Newspaper vs. Television News

The question whether the newspaper will soon give way to other information outlets have stirred up many a conversation througout the journalist community. An article from stateofthenewmedia.org asks where are the readers going? Are these people moving away from traditional news sources? Apparently they are, the number of newspapers in the average American household has been on a steady decline since the 90's. Lifestyle and technological changes has altered the news business. The website also states that the newspaper industry is not only losing young readers, but readers from almost every age group. It's also failing to target newer immigrant groups. Should we start the farewell party now??? Don't send the invitations out yet.

According to the article How Old Media Can Survive In a New World, the nightly broadcasts on ABC, CBS and NBC have had a 28.4% decline in total viewers since 1991, according to Nielsen Media Research. DVD, wireless technologies, satellite radio, high-definition TV and digital video recorders like TiVo have also caused a decline in television news. There is just something about having a paper delivered to you in the morning and having it right there in your hand. The article also states that in '78, the three original broadcast networks captured about 90% of the prime-time audience. Today, it's less than 50%.

Newspaper vs. Internet News

Instant access to information and current events is the advantage that many people say the internet has on the good old fashioned newspaper. In the article from The Wall Street Journal mentioned above, audiences respond to the authenticity and novelty of the content. "People aren't going to the Internet because it looks like a newspaper," Larry Ellin says. "It's because they're getting something exotic and fresh and new and unfiltered. It's like eating French cheese. It hasn't been pasteurized. And it's good." People also prefer internet news over newspapers because of the "cool factor". Instant access is also a main reason, at your fingertips access is heavily favored over grabbing a paper, and it's only going to improve and get better.But because the only room internet news has is to improve, can also be it's downfall. Readers might not want to jump on the bandwagon because it's still ironing out some kinks. Therefore staying loyal to their dependable newspaper. Not to mention age demographics as internet news is favored in the 25 to 34 age range and is now after the 18 to 24 range. Which means it's not trying to target the older democraphic. Should they be?? Aren't they digesting the most news??

So is it here to stay??

We think that the newspaper will not give way to television news or internet news because it's not the same thing. It's a different outlet of information. It will continue to be another choice in how we decide to get our news for years to come. There will always be a market for it. How big or how small is yet to be determined.