National Newspaper Week: Approximately 5,000 still standing
It’s National Newspaper Week, Oct. 5 through the 11th, and cause for celebration.
“Why? The newspaper business is a shadow of what it once was.”
Maybe, but despite the fact that more than 3,000 newspapers have closed up shop since 2005, approximately 5,000 print papers are still in business, in one form or another.
Better to look at life as the glass half full, rather than half empty.
In fact, the theme of this year’s Newspaper Week is: “Embracing Local Journalism for a Better Future.”
Not sure exactly what it means, but it sounds good.
Actually, I’m sure the point is, a free press, free speech is foundational to a free democracy, and if there are no news reporters around who are “afflicting the comfortable,” so to speak, then too many politicians can get away with things detrimental to the public good.
Flip around the saying so it reads — comfort the afflicted — and that, too, is the job of a decent newspaper. You’re there to shine a spotlight on the person getting run over by “the machine.”
Battered by “the Man.” (Gender neutral.)
Not even sure what “Gender neutral” means. Just thought it sounded good.
Since 2005, though, there’s no denying that the U.S. has lost almost two-thirds of its newspaper journalists. (Source: AP.)
On top of that, dozens of newspapers across the country don’t have a single fulltime reporter dedicated to that publication, according to the Wall Street Journal. They use a host of “stringers,” freelance writers.
More and more cities, counties, are being labeled “news deserts,” or “media deserts,” which means a community with limited or no access to credible, local news coverage.
The powers that be couldn’t be happier.
News Isn’t Free
As a counter, some people start an online news site and attempt to do the job of reporting the news, and sometimes they even scoop traditional media by posting a public document and beating everyone else to the punch, but in the end it comes down to, how are you going to monetize your product?
On top of writing, there is the job of selling ads. Typically, those in the news department and the ad department don’t get along, so good luck with that.
On top of that, writing copy, editing copy, interviewing people, collecting facts, takes time. Who’s going to do it for free?
No one. Even AI has to be fact checked.
Which makes you wonder, and I haven’t even checked, but who’s going to journalism school these days? I know most departments have been re-named “communications department,” but since traditional news-collecting roles have changed so much – reporter, camera operator, on-screen talent, anchor, writer, news director – and since there are reportedly so few jobs out there (newspapers closing down, TV layoffs, etc.), why are students still going to school, paying at least north of $50K to study journalism?
I’m glad there are, and I wish them well, but it’s a sad road ahead for news reporters, credible journalists.
Now AI is going to flood the ether with content, and you know what? I should just quit writing about the decline of newspapers or I will depress myself.
Moving forward, though, newspapers across the U.S. remain a bedrock of democracy, no matter how corny that may sound.
Anytime a politician wants to attack the media by labeling us all “fake,” painting with such a broad brush, you have to wonder, why?
Obviously, to discredit us among the general populace.
“You can’t believe anything they publish.”
Really? If that were true, you wouldn’t be saying that.
One of the people quoted in an old WSJ story about the media’s decline asks, “Who’s holding people accountable? There’s just got to be somebody watching.”
True enough. Which is why “National Newspaper Week” should be celebrated, I think.
Of course, I’m biased. Last but not least — For all those who support The Advance News Journal, thanks.