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HISTORY


Starting in 1948 both the ''Deseret News'' and ''The Salt Lake Tribune'', long-time rivals, were experiencing financial troubles. The ''News'' had begun an aggressive plan to win new subscribers, including improving content as well as offering prizes to new readers. The ''Tribune'' had been floundering for years also. Rising printing costs also contributed to this decline.

In 1952 the two papers worked out a 30-year agreement, known as the Joint Operating Agreement (JOA). The agreement, founding the NAC, combined the expenses of Press , advertising, circulation and mechanical departments, while still maintaining separate newsrooms. It was decided this plan was better than both papers falling into ruin and leaving the city with no major dailies. The agreement also allowed the ''Tribune'' to sell its failing afternoon paper, the ''Salt Lake Telegram'' to the ''News'', which was then an evening paper. The ''Telegram'' promptly ceased publication.

There was much confusion early on; many people confused joint presses with joint newsrooms. Adding to this confusion, beginning in 1952 the ''Deseret News'' stopped printing a Sunday edition. ''News'' subscribers would receive a Sunday copy of the ''Tribune'' instead.

The NAC was the subject of Congressional Antitrust investigations during the 1960s , but in 1970 Richard Nixon signed the Newspaper Preservation Act , protecting the NAC.

The JOA was renewed in 1982 upon which the ''Deseret News'' began to print a Sunday paper again. The new agreement is in effect for another 30 years, until 2012 .


REFERENCES

  • Woodward, Don C., ed. (1999), ''Through Our Eyes: 150 Years of History as Seen Through the Eyes of the Writers and Editors of the Deseret News'', Salt Lake City: Deseret News Publishing Co. ISBN 1-5734-660-8

  • Malmquist, O. N. (1971), ''The First 100 Years: A History of the Salt Lake Tribune, 1871-1971'', Salt Lake City: Utah State Historical Society.