Merger highlights the decline of independent media
By Miriam Raftery, Editor, East County Magazine
September 19, 2012 (San Diego)—The U-T San Diego’spurchase of the North County Timesfor $11.95 million dollars has sent shudders across the journalism community locally and nationally. The deal also includes acquisition of the Californian in Riverside County(no relation to the East County Californian), which was owned by North County Times.
Demise of one of San Diego’s largest independent media outlets highlights two growing problems: fewer voices controlling the media due to consolidation and a decline in quality including slashing investigative/watchdog reporting and abandoning journalistic standards—most importantly, impartiality.