Tuesday 21 April 2009

Kerry to review US newspaper crisis

Former US Presidential candidate John Kerry will hold hearings in Washington, D.C., next week to review the economic problems facing the newspaper industry, The Boston Globe has reported.
The hearings will be at the Senate Commerce Committee, and are set to begin April 30. They come at a time when numerous newspapers are in bankruptcy protection or seeking cost-savings, including the Globe which has threatened to close or sell if certain union concessions are not made.
Kerry, chairman of a Commerce subcommittee, "moved to spotlight the financial plight of newspapers after The New York Times Co. threatened earlier this month to shut down The Boston Globe unless its unions agree to $20 million in cost concessions, including pay and benefit cuts.
"America's newspapers are struggling to survive -- and while there will be serious consequences in terms of the lives and financial security of the employees involved, including hundreds at the Globe, there will also be serious consequences for our democracy where diversity of opinion and strong debate are paramount," Kerry wrote in a letter sent to union leaders on Friday, according to the Globe.
Story via Editor & Publisher

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