Existing comment:
2005 EXTRA!
Death of Two Dynasties:
Joseph Pulitzer started what became a dynasty in 1872 when he bought the St. Louis Post. His expansion into New York City and his ensuing circulation battles there with William Randolph Hearst made Pulitzer one of the foremost newsmen of his time. But it was dwindling interest and involvement by his heirs -- not profit-margin pressures -- that eventually led to the sale of Pulitzer properties to Lee Enterprises in 2005.
Press In Peril:
Knight Ridder once one of the largest newspaper groups in the nation, vanished in 2006 after investor complaints about sipping profits led to its sale. Knight Ridder's demise symbolized the troubles brought by demands for high profits. In some cases, that pressure led to fraudulently inflated circulation figures; elsewhere, as managers cut payrolls, newsroom layoffs and buyouts became commonplace. The events spawned pessimism about the long-term future of newspapers.
Plugging Leaks:
In 2005, the Washington Post and The New York Times became the focus of a White House criminal investigation into who leaked classified information to them about secret programs developed to combat terrorism. In separate Page One articles, the Post revealed the existence of CIA prisons, while the Times reported on a domestic eavesdropping program, despite White House objections. The leaking and publishing of classified information resurrected an age-old conflict between freedom of the press and national security. Do leaks help the enemy? How much information does the public need to know? The debate continues. |