Google generates as much revenue as all US newspapers combined

... but fails to generate as much quality journalism as even one US newspaper.

Define quality journalism however you wish, but please consult a definition of journalism, e.g. how to write, edit and report news.

The point is, as with so many things they offer, not just news, Google is nothing but a middleman. They are not going to be the ones to keep e.g. decent long form journalism alive.

How that situation - a monoplistic middleman for news - bodes for our long term future is some interesting food for thought.