Smart Talk: New Lancaster newspaper editorial policy; Constitution Day

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, September 17, 2014:

The media landscape has changed a great deal over the past 10 years. Perhaps, print media or newspapers have seen the most significant changes.

It used to be that almost every American city or town had their own daily newspaper. Many cities had two or even more.

However, as more digital options became available to news consumers, many turned away from traditional media. In response, many newspapers took steps to save money like limiting the number of pages, consolidating or even folding altogether.

Lancaster had two separate daily newspapers up until just a few years ago when the Intelligencer Journal and New Era combined their operations. When they did, the papers maintained their traditional editorial page voices in the one newspaper. The New Era was conservative and the Intelligencer Journal progressive.

That changed last week when Lancaster Newspapers announced they would offer only one independent editorial page.

Appearing on Wednesday’s Smart Talk to explain the move are Barbara Roda, Executive Editor and Suzanne Cassidy, Editorial Page Editor for Lancaster Newspapers.

Also, Wednesday is Constitution Day. Kerry Sautner, Vice President of Education at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia appears on the program to discuss the nation’s most sacred document.