Newspapers thriving, not dying

One of the modern conceits in America is the idea that ink-and-paper newspapers are fast going the way of buggy whips. People say this because we currently are in an advertising recession, circulation has declined and some big newspaper companies are in bankruptcy.

But let me assure you, newspapers are not dying. In fact, even in these bad economic times (thanks, Mr. President -- you pick which one!), newspapers chug along delivering the news to doorsteps every day. And people love it.

If newspapers have a problem it has more to do with the Byzantine accounting organization (Audit Bureau of Circulation) newspapers use to count readers, coupled with debt too many newspapers took on during the go-go years.

The Review-Journal didn't take on debt, and while this recession has been ugly, we're in no danger of ceasing publication or heading to bankruptcy court. In fact, our new paid weekly newspaper in Boulder City is in its third week of existence and we're closing in on 2,000 paid readers, more than half of which have paid in advance for a year. Not too shabby for a dying industry, eh?

And periodically, I get outstanding letters that reconfirm the need for a good newspaper. Consider the letter I received this morning from Donna and Bill Martin, long-time Review-Journal subscribers who retired in Southern Utah:

"This is just a sappy note to let you know how much we enjoy and appreciate you. As past residents of Las Vegas of forty years we just took you for granted. You were there every morning at our door and that's how we started our day. When we decided to retire to Southern Utah the first thing we checked was to see if your paper could be delivered. No! We even checked to see if our local paper, The Specrum, would join forces with you and deliver your paper also. Oh well. Bless my husband. He drives to the Chevron station every morning for your paper. It really is the very best and we didn't even mind the price increase.

"We've just made our yearly trip to Vegas for friends, shopping and gambling. The free room and board at the Santa Fe was nice but to our surprise the R-J was hung on our door every morning. That was the best treat of the trip! We love the R-J and all the editorials. We truly appreciate and value you. We sincerely hope you can maintain and survive."

That kind of loyalty, ladies and gentlemen, reinforces the thriving business of newspapers. I wonder how many letters like that Google gets?