A lawyer and radio producer who is thinking about making a bid for United Press International says the only way to save the news agency is by making it a cooperative with stock owned by subscribers and others.
Leon H. Charney also said Wednesday that UPI reporters would be converted into independent contractors who would be offered stock and paid per story or per line instead of receiving a salary.Charney said he was meeting with a representative of a Dutch charitable foundation interested in putting up money for the rescue of UPI to obtain expanded coverage of environmental and Third World issues.
UPI has sought bankruptcy court protection for the second time in recent years. Charney made his move after religious broadcaster Pat Robertson withdrew a $6 million offer to buy the news service.