Newspapers here to stay, USA founder says

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Those who have predicted that the growth of the Internet would result in the death of newspapers are wrong, the founder of USA Today says. <br><br>"While the Internet absolutely

Thursday, May 4th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Those who have predicted that the growth of the Internet would result in the death of newspapers are wrong, the founder of USA Today says.

"While the Internet absolutely will continue to be an expanding part of news and information, newspapers are here to stay," Al Neuharth said Wednesday.

Neuharth is in Tulsa taking part in News Capade, a free, interactive traveling news museum that will be at the Tulsa Zoo parking lot through Monday.

Neuharth, former chairman and chief executive officer of Gannett Co., Inc., said his affiliation with The Freedom Forum has allowed him to share and expand his passion for news and information.

The Freedom Forum is a nonpartisan international foundation created in 1991 to promote First Amendment freedoms. It is supported by an endowment worth more than $1 billion.

"The objective is to give people a better understanding of what is news and how it is gathered and presented," he said. "It is important now because, No. 1, there are so many different ways news is presented, and, No. 2, our popularity rating has taken a dive. People have the impression that many in the media are not fair.

"My concern is not that we are universally loved but that we are better understood and respected for what we do."