'Independent' loses voice

The Bloomington Independent, a local alternative newspaper, is on a "hiatus" from publishing because of a lapse in funding, publisher Craig Hitchcock said. \nThe paper's financial problems stem from the Sept. 11 economic backlash. \n"(We) had to make a tough choice," he said.\nThe newspaper hopes to continue publishing in March, Hitchcock said. The Bloomington Independent staff is currently meeting with possible advertisers and pursuing other avenues, such as other ways of financing and a potential buyer, he said.\nThe weekly alternative newspaper focuses on reporting news, the local arts, the entertainment scene and other local events. About 33,000 people read The Bloomington Independent every week. \nHitchcock said running an alternative paper is tougher in small markets such as Bloomington. \nWhile the paper has a good advertising base in local businesses, such as restaurants, clubs and bars, it often does not receive enough support from institutional advertisers, such as car dealerships and hospitals.\nThese institutional advertisers often prefer to only place ads in daily newspapers, Hitchcock said.\nThe paper presents news from a different point of view than daily newspapers, usually with more "edgy" content, he said. \nMany people in the community value this different point of view, including IU English professor Purnima Bose. She thinks alternative newspapers are essential because they are often critical of people in power and are a voice different than mainstream press.\n"(We) need a division of opinion in order to have a vibrant democracy," she said, referring to the difference in tone between alternative newspapers and daily newspapers. "Democracy as a whole suffers when there is a narrowing of opinion in the public sphere." \nBose said The Bloomington Independent has analyzed U.S. foreign policy and human rights issues, as well. \n"(The Bloomington Independent) has done an excellent job of covering issues of importance to the community," Bose added.\nThe last published issue of the newspaper featured thoughts from people in the Bloomington community about the Sept. 11 terrorist attack and its aftermath.\nJessica Baldanzi was a music and cultural events freelance writer for the Bloomington Independent.\n"The Bloomington Independent has an open perspective that a lot of other publications wouldn't," she said, noting that the publication does a good job of getting the word out about local events. "There is going to be a serious void in cultural information in town." \nThe newspaper, owned by YES Communications, ran for 10 years. Those years have been good, Hitchcock said. He announced the hiatus Dec. 28.\n"The Independent has been a very successful editorial product," he said. "Last year it consistently improved"