How many employees does it take to operate a web-only, large newspaper: surprisingly few

The Hearst Corp. has the Seattle Post-Intelligencer up for sale or closure, perhaps as early as next week.

But if it decides to go a website-only publication, it could operate the Metro daily with just 22 full-time employees -- down from 170, says www.gannettblog.blogspot.com.

That's remarkable. I would think the newspaper would then hire private contract writers for more content, and save big money by not paying them benefits.

That could be the new model for the Fourth Estate, just as the auto industry will have to remodel itself as well.