Serving to Inform

Local newspapers are often the only news organizations to cover local politics, business and other community affairs in a reasonably comprehensive way. Trouble is, hometown newspapers across the country are in desperate financial trouble, and the Los Angeles Times is no exception. After numerous rounds of cuts to the newsroom budget, city leaders are wondering whether local ownership may be better for the city than ownership by the Chicago-based Tribune Corporation. NPR reports.

Questions...

•How does a local newspaper serve the people of its community? How do people benefit from it?

•Which is worse: A far-off corporate owner that doesn't care about the community, or a local billionaire with a political agenda?

•Where do you get your news? How could newspapers become more relevant to your lives?

•How can serious local news be made profitable?