Conn. newspaper association to launch ad campaign
Conn. newspaper association to launch ad campaign; fighting to save public notices
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- The Connecticut Daily Newspaper Association is unveiling an ad campaign, attempting to fight efforts in the General Assembly to condense public and legal notices in state newspapers.
The association of 16 newspapers plans to run the first full-page advertisements on April 1.
Lawmakers are considering a bill that allows municipalities to place the ads, for matters such as public meetings and construction bid announcements, on their government websites to save money. The newspapers would only be allowed to provide a portion of the notice and a reference to the city or town's website.
The Connecticut Council of Small Towns estimates its members spend between $5,000 and $35,000 each year to publish the ads in local newspapers, as required by state law.
Newspaper executives say they're providing a reliable public service.
