Why do newspapers stop operation?

ITIS SAD to learn that the Visayan Daily Star, a community newspaper in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, for 38 years is closing shop. There can be only one reason. It lacks advertising support from the community. When we were staying in Makati a Legislative, the 3) Judiciary, and the few years ago, because of a book that 4) Fourth Estate where the media we have written and published (“My belongs. You will note that the first Brother-in-Law & Other Stories”), as three departments is part of the well as our credential as a columnist government and only the Fourth of News, we became a member Estate is outside. of the Publishers Association of the Newspapers as a member of media Panay Philippines (PAPI) and attended its must exist for some time and prove monthly meetings. their independence as a member There are very f ew daily of the Fourth Estate, and this is the newspapers in the country outside trying part. They have to develop of Metro Manila and we are proud to sources of income in advertisements show our credential as a columnist in from private business and industry. our local daily, News. This takes time, as they have to prove We found out that the problem first that they are being read and

Panay of most newspapers is advertising circulated in the community. support from the community. Why In fact some newspapers, at the is this so? start, were just given out for free until

The reason i s t hat many they develop a wide readership to newspapers failed to perform their attract advertisers. They must prove role of being part of the Fourth Estate that they are being read. and are not so independent. That is why they go after fresh news

In a democratic society we know and happenings in the community that there are four “departments”. and should be a good “informer” of We have the 1) Executive, the 2) news every day. Views and opinions about them also help attract readers.

There are four social sectors in the community. We have three sectors in government — the Executive, Legislative and the Judiciary. The fourth sector is the Press which our people must support as a defender of their rights. If we can do this, then readership and advertising will follow.

Without advertising on its pages, the price per copy sold cannot even pay for printing and circulation expenses, and the newspaper will fold up.

As we found out while a member of PAPI, many cities and provinces cannot publish a daily newspaper for lack of advertising support.

*** Cat and Dog Life – If people lead a cat and dog life, they are always arguing.

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Newspapers as members of media must exist for some time and prove their independence as members of the Fourth Estate, and this is the trying part. They have to develop sources of income in advertisements from private business and industry.

GEM OF THOUGHT

PN