I just read an article on Yahoo about things that a consumer shouldn't buy because they were becoming obsolete.  Here's what the article said about newspapers:

"In 2008, newspaper advertising revenues declined by 17.7%, according to the Newspaper Association of America. Meanwhile, average daily circulation at 379 newspapers fell 10.6% from April through September 2009, compared to the same period a year ago, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations." 

There are surely lots of reasons why newspapers are dying, but at least one of them has to be the a disappearance of talent on newspaper staffs.  I think the lion's share of the blame must go to lazy editors who don't know or don't care what's being published.  Reporters are a close second.  Talent disappeared first and took with it a lot of journalistic integrity.  Guys write crap and make up sources. 

Anyway, end of diatribe.