FOR THE WEEK OF DEC. 22, 2008

Look ahead to headline topics for 2009

Front Page Talking Points come from journalists, not futurists -- but you don't need a crystal ball to foretell at least a few subjects sure to make news this coming year. So as we prepare to change calendars, here's a look at some of what we're likely to read and talk about in 2009.

The economy, a top story in 2008, will remain a hot domestic and international topic. In Washington, the new president and Congress will focus on easing the impact of a year-old recession that has brought widespread layoffs, home losses and severe stock market declines. After his Jan. 20 inauguration, Barack Obama will urge lawmakers to pass an economic stimulus package that uses federal money to fix roads and bridges, upgrade rural Internet service and make other improvements that create jobs.
Officials also will continue working on assistance for U.S. automakers struggling to survive.

Another high-profile industry will continue painful public adjustments in 2009 to economic and technology forces reshaping a daily tradition -- local newspapers. The Tribune Co., owner of the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and six other dailies, recently filed for bankruptcy court protection. Newsroom staffs are being reduced around the country.
Increasingly, professional journalism is expected to be delivered online rather than in print to cut manpower and other costs. Papers of all sizes are expanding electronic content and becoming trusted, authoritative "news hubs" with links to blogs, web sites and other reliable information sources.

Not all news in 2009 will be glum and gloomy, of course. This year's best movies will be honored with Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 11 and Oscars on Feb. 22 during televised presentations. Late-night TV show host Jay Leno moves to prime time in the fall with a talk show at 10 p.m. each weekday -- a bold programming move by NBC in response to changes in viewing patterns because of cable TV, video recorders and -- what else -- the Internet.

On the economy: "There are reasons to be optimistic -- Obama's stimulus plan might work, the Federal Reserve's efforts to stabilize the financial situation could finally pay off. But there's a lot that could go wrong." -- Ben Steverman, Business Week magazine blogger

On newspapers: "For the near future, I think the newspapers' future will be in a combination of print and online. When things are going well in the economy at large, newspapers have proven they can be profitable businesses." -- Daniel Gross, Slate financial columnist

On TV: We do have to continue to rethink what a broadcast network is . . . or the broadcast networks will end up like the newspaper business or, worse, like the car companies. -- Jeffrey Zucker, chief executive of NBC Universal

Front Page Talking Points Archive

Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.