The PAPER PEOPLE of PDX: Advocacy Letters Full Text

Here's our letter to Newspaper Publishers:

Dear Newspaper Publisher,

I am writing to you so I can make a case for paper—the real, flat, tangible stuff. It seems many news organizations are “looking ahead” and dreaming about the electronic future of news where paper is obsolete.

However, as a the provider of a public good—the News—you need to know that today many Americans do not have the choice between paper and the electronic future, because they are on the other side of a very real digital divide. If this divide is expanded further by removing news on paper, then a large segment of Americans will be left without the information they need to be informed voters and taxpayers.

I encourage you to avoid the elite status of information, and continue to print news on paper.

In 2008, 21% of U.S. households did not use the Internet and have never used email according to the Park Associates.

In 2007, 55% of white households had broadband, compared to 40% of minority households according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The inexpensive, easy to use, “Model T” of E-readers is still years away.

News on paper is important and still very necessary. The work you do, reporting on the important issues of our time, is a good that everyone needs access to, not just those with a computer and an Internet connection.

Your advertisers know where their audiences are, and they know paper is still the most credible place for their messages to reach wide audiences. Paper has an accessibility, a tangibility, and a credibility that has yet to be duplicated online.

Tell your advertisers that you are committed to keeping a newspaper component to news organization, because there are important audiences that can only be reached on paper.

Every taxpaying American has a right to the news. The audience is there, so lets not price them out of printed journalism. I encourage you to retain your presses and continue printing the news on paper.

Sincerely,

Here's our letter to Newspaper Advertisers:

Dear Newspaper Advertiser,

However, as a supporter of a public good—the News—you need to know that today many Americans do not have the choice between paper and the electronic future, because they are on the other side of a very real digital divide. If this divide is expanded further by removing news on paper, then a large segment of Americans will be left without the information they need to be informed voters and taxpayers.

I encourage you to avoid the elite status of information, and continue to buy advertising on actual newspaper.

In 2008, 21% of U.S. households did not use the Internet and have never used email according to the Park Associates.

In 2007, 55% of white households had broadband, compared to 40% of minority households according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The inexpensive, easy to use, “Model T” of E-readers is still years away.

News on paper is important and still very necessary. The work newsrooms do, reporting on the important issues of our time, is a good that everyone needs access to, not just those with a computer and an Internet connection.

As advertisers, you know where your audience is, and you should know that paper is still the most credible place for your messages to reach wide audiences. Paper has an accessibility, a tangibility, and a credibility that has yet to be duplicated online.

Tell your newspaper that you are committed to keep buying advertising on newsprint, because there are important audiences that you can only reach on paper.

Every taxpaying American has a right to the news. The audience is there, so lets not price them out of printed journalism. I encourage you to renew your commitment to newsprint and keep placing your messages on paper.

Sincerely,

WE ALSO RECOMMEND OTHER ADVOCACY GROUPS IN OUR AREA:

http://www.socialnetworkingeducation.blogspot.com/

http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/

http://www.portlandindymedia.org/

http://mediamatters.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twq1u5tW-us

http://www.golittlemedia.blogspot.com/

http://www.fyisexandmedia.blogspot.com/

http://www.cutthestrings2009.blogspot.com/

http://action.centerformediajustice.org/