Shop Talk - October 27 MACOMB, IL (wium) - The panelists talk about new proposal to help preserve journalism.

The report was written by Len Downie, former executive editor of The Washington Post, and Michael Schudson, who's a professor at Columbia University.

They believe the government, universities, and non-profit foundations should step in to help newspapers that are struggling financially. They suggest philanthropic organizations support local reporting.

In addition, they say a fund could be established using fees from telecom or Internet providers. Money from the fund could provide grants to innovative local news groups.

The report was commissioned by the Columbia University Journalism School.

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