News

November 20, 2009

Connor: Papers here to stay

At a roundtable, area journalism leaders offer insight into the future of print media.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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JENKINS TWP. – Richard L. Connor, editor and publisher of The Times Leader, on Thursday evening scoffed at the notion that newspapers are going away, calling predictions of the imminent death of print journalism “preposterous.”

Connor was one of three area newspaper publishers who appeared on local public television station WVIA-TV’s “State of Pennsylvania.”

The show posed the question – “Are we losing our newspapers?” – to Connor, Daniel Haggerty, publisher of the The Citizens’ Voice and Bernard A. Oravec, publisher of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, to answer from a regional perspective.

Host WVIA President Bill Kelly cited instances of declining circulation of several “major market” newspapers across the United States.

“For years, people have predicted the downfall of newspapers,” Kelly read from a prepared script. “Are we getting close to the end, or is it just a period of change? According to the Oct. 28, 2009, issue of Newsweek, ‘in 10 years your morning newspaper will be as quaint as a Milton Berle TV show.’ How are our local newspapers faring in this turbulent time and what is in their future?”

Kelly also cited recent circulation figures that show impressive growth for both The Times Leader and Citizens’ Voice/Standard Speaker.

“Why is Wilkes-Barre apparently the exception to the national norm?” Kelly asked.

“Newspapers will be around for a long time,” Connor said. “All of the declining papers mentioned are in big-city metropolitan markets and they have lost touch with their communities and they have been poorly run.”

Connor noted that Wilkes-Barre is one of very few cities in the country with two independently owned, competing newspapers.

“Our journalism attracts readers,” Connor said. “That’s just not found in big cities.”

Haggerty said the Northeastern Pennsylvania region is unique. He said it is not a coincidence that the growth seen in his company’s Luzerne County newspapers can be directly attributed to the ongoing corruption scandal.

“People turn to us because they trust us,” Haggerty said. “We’re going after the stories and we offer comprehensive coverage.”

Oravec said the key to success of small to mid-size papers is “local, local, local.”

All three publishers agreed that although online editions of their product aren’t moneymakers, they are necessary in today’s world.

“We have a strong Internet component, but we’re in the newspaper business,” Connor said. “We have to do a better job and stop saying we’re being hurt by the Internet.”

Callers asked several questions and a few put the heat on Haggerty, who took them in stride and answered them with clear points.

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