Printed newspapers would no longer be valuable to modern society because of the rise of digital platforms?
Introduction
The relationship between print and digital newspapers has changed significantly in today’s world due to digital transformation, customer preferences, and technology improvements. As internet platforms gain more clout, traditional printed newspapers — which were once the main source of news — now coexist with their digital counterparts. Because of those reasons, many people believe that traditional printed newspapers will no longer exist and will become more valuable in this modern and high technology society.
Body:
Printed newspaper means a publication issued regularly at stated intervals at least twice a month and printed on newsprint in tabloid or broadsheet format folded loosely together without stapling, glue, or any other binding of any kind, including any supplement of a printed newspaper ( Law Insider, n.d ). A digital newspaper is the online version of a newspaper, either as a stand-alone publication or as the online version of a printed periodical. Going online creates various opportunities for newspapers, such as presenting breaking news, decreasing costs, establishing strong brand recognition and having close relationships with advertisers ( How digital are digital newspaper, n.d)
Nonetheless, it is clear that print readership is declining as more people choose to consume news digitally. Typically, newspapers serve two main purposes, including: accessing information and making profit by advertising. In modern world of technological advancement, news organizations in particular and businesses in general have made use of social media as a main channel for their advertising and PR ( public relation ) campaigns. These platforms frequently incorporate interactive components, multimedia features, and exclusive online material. Revenue structures and advertisers have also adjusted to this change. Furthermore, online newspapers provide useful insights into reader behavior through analytics and potential for targeted advertising. As a result, news organizations now generate income from a variety of sources.. Specifically, online newspapers are now a widely used tool for information dissemination and may be accessed via websites and mobile applications. Readers can obtain news anytime, anywhere thanks to their worldwide reach, simplicity, and instantaneous delivery. With the digital format, news platforms improve the experience of consuming news by enabling multimedia components, interactive capabilities, and up-to-minute updates. It is undeniable that the technological convenience has made our lives easier and comfortable, yet at the same time, it also leads to some issues related to cultural and traditional values such as printed newspaper.
By contrast, there is still a small market for printed newspapers among those who enjoy the tactile feel of turning pages. A newspaper provides a feeling of tradition and dependability, and some readers enjoy the tactile experience of holding one. Compared to online newspapers, printed ones are identified with higher credibility and reputation from ethical journalism laws, government and news organization’s policies. Hence, it allows readers to access more trustworthy and credible news sources. In addition, it seems like printed newspapers engagement more people who prefer a habit of actual reading. By this way, readers can immerse themselves in reading for not just accessing news and information but also feeling the sense of actual reading.
So what’s really happened to printed newspapers? The majority of people may think technology is the main reason for this significant issue, and news organizations have been considering newspapers as a spot for advertising and selling, which is basically not the main function of a typical newspaper as it was. Yet, of course, we understand that newspapers get revenue from advertising to maintain their continuous operation, but somehow it gradually becomes more commercial and leaves the core values behind. In addition, I might consider technology or social media channels are such a medium for news delivery. Through the years, contents we access from traditional printed newspaper has been gloomy for its breaking sad news for instance: traffic accidents, murders or terrorism among nations. These kinds of contents we all can reach easily on Internet, so what is the point for printed newspaper repeat the same values with its tradition boring “platform”? People have no longer read or buy newspapers because of one of these reasons: boring content, overwhelming advertising and poor delivery methods. Besides, the young generation as a main consumer resource have equipped themselves well-educated performance and knowledgeable horizons, which means it is challenging to keep their interest in printed newspapers as it was.
Conclusion:
To sum up, it is unavoidable how much digital advancement has transformed printed newspapers to online newspapers in terms of both content and delivery method. As a young reader, I believe that traditional newspapers will not be completely replaced by digital ones. Printed newspapers are also considered as a cultural identity of a nation; it represents the nation’s views and concerns regarding various domestic and worldwide aspects. Therefore, as discussed above, news organizations and journalists may need to adjust and adapt to the current changes in modern society.
References
(PDF) HOW DIGITAL ARE DIGITAL NEWSPAPERS? (2020, December 4). ResearchGate. Retrieved January 15, 2024, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346036111_HOW_DIGITAL_ARE_DIGITAL_NEWSPAPERS
Printed newspaper Definition. (n.d.). Law Insider. Retrieved January 15, 2024, from https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/printed-newspaper
