Goodbye Paper?
Goodbye Paper?
Submitted by Dick McMichael on Wed, 08/09/2006 - 8:22am.It appears to me that the medium of paper is on its way to becomming obsolete. It is so much cheaper to publish via the Internet, no newsprint, no presses to maintain, no people to maintain them. Also, disposing of all that paper everyday - or, if you are like me, you let them pile up and then have to get rid of a lot of it - is a bother that most people probably will not miss.
Then, there is the youth audience to consider. They are computer and online oriented. It appears to be much easier to get them to read material on their computers than in newspapers, magazines and books. The future is online, at least until something else comes along.
The newspapers do have an important tool in switching to online editions sucessfully. They can build their site audiences by promoting it in their hard copy edition, which is what they are doing big time. Doesn't that mean a loss in circulation as people switch. Probably, but not to do it would be catastrophic denial.
TV news has reason to worry about the newspaper's taking away their edge of streaming video by adding video to their online editions. It's costly, but if the papers are going to dominate online, they know they have to do it. Yes, it's a new ball game, folks.
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Thanks
for posting this. Good thoughts. Will be interesting to have the perspective of someone in the broadcast news biz.
thanks again,
kpaul
p.s. i'll get back with you soon re: podcasting ;)
p.p.s. i've not disappeared, just silently working on a pretty big project to try to raise money myself for MFP since most of the world seems to be ignoring us.
Still in transition
While more and more of us are getting our information online, there's still a need for the printed versions (such as the Sunday issues).
Print vs. digital also is a generational thing (though I hate to stereotype). Don't alienate older but still loyal readers by going too quickly to online publishing.
Mike
i agree
i think citizen media sites need to realize this too.
welcome to the site, btw. nice to have you here.
Cheaper, but also better?
I agree with you that the paper probably will dissapear entirely within a century, however, I am not sure if this will be a improvement for the journalism. If you see how much rubbish is on the internet. Everybody can create a blog and add information on the net, how can you know which information or news is thrustworthy and which is not? Do we really have to regard the online publications as a positive thing? Maybe I am cynical about the future of good and solid journalism. In the end, the future will give me the answer.
the thing is
Journalism is still gonna be around. the delivery vehicle and ownership of the media is changing, though. Give us a chance before you write us off as 'just another blog' at Muncie Free Press.
Also, welcome to the site! How'd you find us?