Can Government Bail Out Newspapers?

(MoneyWatch)  Maybe in Connecticut.

According to a report in today's edition of the Register-Citizen, "Two of Connecticut's top elected officials, Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, said they don't want to see local newspapers close and would be interested in taking part in a bipartisan effort to save them."
The officials spoke out after news broke that a number of local newspapers in the state are in danger of closing, including two dailies -- The Herald in New Britain and The Bristol Press -- as well as 11 weeklies, mostly in New Britain and Bristol. Around 100 jobs appear to be at risk.

"The newspaper is an information lifeline," Blumenthal stated. "It provides really an essential service." This is not the first time a public official has spoken out about the public service role of the press, but it is difficult to imagine what governments can actually do, without compromising the independence of the "fourth estate."

We'll keep an eye on this potential development to see if any of the obvious contradictions get resolved in time to ward off yet more newspaper closings.