The Incredibly Shrinking Newspaper

The Seattle Times is disappearing before my very eyes.  Its size has shrunk over time and soon it will be as small as the Reader's Digest.  (This is exactly what happened to toilet paper - it has gotten narrower and narrower until pretty soon you cannot wipe with it... )  In 2001 the front page of Seattle Times was 13.5 inches wide (34.5cm), now it is 11.5 inches wide (29cm).  It feels different in your hand - as if the news inside were not weighty enough to merit a full size front page.

Helsingin Sanomat is 15.75 inches wide (40cm).  That feels substantial - almost too big to handle - after being used to the American newspapers.

Many American newspapers are in financial trouble.  They are being sold or simply just shut down.  The idea that one should make a (good, big) profit while producing news has gotten them in the situation.  They cannot compete with the internet.  I think it's time to start thinking about news as a public good, not a way to get rich.

--- T