The scribe vs the advertiser
The Al-Hayat newspaper stopped publication a few days ago, after more than 70 years on the road. Many international newspapers have closed business before it, as did the Al-Safir and other long-standing Lebanese newspapers, most of which relied on Gulf money and the revenues of some advertisements to continue publishing.
A newspaper which is published every morning — to maintain its independence — needs to achieve a minimum income from advertising and subscriptions to cover the costs of its publication, and achieve something for its publisher. But to achieve independence under the power of advertising is not easy and therefore any criticism of publishers that they seek to make a profit at the expense of other important and vital matters is unfair.
As far as I know, there is no completely independent newspaper, and is not subjected to the whims of anyone, or they do not bow to any kind of government or other pressures, this is, in my view, a fantasy because the newspaper must achieve profits to maintain a minimum of independence, but not all.
A friend says he met a newspaper owner, and asked him why some writers get upset and move from one newspaper to another, or goes on strike or stop writing forever, and as a result the followers of that particular newspaper miss the column of their favorite writer. The owner responded by saying whoever feels upset or stops writing is free to do so, this is often sustainable, but if the advertiser is upset for any reason, this is worrisome unlike columnists or employees.
What makes the newspaper continue its publication is its financial resources and not its principles and ideals of its owners and anyone who does not see through (the task of publishing a newspaper) will then know to what the importance should be given — writers or editors or sources of the newspaper or advertiser or regulatory agencies, and so on? There is no meaning to the principles and ideals if there is no one who gets the credit or ability to keep them alive.
The famous physicist Albert Einstein said: Everything in life is relative. As for what is said that the writer is considered a precious currency and history and pride of the newspaper, and should not be forgotten at all is meaningless talk, there is no one that cannot be dispensed with at all, and this did not happen in the history of any newspaper, whether in the east or west.
Yes, there are limits, and there are eminent personalities but that does not mean that the millions that have invested in the publication of a newspaper, and secured the life and future of hundreds of its employees can be forsaken for a writer, no matter how important he is, and if he is dispensed with the newspaper will often not stop publishing.
Logic and reason say that it is easier to dispense with the writer rather than stop the newspaper from publication, no matter how many followers or supporters he has who are influenced by his opinions or views .