Newspapers Today

There has been much talk lately that newspapers are on their way out. One United States senator even went as far as to call them an endangered species. Sadly, there seems to be much truth to this characterization. Overall, readership of newspapers across the country is down. A number of newspapers, big and small, are either folding, going totally on-line and no longer printing, and laying off significant numbers of staff. Collectively, these are highly disturbing trends for a profession that not only been the primary chronicler of our nation's history but in many ways has shared that same history in significant ways.

As a former journalism major in college and professional newspaper reporter for several years, this industry has always had a warm spot in my heart. Newspapers are as much apart of my days as anything. If they, in fact, do disappear, then it will be a very sad day in my life. But having said that, I believe what is happening with newspapers today must be viewed in the larger context of the evolution of communication itself. The decline of newspapers should not be interpreted that people are less interested in news and information. I argue that, in fact, people are more hungry for those commodities than ever before. In fact, the public's taste for the latest in national and international news, sports, weather, entertainment scoops, etc. is exhibiting itself in the creation of the many new forms of communication that seem to be popping up almost weekly.

These new forms of communication suggest that not only are people more hungry for the latest in news and information, but more and more they want to be part of it. Take my blog, for instance. Each week I comment on a profession of great importance to me. In a nutshell, I do this because I wish to more actively involved in its existence and ultimate growth. This blog provides me with one way of actually being out on the playing field rather than on the sidelines simply cheering along. So, let us continue to support newspapers as best we can, but at the same recognize that their possible demise is more reflective of our growing desire to play a participating role in the exchanging of information that goes on around us each and every day. In short, more and more we seem to be recognizing that newspapers are not meeting this new need of ours.