Commentary: Jim Martin: Unlikely political allies are trying to save local newspapers — and you can help

Newspaper publishers have had to lay off thousands of journalists and close many papers — particularly small, local publications — in the past 10-to-15 years. The numbers are staggering, forecasting the possible implosion of the nation’s beleaguered newspaper industry.

In 2020 alone, 300 U.S. newspapers closed, creating many news media deserts that have no coverage.

One primary reason this is happening is because Facebook and Google are decimating newspaper advertising revenue, which undermines a free and diverse press that normally survives primarily on subscriptions and ad revenue. Those powerful platforms have taken an alarming amount of ad revenue — it could be in the billions — as they grab news content for free from newspapers.

It’s estimated that Google has more than $135 billion in cash on its balance sheet — more than all U.S. newspapers combined.

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