Lauren Rich Fine weighs in with a proposal that some U.S. newspapers stop struggling and simply declare themselves not-for-profits in order to stave off elimination.
The move would qualify them for philanthropic funds and Fine believes there are supporters who would ante the money.
The argument has its merits, but there are some clear drawbacks. The principal one: The newspaper isn't alone in a market. Why should its competitors be fighting for audiences and profitability against an entity with no such motivation because it is underwritten? There are many others.
