A classic one one simple answer to a very complex problem. A real reporter would have done better research and provided more insight. Something as simple as going to the production floor. In modern times the cover price has not even covered the cost of paper, let alone the ink and labor to produce the product. So the non-news related items were in fact a drain on profit, but provided the only "real " product of the organiztion. News and editorial content have been a medium to place between the ads so that people would see the ads. The faults lie in the solidifying of large chains, the lack of sight by managers , and greed. NO ONE has paid for collection of news except advertisers and as the NY Times discovered most people won't pay for content. To keep throwing that idea up will not only kill the newspapers, but will destroy the underlieing organization.