End Times for the AJC?

Things are tough in the newspaper industry. More people are going online for their news, and subscriptions to the print editions are going down across the board.

As an Atlanta resident, I've subscribed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ever since I moved to the area in 1992. Over the past few years, though, the paper has gotten thinner and thinner. The business section is now merged with the A section news, arts and living have been combined, and they are relying more and more on wire services to fill content, rather than replace out-going reporters.

So, today, after hearing of more newspapers across the country shutting down or moving to online only modes, I wonder when this will happen to the AJC. My heart hopes not for a long while, but my head tells me "pretty soon".

I know some people don't like the AJC - they claim it is too liberal or whatever, but while I will agree that the editorial board is more liberal than conservative, please tell me how that impacts reporting on the Atlanta Thrashers or a piece about an upcoming festival? If we lose the AJC, who will hold our local elected leaders accountable? (Please don't say bloggers, we're not reporters for the most part.)

So, is there anything to be done? Sure, you could get a subscription to the paper - the more subscribers, the more people will want to advertise - and advertising is the life blood of a paper. The subscription fees pale in comparison, but they are needed to make advertising a viable marketing outlet.

Stay tuned - this could get ugly...