Members heard about the health of the local newspaper industry from Herald-Times publisher Mayer Maloney at the regular meeting Nov. 23, 2009.

Maloney, an IU journalism grad and Bloomington native, is publisher of the H-T as well as the Sunday Hoosier-Times, Bedford Times-Mail, Martinsville Reporter-Times and Mooresville-Decatur Times, all of which are owned by Schurz Communications, Inc.

While not immune to industry struggles, the company is doing well, Maloney said.

He talked about ways the company is using the Web to draw new readers and ad customers, and about how the newspapers are concentrating on more local coverage.

Maloney also stated that he would not recommend that his new granddaughter pursue a journalism degree when she grows up, but instead would encourage her to learn as much about the world as possible. This prompted members Marge Blewett and David Weaver to describe the IU School of Journalism’s emphasis on preparing students for new media.

Published by bloomingtonpressclub

A nonprofit group in Bloomington, Ind., with members from many areas of media. We sponsor scholarships for high school and college students