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TO OUR READERS:

June 17, 2004
In a recently published message we shared with you the threat to The Seattle Times posed by The Hearst Corporation, the New York-based media conglomerate that owns the Post-Intelligencer. Hearst has mounted an aggressive attack against The Seattle Times to try to force us to sell The Times to them, which would end independent journalism in Seattle.

In our message, we told you that our family, local owners of The Seattle Times, was reluctantly selling land to defend independent journalism and prevent or reduce further cuts in The Times’ operations, especially news and content. Since our last message, we have announced a $31 million land sale for this purpose. A link to our press release with additional information is below.

All of the proceeds from this and smaller land sales last year have or will be put into company operations to help us deal with the Hearst attacks and the changed economy that has driven four consecutive years of losses, and continuing losses, under our joint operating agreement (JOA) with Hearst. Our family believes that fighting against consolidation of media in the hands of a few large conglomerates and saving quality, local, independent journalism in Seattle is the right thing to do.

Thank you for your many e-mails and letters of support. Our readers and our community are at the heart of our decision to take a stand for independent journalism and the values behind the First Amendment. You can continue to reach us at mycomments@seattletimes.com or P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111.

    Frank Blethen                 Bob Blethen               Will Blethen                John Blethen

For more information, view the news release.