Why Is Washington Singling Out Newspapers For A Tax Break Instead Of Journalism?
from the these-things-make-no-sense dept
We've discussed in the past the rather annoying tendency of some bemoaning the trouble facing newspapers (due to bad business decisions, such as taking on too much debt) of confusing "newspapers" for "journalism." They all too often assume that newspapers are the only source of journalism, when that simply isn't true. Unfortunately, it appears that politicians are guilty of the same basic fallacy. With reports that Washington State has created a special tax break for newspapers, Danny Sullivan is asking why isn't the tax break for journalism? By singling out newspapers, the politicians are effectively punishing journalists who work for other forms of media who didn't screw up their business, and rewarding the newspaper owners and management who made so many bad decisions.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: journalism, newspapers, tax break, washington
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Sounds similar to the bailout of banks, where those who were fiscally responsible are not given a hand out.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Because
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Because
Fine, then by that logic: AIG was a Slobbering Sycophant for Bush and his administration, as were many other "financial institutions".
Or maybe this isn't a Repub/Demo issue. Maybe instead it's simply an accountability/enabler issue. Seems to me there is only one issue to be decided: Do you believe in goverment bailouts. If you do, then the question of why NYT gets the bailout when other journalism outposts who didn't make bad decisions and aren't in trouble doesn't make any sense. You don't bail out the ones that are okay, you bail out the ones that are in trouble.
Or, like me, you keep government the hell out of it, and if 10 million people get laid off, so be it. Wouldn't that mean that our country/economy/etc. couldn't support having those extra 10 million people? I know its not zero sum, but perhaps this is just something we have to endure as the result of that exponential growth we've had over the past 200 years?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Because
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Because
B. Except w/that guy, I mean, c'mon
C. When are people going to learn that the difference between rep and dem in this country is nominal at best. They're both criminals.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Perhaps we are overlooking one thing...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Perhaps we are overlooking one thing...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Sry Mike no Tax Break for you.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
The squeeky wheel gets the grease
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
If it moves, tax it.
If it is moving too fast, regulate it
If it stops moving subsidize it
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No bailout for you!
Joking aside...are newspapers the only part of the journalism business failing? I don't hardly hear about broadcast or online news systems having issues monetizing their content (unless, of course, it is a newspaper with an online offering also). In that case there is something definitely wrong with print news. Technology has made the delivery of information more efficient. News on print is the inefficient(ie. slow, costly) way to deliver news these days.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: No bailout for you!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Yeah, Pay to them, More economy trouble for everyone else.
LET THEM DIE!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Decade-ago earthquakes, roads not yet repaired, and over capacity. oh my!
But yes, let's give the money away to the papers, please, because planning and saving, be it for day-to-day business, or even transportation infrastructure is so 1960s!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
You do realize the US government is run by and for the wealthy right?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Online blogs are b.s., they ARE NOT JOURNALISTS. This sure as fuck isn't... All Tech dirt does is post from other sources, and doesn't even offer indepth followup.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Another Bailout? Plus I still get to pay for the paper? Hmm
If sustained, there will undoubtedly be a Government windfall elsewhere, which will probably be made up by increasing either sales or property taxes. So it's possible I will be expected to forgo a government service I currently receive, or there will be the expectation to pay another way for it.
*And* I still get the privilege to pay for a newspaper? What a deal! Taxpayers get screwed in the front and screwed again in the back.
Well, as you know, times are tough, and I've just found a reason to cancel my Seattle Times subscription.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Punishing journalists
"the politicians are effectively punishing journalists who work for other forms of media who didn't screw up their business, and rewarding the newspaper owners and management who made so many bad decisions."
to
"the politicians are effectively punishing responsible people and rewarding irresponsible people."
Well, of course they are. That's what liberals do. Why would you expect something different?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Lost a paper...
That said, it's still quite silly.
Honestly though, I've watched my city spend money in increasingly stupid ways over the past few years... after a point you just stop being surprised. For a fun troll, ask someone from the Greater Seattle Area what they think about the city's response to replacing the Viaduct.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Corrupt Liberal Government In WA
This unwarranted tax subsidy is a naked pay-off to Seattle/Tacoma liberal print media for looking the other way for years, ignoring voter fraud, waste and malfeasance.
My Wife recently cut her subscription to Sunday only.
Sooo, I'm now actively working on getting her to dump the Seattle-Slimes entirely.
(Must think of alternate Sunday Morning activity for her.)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
It's Payback Time
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Taxpayers that were smart in their finances? Punished. Stupid in their finances? Rewarded.
Banks who were smart? Punished. Stupid? Rewarded.
Car manufacturers? Well, you get the point.
Why not print media?
Who is next?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Squeal Like A Greased Politician
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
But the paper industry is going to survive (at least one company will)
I'm sure it's just a coincidence that the individual who was responsible for getting the bill pushed through also happens to own the ONLY paper company in Washington that produces paper that meets the requirements (shipping on paper from out of state is even more costly than buying it from them, so no other options really).
So not only are we (Higher Education) getting our budget cut by almost 30% over the next 2 years (Higher Ed got the shaft in this budget, and we get to pass it on to students with a 14% per year tuition increase that I'm sure they just love), we are now required to pay a premium on 'recycled' paper just to support the failing greys port paper business (name changed to protect... who really cares... it's close enough to be recognizable for government work).
I wouldn't be surprised if this newspaper 'bailout' plan also included requirements on the type of paper that they will use for printing (that also just happens to only be available from one paper company in Washington).
Wouldn't it be great if we could all pass legislation to ensure the survival of our own businesses?
I think my tinfoil hat is too tight today, I'm getting a headache (or the rays are getting thru).....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]