A Path for Newspapers - NYTimes.com In "Fissures Are Growing for Papers" (Media Equation column, July 9), David Carr catalogs several hurdles for newspapers. Yes, newspapers - and many other companies - are challenged by economic and cultural trends. In response, newspapers are innovating and experimenting with a variety of methods to drive new revenue and customers. Some of these are radical departures from the established business model, such as developing all-purpose digital agencies, social media-based news readers and partnerships with platform providers. I do agree with Mr. Carr's observation that great journalism "is the one sure hedge against irrelevancy." And great newspaper journalism continues to thrive in American communities: In Florida, The Tampa Tribune investigated how recipients of grants from the state's jobs incentives fund failed to meet obligations. In Ohio, The Columbus Dispatch found that data-processing workers routinely inflated schools" attendance records. In California, The Desert Sun in Palm Springs uncovered questionable practices by a community college athletics department. Insightful local coverage and continued innovation are why newspapers reach more than 160 million adults in print and online in an average week. Changing market dynamics are driving aggressive innovation by newspapers to develop nontraditional approaches. These new strategies will rankle some, but will in the end enable newspapers to continue investing in the quality journalism valued by the communities they serve. CAROLINE H. LITTLE President and Chief Executive Newspaper Association of America Arlington, Va., July 12, 2012