By Steve Outing • August 6th, 2008 • E-mail this post E-mail this post

With newspapers in deep trouble, it’s unlikely that they can climb out of their holes by themselves (especially as the holes keep getting deeper). If a solution or solutions are to be found, it will be in concert with other companies.

Google CEO Dr. Eric Schmidt is worried about the state of investigative reporting.

Text version of Schmidt’s comments

One big opportunity may be in working with Google. Yes, the search giant that some publishers blame for their troubles also, just maybe, could be a newpaper savior. Google CEO Eric Schmidt is aware of and concerned about newspapers’ plight. He worries about the loss of investigative journalism as newspapers decline. Check out the video at right (from AdAge.com) of a recent talk by Schmidt to see what I mean.

Schmidt also has said publicly that he believes Google has a “moral imperative” to help newspapers figure out a new advertising model that will support their journalism. But how?

This page contains, below, an Open Letter to Google suggesting ways that the most successful company on the planet right now can help the newspaper industry. It’s a wiki, and we want YOU — readers of ReinventingClassifieds.com — to help write the letter. Add your ideas; edit or improve what others have written.

When the letter seems like it’s ready, well send it off to Google’s management team. So, what suggestions do you have for Google to come to the aid of newspapers, especially pertaining to classifieds strategies?

(Instructions: You can edit text in the large field below. When finished, include your name so we can see who has contributed, then click Update. To see a log of what’s been changed and by whom, look here. If you spot an abuse, you can fix it yourself, or alert me.)

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"Help write an open letter to Google" by Steve Outing was published on August 6th, 2008 and is listed in Misc..

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Comments on "Help write an open letter to Google": 2 Comments

  1. Terry So Siu Ming wrote,

    Dear Google,
    This is Terry So, From Hong Kong

    I am Writing for giving a suggestion of one new feature that everyone should enjoy in the new coming browser,

    as every morning when i wake up, i will browse a few website like a daily routine, and i think everyone will have their favourite,
    but the “My favourite” feature we are using now its to passive, there should be more active one,
    which means when i open the IE, the IE should be splitted into 6 or 9 sections and it opens the favourites i set, and they are the latest update, then which one i want to really read, i can click on that and its showing like a full screen,

    thats the starting of the Idea and ofcourse will need your help adjust it, create it, to make it become using

    B.R,

    Terry So

  2. Linda wrote,

    I support your position on China and sensorship. I applaud you.

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