Can Google save newspapers?

I most definitely agree with Mary, but I have to add one thing myself. I believe half the problem of the declining demand for print news papers is the American public’s dis-approval of the press altogether. More and more recently has this issue been highlighted by Sarah Palin and the obvious bias Major Media companies have toward their political agenda that no one can even tell the right way up anymore. When reading a newspaper, or even listening to a news story for that matter, becomes a struggle to find the unbiased truth between the obvious spin, people lose interest. If the New York Times or USA Today can figure out how to finally report stories that havnt been so washed of actual facts, maybe they will find the ability to sell more advertising space. And only then will people have interest in picking up a copy of the paper for 75 cents a day.

Adam: I read your interview with Eric Schmidt from the hardcopy of Fortune magazine. I’d rather have a hardcopy of anything than the internet simply because I like to get the entrie picture the internet does not provide. The fact that newspapers are dyng merely, because they cannot generate the revenue they once did from advertising is a great downfall the public will eventually regret. Yes, the younger generation loves to be on the internet, but even my 23-year old daughter regrets the newspaper not being there for her to read for the “FULL” story. The fact that newspapers have gotten away from “investigative” stories has destroyed the American public’s belief they could count on getting complete and unbiased information. They have turned to fluff reporting and insulted American intelligence. This is what has turned the public away from buying newspapers in the first place. Of course,the decline in circulation has then decreased advertising revenue. If newspapers took the time to “MARKET” their newspapers then the interest would be there to purchase the paper in the first place. I worked at a newspaper for 16 years so I understand the cycle of the newspaper. If Mr. Schmidt is interested in having newspapers survive, Google could easily “market” newspapers. Their voice is so strong that the public would naturally gravitate toward their suggestions simply they are Google. The 4 “P’s” of marketing are Product, Price, Place and Promotion. Why companies no longer promote their product – newspapers is beyond me.