Sometimes I think newspapers will kill themselves. For many days I have been unable to buy a copy of The International Herald Tribune, which is the global edition of The New York Times. I keep trotting down to the kiosk at the end of my street in Clichy, three euros in my hand, only to be told that the paper has not arrived. Again and again and again.
I thought about this as I settled down at the MK2 in Bastille to watch Page One: Inside The New York Times. In this excellent documentary, various reporters and editors from the newspaper worry about the rise of the internet and the death of print. Meanwhile, I'd literally been forced to read their stories on the web because I was unable to buy a real live newspaper. After chatting with Patrick, my kiosquier, I discovered that the unions (les syndicats) are to blame. Apparently they are angry that the IHT wants to print the newspaper in Belgium to save costs. I understand that their feelings are hurt, but don't they realise that, if they continue, nobody will bother trying to buy a newspaper any more? They will destroy their own industry, as well as that of Patrick the kiosquier and even the careers of several journalists. Of course, they are focusing on the short term. But I hope the management of the IHT will find a way of ending the conflict: I miss my morning paper.
