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07/20/2018

Tariffs force Ohio papers into tough choices as we await ITC ruling

By Dennis Hetzel, Executive Director

Dennis Hetzel 2018Elsewhere in today’s Bulletin, you’ll see links to news items about our members that are troubling examples of the times.

The Madison Press, the primary news outlet in Madison County for decades, is ending its print edition. Fortunately, the Press will live on as a digital-only outlet and AIM Media Midwest will continue to distribute a free-circulation print newspaper to thousands of county residents. Group Publisher Lane Moon specifically cites newsprint costs as a driving factor.

In Sandusky, the Register is merging its Saturday and Sunday editions into Saturday-only.

In Cincinnati and Columbus, both the Enquirer and Dispatch have significantly raised subscription or single-copy prices, also blaming the increasing cost and related scarcity of newsprint.

I know many other publishers are doing or contemplating similar measures – at a time in our country when it’s more important than ever to have excellent local journalism.

However, I hasten to point out to anyone who asks – most recently some legislators and the Columbus Rotary Club – that the commitment to local journalism remains stalwart and strong across our state. Ohio has no “news deserts.” That’s the term being used when a community has no meaningful, local journalism available. There are viable newspapers in each of Ohio’s 88 counties.

Otherwise, what’s left? Broadcasters simply will not fill this gap. It’s not part of their DNA or their business plans. I guess in many cases it will be your neighbors on Facebook, bloggers with axes to grind and the subjects of news – government and other organizations – sharing whatever they choose to share with whatever spin they want to put on it.

That’s not good.

Something that is good is that many members of Congress are on our side.  Nineteen members of Congress testified in person on Tuesday before the International Trade Commission in support of our industry’s efforts to reverse tariffs on Canadian newsprint that benefit a single mill in Washington state.  I’m told that’s highly unusual, and the ITC seemed responsive.

It wasn’t just Congress that stepped up. The Teamsters and Communication Workers of America – which normally would side with a U.S. business in a trade war – support our industry’s position. They recognize that far more jobs will be lost if these tariffs continue than would be gained at one remote paper mill.

Unfortunately, no members of Ohio’s congressional delegation testified, though we have had verbal support from many delegation members.  One Ohio member of Congress, Rep. Bill Johnson, wrote a letter to the ITC in support of the industry’s position. Those of you who are in Johnson’s spread-out district that covers Appalachian Ohio should consider thanking him on your editorial pages and in private correspondence. A link to his letter is below.

A petition with more than 10,000 signatures from around the country, including Ohio, was submitted. Our two national organizations – the News Media Alliance and National Newspaper Association – are working around-the-clock on this issue.

Unfortunately, it’s still an uphill battle because – insane though it sounds – trade laws do not allow the ITC to consider direct impact on consumers such as your customers.

So, what’s next? Post-hearing legal briefs will be filed next week. You should continue to urge your member of Congress, Sen. Portman and Sen. Brown, to join Rep. Johnson in filing formal comments. Let me know if you need assistance with talking points or contacts. (More info is also at this link.) Ask them to send a letter similar to Rep. Johnson’s.

The ITC is scheduled to vote on the case Aug. 28. Three votes are need to reverse the tariffs. Meanwhile, our industry will continue to push bills pending in Congress to address this situation.

Otherwise, you will see more headlines like the ones I shared today from around Ohio.

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