U.S. newspapers find allies in Washington

Posted by Simon Day on March 19, 2009 at 5:12 AM

The United States newspaper industry has found support in Washington in Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Attorney General Eric Holder.

Pelosi sent a letter Monday to Holder urging him to consider the financial situation of newspapers when reviewing requests for mergers and takeovers, reports MSNBC. "I think it's important for this nation to maintain a healthy newspaper industry. So to the extent that we have to look at our enforcement policies and conform them to the realities that that industry faces, that's something that I'm going to be willing to do," Holder told reporters in response to Pelosi, according to Reuters.

Pelosi said she fears a complete conversion to online news outlets would affect the standards and civic participation in democracy. "Our newspapers and news media must be able to engage in investigative journalism and to analyze significant issues, so citizens are informed of public policy issues and public officials are held accountable," Pelosi said in her letter to Holder.

The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy, chaired by Rep. Hank Johnson, is set to take up the issue of antitrust law and its affect on the future of newspapers soon, MSNBC reported.