Jeff Jacoby writing at The Boston Globe over the weekend writes about this. It’s a thoughtful piece – in a newspaper of all mediums. Howard Owens and others have some interesting observations on the same topic at his blog.
Discussion of the future of newspapers is important yet pretty much neglected here in Australia. Either we’re in denial or the challenges playing out overseas will pass us by.
Given the importance of newspapers to newsagents, it is vital we engage in the conversation about the future of the product in its current form. Such engagement will, hopefully, guide our commercial considerations about our own future. Our retail and distribution businesses were, after all, created by publishers to serve their needs.
Hi Mark, This is an interesting blog and I thank you for that. I had to post as I believe this is an important topic and fairly so, I followed the links to read the comments.
I believe newspapers will still play an important part in the future but maybe they need to look at their product and not be so quick to point the cause of the decline at something else. Why not step back and take a proper look at what it is they are putting into print. These days, it’s more appropriate to use the paper for something other than reading, as in the “olden” days. 🙂
Do we really want to read mindless banter on paper that leaves black stains on our hands and clothes? No! Clean up the words, reduce the advertising and give us REAL NEWS. I for one would love to read about what’s happening in my state, not what’s happening to some actress in a gaol in America. Report facts and not fiction that will sell. Give us reports on where the nation’s money is being spent or how are farmers are coping and what we can do to help. Expose and name and shame people who are doing “crooked” things, if you want sensationalism to sell. Keep it real. The world is not all doom and gloom. Give us positive news too! Do a big report on something good that is happening and not glorify the bad all the time.
Yet another thought would be to change the look of the paper. Why not try putting it into the size of a small magazine. Not everyone wants to struggle with a huge paper when sitting on a bus or train. We don’t all have time to spread it out on the table while having a leisurely breakfast. Move with the times and cater to the fast lane! Reduce the size of the product for ease of use, improve the news to stimulate our brains and it will be a win, win situation. We get news, they get sales, you guys make some money too!
John,
There are many in the US and Europe who agree with you – that content quality (or lack thereof) is doing more to harm the future of the newspaper as we currently know it than disruption caused by technology.
I want news I can trust and opinion I respect. These are rare in newspapers today.
mark