'San Jose Mercury News' Employees Launch Web Site to Save Paper

Posted Thursday, March 16, 2006 12:00 am

By: E&P Staff In an effort to help save the San Jose Mercury News -- one of the 12 papers to be sold by McClatchy -- employees launched SaveTheMerc.com.

"Silicon Valley deserves a daily newspaper equal to the ambitions and accomplishments of its readers," according to a statement on the site.

Visitors are asked to sign a statement in support that any prospective owner should have high standards. "We do not want the sale of the Mercury news to lead to a smaller, less ambitious newspaper."

The site has amassed the names of 25 leaders and residents in Silicon Valley that have made a show of support. They include former Silicon Valley Congressman Tom Campbell and former Mayor Susan Hammer.

"Community members are concerned about the future of the Mercury News and they are showing they care on this Web site," said Becky Bartindale, president of the San Jose Newspaper Guild, in a statement. "Journalism is a sacred trust, and that is something Silicon Valley leaders and the paper's readers, advertisers and employees understand."

As part of the campaign, employees are purchasing key word ads, using Knight Ridder, McClatchy, and Mercury News on Google.

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'San Jose Mercury News' Employees Launch Web Site to Save Paper

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