Comments on: Atlanta: AJC Reach is Unlawful

By: lumpintheroad

lumpintheroad — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 16:52:23 +0000

Diane, I too earn my scratch as a periodical writer and editor, and I’m afraid I have to disagree with you somewhat. If we were talking about actual newspapers being distributed, unbidden, onto people’s property (or public right of ways or whatever), then I might see your point. But Reach isn’t a newspaper. It’s a fistful of crummy ad circulars in a plastic bag. There is zero editorial content. While it may subsidize the salaries of journalists, it does so at the cost of public goodwill and the environment. Trying to defend the practice on free speech grounds cheapens that argument.

By: Russ

Russ — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 16:19:48 +0000

Diane, I think we agree: the Dekalb Neighbor is one level above a discarded candy wrapper.

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:44:39 +0000

Those newspapers tossed on your lawn are helping to support the business. Fewer and fewer people are paying for the newspapers, so they’re trying to find other ways to make money. I understand your point–you think it’s trash and don’t want it.

But try to get my point. That newspaper on your lawn is NOT the equivalent of a discarded candy wrapper. The wrapper is literally discarded trash. The newspaper has content that it is hoping you will read, so that you can read the advertisements and they, and the advertisers, can stay in business.

By: Nelliebelle1197

Nelliebelle1197 — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:42:31 +0000

Okay, but how does preventing these ads violate the First Amendment?

By: Russ

Russ — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:36:15 +0000

“I could cite all the ways that an independent press has helped strengthen this country.”

Yeah, and none of them would involve free newspapers that are tossed on non-subscribers’ lawns.