The industry has been consolidating to survive a decline in print ad sales. : Two of the country's largest newspaper companies are in "advanced talks" according to a Wall Street Journal report. The Journal says that Gannett Co., the owner of USA Today, and GateHouse Media, the owner of the Austin American-Statesman, Palm Beach Post and many papers in small- and mid-sized towns, are nearing a deal that would have GateHouse or its parent buy Gannett. GateHouse is part of New Media Investment Group, itself a unit of private equity firm Fortress Investment Group.