kingdom (great papers, by the way, that I have my staff read and clip for me every day) both operate on a nonprofit business model. I've also heard that at least one major newspaper in the U.S. does something similar. It could mean that the tax code might have a direct bearing on developing a new business model for the newspaper business nationwide.
As a senior member of House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over the U.S. tax code, I intend to find out. I've instructed my staff to begin researching the issue and I will release information as it becomes available in coming weeks.
Can you imagine, openly opinionated, blatantly biased, open, honest journalism? No more of this pretend stuff of "Shape of the Earth: Views Differ", in order not to offend advertisers! No more profit motive necessary for a daily... Is it possible , Batman?
Give Congressman McDermott a big shout-out for being so cool, at 202-225-3106 (DC office), or email at http://www.house.gov/...