Nassau's Newspaper Switch
A Win for the Post, A Loss for the Public
Actions have consequences — especially for those who know not what they do.
I’m speaking, of course, about Nassau County, which just pulled off the — how shall we say? — most 2024-ish stunt of 2024: dropping Newsday as its newspaper of record and handing that distinction over to the New York Post.
Let’s put this above the fold: I’m long a fan of the Post. Those in-yer-face headlines are birthed by some amazingly talented people. But whatever entertainment value the Post brings cannot trump the public interest of the good people of Nassau.
It’s the narrative that shapes reality.
This past week, while you were holiday shopping, Nassau County approved the Post as its official newspaper of record for 2025. Translation: The Post now will publish the county’s public notices, which will bring them around $230,000 a year in revenue, according to published reports. That’s the perk, especially in the age of broken business models. And while it’s a solid win for the Post, it’s a huge loss for county residents.
Why? Oh-so-many reasons.
Because the Post, compared to Newsday, simply doesn’t have the local reach. Fewer readers here equals fewer eyes on those ads, and the entire point of these notices is maximum visibility. So awareness suffers. Then there’s the money itself — now flowing out of Nassau and into the city. That’s never a popular move with the locals. If anyone’s losing here, it’s Nassau residents.
Newsday takes a hit, too. Losing that revenue might mean layoffs or a bump in subscription fees. Either way, the people of Nassau might wind up paying more for their news, in one form or another. Think of it as a new tax on your news diet, courtesy of the county’s decision.
And that’s just the start of the story.
In exchange for the guaranteed cash flow, the Post promises increased coverage of Long Island. Now, to be fair, the Post has covered Long Island in the past — even had a bureau out here once upon a time. But this is exactly where it goes sideways.
Long Island is one of the most complicated media markets in the nation. “Complicated” means we have our own sense of what matters, and it’s unique to this region. Our definition of news diverges wildly from other areas — even places with similar demographics. So while the Post might step up its Island coverage, it’s going to fail at reflecting the content and character the Long Island public actually wants. Without that local authenticity, it simply won’t take off the way the Post hopes it will. Worse, it may warp how the rest of the world sees us—and that perception can hurt property values over time.
Here’s an example, taken from recent coverage. When covering the same story, Newsday gives us: “Police search for male who set portable bathroom in Levittown on fire.” The Post? “Potty-brained arsonist tries to torch portable toilet, ignites himself, and sprints away in flames!”
On the Gilgo Beach murders, Newsday says: “Suspect in Gilgo Beach serial killings is charged in the death of a seventh woman.” The Post serves up: “Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect pleads not guilty to 7th murder charge—slaughtered victims in his basement, lawyers say.”
And school coverage? Newsday reports: “School unveils ‘serenity suite’ to help relieve teacher stress,” while the Post pings in with: “LI school superintendent plows into Harley-riding motorcyclist while driving drunk: cops.”
It’s the narrative that shapes reality.
When you swap out your local paper for one with a totally different style — and different priorities — you’re not just changing your source of public notices. You’re changing the public conversation, the tone, and the perception of your entire community. When the community’s perception sours, property values eventually follow.
Let’s be clear: Nassau County hasn’t just changed a newspaper of record — it’s upended the ecosystem of public awareness and local economics. Fewer readers will see important notices, local dollars will now flow into the city, and that lost revenue could trigger higher costs for everyone down the road. Worse still, as the tenor of coverage shifts and outside perceptions follow suit, property values may deflate. This isn’t simply about where to print the fine print; it’s about who truly benefits — and who pays the price — when leaders prioritize short-term political gain over the long-term well-being of their own community.
The consequences may not be immediate, but they’re coming. Unfortunately, it’s the residents who will pay the price.
- Jaci Clement, CEO/Executive Director, [email protected]
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2 个月My tax dollars! Typical outrageous move by Cuckold Blakeman and his puppet legislators to curry favor with Murdoch and his crowd. Major loss to Newsday, owned by billionaire Dolans who at least live in Nassau County.
Newsday Media Group Nassau County #newspapers #mediainsights #medialiteracy #mediaaccountability #news #longisland #nassaucounty