Newspapers started to die when staff writers became advocates instead of reporters. As advocates they screen what they write- they write what fits their advocacy and squeeze their message in regardless of what actually happens. People are too smart to give their time and money for propaganda so they stopped the paper and get news elsewhere.

well said my friend

I wish I could believe this, that people can both detect bias and wish to avoid it. But... how do you explain the success of blogs, especially those of political pundits? Few I've read even attempt journalistic neutrality, but they seem to have no trouble attracting eyeballs. Some even make money.

People are too smart to give their time and money for propaganda so they stopped the paper and get news elsewhere.

That makes sense until you consider that heavily-biased cable news is more successful than ever.

Blogs do not claim to be reporters-they are opinion columnists so there is no conflict of role involved. Everyone knows you fact check the blogs. Cable news is included with your cable bill- wait till they allow a la cart cable purchase and see if the more unreliable cable news channels don't go the way of the New York Times.