The viability of local newspapers, including the one that you are reading now, is being challenged by an unnecessary tariff on the import of uncoated groundwood paper from Canada – the type that is used to print this newspaper and others across Ohio.
The current newsprint tariffs result from a State of Washington-based paper supplier, North Pacific Paper Co., to manipulate U.S. trade policy. A New York-based hedge fund purchased NORPAC and soon thereafter filed a petition resulting in duties that were assessed by the U.S. Department of Commerce earlier this year.
As a result of these newsprint tariffs, we will see a double-digit increase in our newsprint cost.
Simply put, Ohio’s newspapers — which already operate on a slim margin and constantly deal with hikes in mailing costs — cannot absorb the additional financial burden this duty – based on a dubious complaint from a single paper mill — is sure to create.
These tariffs will hurt our readers, because they create pressure to raise prices and they will force us to analyze every expense. Maybe we will drop some puzzles or put more content online — no big deal, unless we your favorite content.
If fully implemented, the resulting hardship could lead to thousands of job losses in the newspaper industry. For us, that would be a last result.
We are at an important juncture right now and our role of getting Real News to you on a weekly basis matters more than ever. A credible news source that has a vested interest in community-based news and information is the bedrock to our principles as a free nation.
Ohio is home to more than 250 local newspapers and hundreds of related websites, many of which provide the only meaningful news coverage for small, rural communities. We are you. We are Ohio. We are local businesses.
Readers rely on newspapers to provide credible information about what matters most to them – news about local people, local government, local happenings, local businesses and important public notices that can impact a community. We hope you find we do essential work and would be grateful for your support.
Newspapers and newspaper associations are uniting against newsprint tariffs. This is not only a print industry concern but could ultimately affect other business segments in the U.S. that rely on paper products.
Please help us protect the future of newspapers by contacting the Department of Commerce, Sen. Sherrod Brown, Sen. Rob Portman or your local U.S. Congress representative and letting them know these tariffs must be repealed — not just because they hurt newspapers, but because they will damage the customers and communities we serve.
A free press is more important than ever and newspapers have always been at the forefront of serving our communities. We remain steadfast in our commitment of continuing to do so.
Thank you for hearing me out.