[Dave W]

The link is accessabc.com. That is for the Audit Bureau of Circulations, which is the independent agency that makes the rules on how newspapers count paid papers. The agency also audits the papers, magazines, etc. that are members of ABC, which is almost all publications.

The papers in question are called "intermittent copies" and the rules governing these copies were tightened some time ago. These copies make up a small number of copies in a limited number of papers and the papers are required to list these papers as a separate line item.

[riskybiz]

Just an FYI. I've been getting free papers, two days a week for several years, which doesn't come close to my definition of "intermittent" copies.

Your response seems to infer that the publishers self-report by filling out a form, and then are subject to be audited.

All said, I'm really not qualified to judge, so I'll trust the process is credible.

I know a lot more than when I first posted.

Thank you for taking the time.