Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy told the Wall Street Journal he is “very worried about newspapers,” citing financial problems at McClatchy Co., based in his hometown of Sacramento, Ca., which has encountered trouble since its purchase of the former Knight-Ridder chain. Local newspapers, he said, are laying off journalists, and many no longer have dedicated police and court reporters to cover goings-on in the justice system. “Can bloggers fill the gap?” he asked.
Kennedy was interviewed about a New York Times story, which he called “stupid,” about his barring reporters from an appearance he made at a private school in New York City in late October to speak to students about civics. The justice explained why he routinely prohibits media coverage of his talks to students, a policy he said is not inconsistent with his longstanding support of free speech rights.