In 2018 my newspaper died. Well, actually, the emaciated carcass of the Austin American Statesman still had a feeble pulse. But its journalistic voice and soul were gone, stripped out by the notorious financial predators of Gannett, the huge media conglomerate that had recently bought the paper.

Happily, though, the Statesman has made a near-miraculous recovery, thanks to a small band of feisty journalists who believe in local newspapers. They fought Gannett bosses tenaciously, gaining a voice by forming a union, striking and finally compelling the giant to sign a union contract. Victory!

Uh … not yet. Just months later, Gannett sold the newspaper to Hearst, another massive media conglomerate. This new relationship started well, but soon turned sour when Hearst honchos abruptly refused to honor the paper’s contract with the union.........

© Humor Times