New Series “The Paper” offers Stark Reflection of Local Journalism‘s Struggles
A new television series, “The Paper,” is drawing attention for its portrayal of a struggling local newspaper and the broader challenges facing the industry. The show, described by the Boston Globe as “a love letter too local newspapers,” tackles issues like corporate consolidation, the rise of autonomous content creators, and the impact of online commentary on journalistic work.
the series highlights a tension: while aiming to demonstrate the value of accountability reporting, much of the comedy stems from the Truth Teller, the fictional newspaper at the show’s center, producing substandard work. Despite this, the show functions as a literal homage to local newspapers, a especially poignant note given the industry’s recent decline.
According to Northwestern University data, the U.S. has lost over a third of its newspapers in the past two decades. This trend is exemplified by the Hartford Courant, America’s oldest continuously published newspaper, which closed its physical office in 2020 and was acquired by alden Global Capital in 2021-a firm known for aggressive cost-cutting measures.”The Paper” depicts a contrast between struggling papers like the Truth Teller and more robust newsrooms, as seen in a scene featuring a call with a competent editor at an Enervate paper in Cincinnati. Though, the show frequently emphasizes the truth teller’s low standards for comedic effect, showcasing staff with limited experience-one character cites tweet-writing as his only journalistic background-and resulting in reporting mishaps including accidents, arrests, and fabricated stories.