Recently by Tom Barton

Philadelphia's two main daily newspapers are looking for a new owner as part of a plan to settle US$318 million in debt.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Wednesday that an auction is set for next week for Philadelphia Newspapers LLC,  the parent company of the Inquirer, which also owns the Philadelphia Daily News and Philly.com

U.S. newspapers continue to receive better financial news.

Moody's Investor Services on Friday announced industry earnings are improving, prompting the firm to change its outlook for the U.S. newspaper industry from "negative" to "stable." Moody's said the change reflects expectations that advertising revenue will recover over the next 12 to 18 months, but still expects ad sales to decline 5 to 10 percent this year. Ad revenue should be closer to flat at the end of the year and around a 3 to 2 percent decline in 2011, according to the announcement.

Two of Britain's top-selling newspapers will start charging for online content beginning in June.

The Times and The Sunday Times made the announcement Friday. Readers will be charged £2 for a week's subscription, or £1 for a day's access to two new sites, thetimes.co.uk and sundaytimes.co.uk. Existing subscribers to the print editions will be given free online access, according to Times Online.