While newspapers clearly have their challenges, Alan Fisco, president of The Seattle Times Company, is even more bullish on newspapers than he was six months ago. In an interview with E&P's Mike Blinder, Fisco said the role of newspapers has never been more important.
"A free press is the cornerstone of our democracy," Fisco said, "and in spite of the threats we face, I think more and more people are coming to the realization of the role that we play there. In the past six months, with the pandemic, social unrest, the fires, the smoke — everything but locusts — readers have turned to us in record numbers. I really think that speaks volumes about our future and our role in society."
Asked about top priorities at the 50,000-foot level for new publishers, Fisco said:
