We know it’s how they feel, still it was hard to watch them come out and say it. Charles Bobrinskoy, vice chairman at top Tribune investor Ariel Capital Management in Chicago, tells Frontline — in an interview for its News Wars series — that the Los Angeles Times needs to “rethink its mission.” “There is a role for probably three national newspapers: The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and USA Today. Each has its own niche; all three are national newspapers. We don’t think there’s any demand for a fourth.” The News Wars series is a “spcial four part investigation on the future of news” and Part III, which includes coverage of the Los Angeles Times/Tribune story, aired last night. You can see it online here (look for part III, segment 21).

The always outstanding Frontline website also has stand-alone interviews with:

Former LAT editor Dean Baquet: “They want for the paper to be highly profitable, and sometimes that view of what a newspaper is supposed to be and my view, which is that a newspaper is a public trust, sometimes they come into conflict.” Read More.

Former LAT editor John Carroll: “The corporate people believe that every employee of the company should be loyal, first and foremost, to the shareholder, and that is a prevailing ethic in American business, and it makes sense in just about every way. The journalist believes that he or she works not for the shareholder primarily, but for the reader and for the public. It may seem like an abstract difference that doesn’t cause problems, but it does, particularly when the money gets tighter.” Read more.

Current LAT publisher David Hiller: “I think one of the biggest disservices that’s been done is converting this debate over the future of newspapers into a simple-minded, cuts-versus-no-cuts debate.” Read more.

And more from Bobrinskoy.