Circulation might not be as low if the papers would stick to reporting news, and leave commentary to the editorial page. Even the younger people – 20-somethings- see it if their comments at my favorite watering hole are an indication. Most seem to use the morning paper for the comics, crossword and movie schedules and ignore the “news” sections.
Around 20 years ago the Chicago Tribune bought both our morning and afternoon papers. They soon closed the afternoon paper leaving only the morning paper – which they use to “educate” us poor dumb Southern Redneck Republicans in the Right Way of Thinking.
My wife and I only buy a Sunday dead tree legacy media. We look at the ads and for teh tv schedule. Beyond that it is only cheap packing material.
never; remember that most journalism students choose the profession to "change the world" which obviously means transferring income through law and government no matter how inefficient.