In its latest broad survey of the industry, issued Wednesday, Fitch Ratings said newspapers are performing even worse than it expected at the beginning of the year.

Significant points provided by Automotive Digest.

1. Fitch asserts weakness in high-yield newspaper classified ads likely to soften revenue, profit projections

2. Classified ad pages at Gannett's USA Today declined 17% this year; real estate ads fell 20%

3. Employment ads in Tribune papers stumbled 19%, while real estate section receded 24%

4. McClatchy, Dow Jones negatively impacted by shrinking real estate, technology ads

5. While overall real estate industry decline is major contributor, not only factor

6. Decline in retail, jobs, auto ads in relatively healthy economy indicates much of downturn may be permanent

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How is this affecting advertising budgets at the dealership level?