Pocono News Section

I-Team: Can Two Papers Last in Wilkes-Barre?

I-Team: Can Two Papers Last in Wilkes-Barre? - Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 5:36PM EST

As major metropolitan newspapers are closing around the country, it leaves many wondering whether Wilkes-Barre's two papers can survive. Consumer and I-Team reporter Jeff Chirico is here with part one of a special report.
Wilkes-Barre is the smallest two-paper-city in the country. Like all media, they're losing much what feeds them --advertising dollars. But experts say both can continue--although they'll need to change with the times.

At Anthracite News Stand in Wilkes-Barre's Public Square, customers are adamant about their papers. "They'll tell me you didn't do your job. You didn't fill up paper outside." The city of 40 thousand news hounds get their fix from the Citizens Voice and The Times Leader. “Wilkes-Barre is amazing that it has two newspapers." But how long both presses can keep rolling is unclear.

Major U. S. papers have folded. Others --bankrupt or making deep cuts including Times-Shamrock, owner of the Citizens Voice. It announced significant layoffs this week. CEO Scott Lynett says "this is one of the toughest times we've seen since the early 80s." Lynett spoke with Eyewitness News before making the layoffs public. He said advertising which makes up most of his paper's revenue is down significantly. The Times Leader publisher Richard Connor says ad sales have dropped 16 percent from last year. “Our profits will be less this year than last but it's manageable."

A Wall Street Journal reporter who covers printed media says Wilkes-Barre may be able to handle both papers for two reasons. Mid-sized papers can better weather the economic storm. And the large number of loyal readers" “People think of Wilkes-Barre as a backward area. Not when it comes to devouring news." I

n fact national research shows this region has the among the highest percentage of newspapers readers. And for that reason, Luzerne County Community College journalism professor Ed Ackerman says there's hope. “25 years ago people would have said. Impossible. Wilkes-Barre will not sustain 2 newspapers. 25 years later, here we are. I don't think we're ready to bury either just yet." And neither of the competitors are ready to throw in the towel. Connor says “we're going to be here for a long time." Lynett promises “I can assure you, the Citizens Voice will be around for a long, long time."