Arthur Sulzberger Jr., chairman and publisher of The New York Times, has cushioned some of the words quoted in last weeks Ha’aretz, after taking flack from analysts and his own workers. "We are continuing to invest in our newspapers, for we believe that they will be around for a very long time,” he said today in a speech to Times employees.

"I really don't know whether we'll be printing the Times in five years, and you know what? I don't care either," Sulzberger had said on Feb. 8 at Davos.

Of course this comment was widely noticed by news sources, press analysts and Times employees. Though his words may have been taken out of context, Sulzberger made a clear statement today to his employees. Such an overly clear statement that many may remain skeptical what his true feelings are about the issue:

"We are continuing to invest in our newspapers, for we believe that they will be around for a very long time. This point of view is not about nostalgia or a love of newsprint. Instead, it is rooted in fundamental business realities: Our powerful and trusted print brands continue to draw educated and affluent audiences.

"Traditional print newspaper audiences are still significantly larger than their Web counterparts. Print continues to command high levels of reader engagement. And, of course, we still make most of our money from print advertising and circulation revenue. And yes, I remember what I said here last year and what I was supposed to have said last month at Davos about not having a printed product in five years time.

"So let me clear the air on this issue. It is my heartfelt view that newspapers will be around--in print--for a long time. But I also believe that we must be prepared for that judgment to be wrong. My five-year timeframe is about being ready to support our news, advertising and other critical operations on digital revenue alone ...whenever that time comes."

Source: New York Observer