SOCIETY
Why Do I Still Love Reading Print Newspapers?
Reading the news not only informs but also fosters interactions and a sense of community
Living in a small village means having rooted habits and customs that maybe in a big city are difficult to maintain. Life here moves at a slower pace, and the sense of community is palpable, with social interactions playing a significant role in daily life. There are a couple of cafeterias in the main square where from eight or eight-thirty in the morning, people stop to have a coffee or meet there to have breakfast.
Oh, yes, in Spain people usually don’t have breakfast at home early in the morning. They stop around nine or ten and eat their baguette-style sandwiches (the popular bocadillo or bocata in Castilian, entrepà in Catalan, literally meaning “between bread”) and a juice, water, white coffee or even a glass of wine or beer. Generally, a small plate with olives is served as well. We are a typical Mediterranean country, you know, and life revolves basically around food.
Anyway, since in today’s society age news consumption is predominantly online, the appeal of print newspapers may seem outdated to many. However, for avid readers like myself, the tactile experience and unique benefits of the print press continue to hold a special place in our daily routine. As a journalist, I read many digital media regularly, both domestic and international. I wish I knew more languages, but reading in English provides me with ample insight into global affairs.
Personally, I think there’s a sort of undeniable nostalgia about flipping through the pages of a physical newspaper. The crisp sound of the paper as you turn each page, the distinct smell of the paper and ink — reminiscent of the experience of reading a book — and the feeling of holding a tangible piece of history in your hands evoke a sense of connection to a tradition that digital platforms simply cannot replicate. Reading a print paper offers a respite from the constant barrage of notifications and distractions that accompany online news consumption or whichever digital activity you are coping with.
The tactile experience and unique benefits of the print press continue to hold a special place in our daily routine
As most of the bars and cafeterias in Spain have newspapers at customers’ disposal, I like to linger over my black coffee and read the news. First of all, I love reading with my eyes away from the screen, if only for a while. The layout of a journal encourages me to stumble upon unexpected stories simply by their placement on the page. My favourite genre is in-depth reportage with objective and useful information, comprehensible data — if needed — and a global perspective to contextualize the whole story.
Well-crafted photographs complement the narrative, making complex issues more accessible. I tend to have a look at the central pages of the paper, just to find out if the current reportage is attractive enough at a glance.
Since I live in a bilingual society there are many papers in both languages, even those aimed at sports coverage. Today, I had a coffee in a bar where they didn’t use to have papers but surprisingly, this morning I found many of them. Probably they know that people still like reading in the paper while having breakfast or a drink. In a country where it is widely said that we don’t read so much, I think it’s important to preserve these habits to be in touch with reality and current events. Moreover, as I stated before, it could become a digital detox spell from our long-time sessions on the Internet.
Throughout the day, newspapers go from one customer to another, as if they were reused hand-me-downs. Maybe in the afternoon, they are already worn out and with some oil or coffee stains, but apart from their main function, I think they also help social interactions. Normally, some pieces of news spark conversations and debates amid groups of friends, mates, or retirees who tend to stick up for their ideas passionately. Though digital platforms offer convenience and accessibility, newspapers provide a sensory experience needed in the digital world.
Some pieces of news spark conversations and debates amid groups of friends, mates, or retirees who tend to stick up for their ideas passionately
Any more benefits? Of course… If people were to read more different papers, there wouldn’t be so much political polarization. While scrolling through a news website or social media we are often drawn to click on articles that align with our pre-existing interests or ideas, which leads to a narrow and simplistic view of life. Most people when confronted with this lack of context and perspective just deny the evidence concerned.
After I finish my black coffee, a middle-aged woman asks me for the journal I was reading. It’s her coffee break now, and she’s eager to catch up on the news.
