A win for American journalism
Last week's decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission to eliminate newsprint tariffs on Canadian newsprint was a relief to American newspapers. Whatever publishers may think about the future of print journalism, an up to 30 percent increase on the price of newsprint imported from Canada made it even harder to keep putting a paper out.
Moving forward, newspaper companies and families can be proud of their united and emphatic campaign against the tariffs. And we can all be grateful to senators, congressmen and other politicians across the country who testified or spoke out against the move. That doesn't mean they get a break on objective news coverage, but we appreciate their commitment to a free and independent news media in any format.
Here are some excerpts from editorials, news stories and statements on the decision:
MOREMembers of Congress urge ITC reversal of newsprint tariffs today
Seventeen members of Congress were scheduled to testify today before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to defend 600,000 American workers in the newspaper, retail, printing and publishing industries, along with the millions of Americans who read local newspapers.
MORESurvey on newsprint tariffs due by July 3
SNPA needs every publisher's help with an important survey as we – and our partners with Stop Tariffs on Printers & Publishers (STOPP) – collectively fight the newsprint tariffs on Canadian newsprint.
We ask that you answer as many questions as possible by July 3. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TariffImpact2018
MORELocal newspapers fear tariffs could cripple them
The Tampa Bay Times, Florida's largest newspaper, said this week that it is cutting about 50 jobs. Publisher Paul Tash told CNN Money that tariffs have added an additional $3 million in expenses that the paper can't absorb.
In this article, see how tariffs also are affecting newspapers published by Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. and Boone Newspapers.
Read more from CNN Money
MOREGalveston paper uses in-house ads to ask readers to get involved
The Galveston County Daily News is running a series of ads calling on its readers to contact the governor, their U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative to help fight the newsprint tariff that is being imposed on newspapers across the country.
And, in an editorial published at the end of March, the paper's editorial board outlined how these tariffs will hurt readers. "Newspapers are vital to the communities they serve. Everyone relies on a newspaper to tell the local stories, both good and bad. We report on city and county governments, schools, crime, sports, weddings, anniversaries, births and obituaries.
"Nobody else reports on our community with the depth and breadth of this newspaper – but it's not an easy business, and these tariffs will make it even harder."
In a recent news article The Daily News noted that newspapers across the country are finding supplies short and prices spiking.
To meet these challenges, the paper told readers that they may start noticing a few changes "to navigate this period of great disruption."
MORENow available: Ads to fight newsprint tariffs
The News Media Alliance and the Stop Tariffs on Printers & Publishers (STOPP) Coalition have provided several new ads for newspapers to run in their publications. The ads educate readers on the negative consequences of the recent tariffs imposed on Canadian imports of uncoated groundwood paper, which includes newsprint used by newspapers.
Please run these ads in your publications and encourage your readers to stand up to protect their access to news, as well as jobs in their own community. The ads are editable, enabling you to insert your own newspaper's logo into them.
MOREU.S. Senator for New York says duties on special paper from Canada will hurt newspapers
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York urged the U.S. Department of Commerce on Friday, Jan. 26, to reconsider its recent decision to impose duties on the raw material – uncoated groundwood paper from Canada – used by already at-risk newspaper companies.
Schumer said Canadian groundwood paper is used by small to large newspapers, and if the federal government pursues large duties, newspapers, which already operate on tight margins, would suffer, causing workers to lose jobs and diminishing the flow of top-notch journalism.
Read more from U.S. Senator Charles Schumer
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We have a new website:
www.newspapers.org
America's Newspapers – the association formed from the merger of the Inland Press Association and Southern Newspaper Publishers Association – was ceremonially launched October 6 at its inaugural annual meeting in Chicago.
Dean Ridings will be its chief executive officer, effective Nov. 11.
America's Newspapers unites two of the oldest press associations to form one of the industry's largest advocates for newspapers and the many benefits to their communities, civil life, freedom of expression and democracy.
"Newspaper journalism provides a voice for the voiceless, challenges elected officials, shines a light on government, calls for change when change is needed, and exposes corruption and injustice," said Chris Reen, the president and publisher of The Gazette in Colorado Springs who will serve as the first president of America's Newspapers.
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New association launches today;
SNPA-Inland merger is complete
A new association formed by the consolidation of SNPA and the Inland Press Association was officially launched today. The name of the new association will be announced on Oct. 6 at the association's first annual meeting in Chicago.
Edward VanHorn, SNPA's executive director, said that the merger unites two of the country's oldest press associations into a progressive new organization that will use its bigger and more powerful voice to be an unapologetic advocate for newspapers.
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