Financial woes for traditional media, especially newspapers

Drop in Ad Revenue Raises Tough Question for Newspapers - New York Times:

"Mark Fratrik, an economist at BIA Financial Network, said the February results were “not a blip on the screen.”

"“It’s fundamental, what’s going on with newspapers,” he said. “The younger groups, the most desired demographics, are just not reading them. They aren’t listening to traditional radio either, but I tell radio broadcasters that they’re lucky not to be in newspapers.”"

"...

"Newspaper circulation nationally reached its peak in 1984, when there were 1,600 morning and afternoon paid dailies with a circulation of 63 million. With the rise of cable television and, later, the Internet, newspaper circulation began to decline. Today there are 1,450 paid dailies with a circulation of 53 million. The losses have accelerated over the last two years."

Considering the sad state of American education, it is hardly any wonder that newspaper circulation is dropping like a stone. People who can't read don't read newspapers. Add to that the influx of immigrants who are not literate in English and the schools' enchant for teaching their children in their native language first.

The newspapers have been cheerleaders for all the fads that have messed up the schools, so they may be getting what they deserve. But, in the process, they have debased our politics as well, and that harms us all.