A frequently asked question as industry circulation figures and stock prices continue to slide is whether newspapers are still needed. Steve’s college students seldom read papers printed on “dead trees” (although they do read them online). And the recent sale of the Knight-Ridder chain, demanded by disgruntled investors, demonstrates the depth of the crisis.

Still, the answer to the question is an emphatic yes. Just look at the Pulitzer prizes announced this week. They recognize the sort of journalism – courageous, costly and comprehensive – that only papers can provide.