ABSTRACT
Free newspapers express a double paradox. First, they are distributed free of charge and yet free newspapers remain the most lucrative and profitable sector within the local press. Second, they are new@@ers but they report little if any news. Both apparent contradictions are resolved by reference to a third, but highly significant, characteristic of free newspapers; their income is derived wholly from advertising revenues. Consequently, it is not necessary to sell these newspapers to generate income nor, since the papers are given away, is it necessary to report news to attract readers.
