Reports emerged today about Gannett purchasing the Central Florida Future, the newspaper of the University of Central Florida, which is the sixth largest university in the nation.
This comes on the heels of Gannett purchasing the Florida State University paper, the FSView and Florida Flambeau.
I can only imagine that Gannett is circling over my alma mater’s paper, the Independent Florida Alligator, after the general manager of the Alligator retired. (FULL DISCLOSURE: I was formerly the metro editor there.)
On the one hand, this is great for the financial stability of the paper and for potentially providing an advertising network and professional contacts for the students. It could mean the survival of a struggling college publication.
On the other, it bodes ill for the independent voice of these publications. For better or worse, Gannett will have to rubber stamp the content of these papers, which means some of the more daring (or inappropriate) content could be quashed.
And do we really need more of a corporate presence on college campuses than what already exists? I remain cautious and skeptical.
[UPDATE 02-15-07]: Bryan Murley also appears to be concerned.
I think I might cry.