For as long as the two papers have been in operation, the competition between The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News has been fierce. But now that competition may be eliminated altogether.
The 700 Level.com reports that the sports desk of the Inquirer and Daily News will be merged, potentially paving the way toward making Philadelphia a one-paper city.
Other departments at the two papers will likely be merged in the near future, which may not only get messy because of previous feelings of competition but also from the looming threat of redundancy.
Major writers for both papers, who for years were pitted against each other in showing off their writing prowess, will now be forced to work together, sharing the same ideas and stories without merely rewording what their colleagues have already written.
Amanda McClain, Professor of Communications at Holy Family University, does not believe the merger spells immediate doom for either of the papers.
“The Inky and Daily News have two entirely different audiences,” she says. “ I think what this really speaks to is how much of a sports town Philly is — interest in sports transcends the variations in audiences. Philly will have media targeted a various audiences as long as these audiences remain. I don’t see this changing for a long time.”
The result of the merger will take some time to determine, but, in the meantime, it will be interesting to watch former journalistic competitors join forces as allies.
Source: The 700 Level
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Jennifer Gregory
