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Shop Talk - September 6

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-984903.mp3

Macomb, IL – The panelists discuss the consequences to communities when newspaper consolidation results in a few regional newspapers instead of local papers.

Panelist Bill Knight is concerned that such consolidations will harm small communities, much as they're harmed when the local post office or school closes. He thinks the change will impact news judgment.

Larger newspapers already try to cover wider geographic areas through the use of different editions geared toward certain areas or zones. Gatehouse, which owns many downstate Illinois newspapers, has thus far consolidated production sites but has not consolidated reporting staffs.

Radio and TV stations already struggle with the idea of covering a larger geographic area because of the reach of their signals. Panelist Rich Egger believes a wider region can be served by focusing on certain types of news coverage, such as local government and the arts.