Last week, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine produced a line-item veto of a budget item that would have abolished the stateƵs tax exemption for newspaper subscriptions along with specific printing exemptions that would have likely wounded the already struggling advertising mechanisms in news media.
The veto spares the industry from OhioƵs 5.75% sales tax while including equipment used in printing materials that also includes books.
At a time when some elected officials arenƵt exactly standing in line to acknowledge legacy print media, or any media for that matter, it is refreshing to see Gov. DeWine take a stance for the work of some 85,000 journalists across the country, not just in Ohio.
It was felt across the industry.
His message notes included the statement, ƵNewspapers serve a critical role in our society to inform the public about important issues, allow for civic engagement and discourse, and help bolster local communities.Ƶ
Ƶ a West Virginia-based media company, HD Media purchased the Portsmouth Daily Times in 2024. It is our first dip into the waters of Ohio and certainly not our last.
The Ohio General Ƶsembly previously voted to repeal the exemptions as part of the State of OhioƵs operating budget.
For the Portsmouth Daily Times, which publishes on Wednesday and Saturday, it would cost subscribers with a print and digital package an additional $12.42 per year and make Ohio the first state to apply the tax in over 90 years.
This will undoubtedly come up again, and there will be a larger national debate about it and the validity of the civic role that journalism plays within the fabric of communities just like Portsmouth.
A survey from earlier this year made public by the Ohio News Media Ƶsociation found that 84% of those surveyed read newspapers regularly in either their print or digital forms, and that 75% said having a local newspaper is very important or important to them.
You can wax all youƵd like about our industry dying, but we are still valued in AmericaƵs true fiber. I talk to people every day about content across our 13 primary products, and they are certainly passionate about it and will let us know when they feel we missed the mark. In addition to the newspapers that we publish, we also print at least 16 products that we donƵt own.
Yes, we should be held accountable.
In a time when there are more creative, effective ways to advertise and anyone with wifi can be a Ƶpublisher,Ƶ HD Media continues to look for exciting new ways to reach our audience with streaming, video and sponsored content initiatives.
I think I speak for the newspaper industry when I salute Gov. Mike DeWine for stating what should be common knowledge but in 2025 feels more like a strong take within our current climate.
Phil Perry is the president of HD Media, headquartered in Charleston, and publisher of The Herald-Dispatch. His email address is pperry@hdmediallc.com.
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