The Rack is Back
Monday, November 28, 2011
For a long time citizens were not able to purchase news papers from news racks at Raleigh-Druham International Airport. After taking legal action for six years they are now back in the airpot and people are now able to buy the New York Times, USA Today, and News and Observer.
These newspapers sued the airport after they only allowed papers to be sold in the airport stores back in 2004. In 2008 U.S. Judge Terrance Boyle ruled the band of news stands unconstitutional. In an article with Poynter Institute Boyle said the ban on news stands will take away informed citizenry which is the heart of our democracy.
The airpot tried to appeal the judges ruling but were unsuccessful. The reason the airport wanted to ban the news boxes was because they thought that it would create competition for the airport shops, cause more traffic, and even pose a security risk.
The newspaper companies now have to pay a rent of $12.50 to have their boxes there. Airport representative Jim Tatum says that everyone has come to an agreement that will work out for everyone and make them happy.
2 comments:
A variety of newspapers and other news sources should be available in airports. Layovers, waiting for a flight, or in flight reading are all free time for citizens to become more informed. Also, the airport stated that it was concerned about the racks competing with its shops, but competition is key in our economy. The newspapers should be no different.
The ruling of Judge Boyle is very fair. I completely agree that citizens need to be informed on what is happening in the country. Newspapers should be readily available for travelers and it was not right for the airport to ban the sale of them in the first place.
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