The practice, called zoning, ensured that readers would have the most local news product available to them on the front page of their paper.

In fact, the networks increasingly refer to the result of their news gathering as their "news product."

So the government must pay for the stations, while at the same time giving them the independence necessary to provide a credible news product.

Commercial pressure from China may already have led a Western company to gut its news product.

Media General's idea for the "Storm Team" was to give weather a stronger emphasis in the larger news product.

The recent rise of social media has resulted in arguments to reconsider journalism as a process rather than as a particular kind of news product.

"The way we're positioning our product is as an all-day news product."

"It's sold on the brand name, the news product, and its credibility."

The site features all local content in the paper, an online edition of the news product, and classified ads, as well.

A physical news product is believed by industry auditors to reach more than four people per copy.