As someone whose family is being personally affected by the newspaper crisis, it’s undeniable to me that the demise of the newspaper industry will have a horrible impact on our democracy as a whole. Newspapers are no match for the immediacy of the internet or the inexpensive allure of websites so the decline should come as no shock to anyone. In fact, an online survey done by the Princeton Survey Research Associates shows just how significant this decline has become nationwide. While this shift to online information may be more efficient, accessible, and ultimately increase the variety of news sources people have to choose from, it’s important to ask ourselves, “Is this really a good thing?”
Many people are getting their information from online news sources like CNN or MSNBC, but what about those who choose to acquire information from other places such as blogs or the often unfiltered comments left on real informational sites? How much fact checking are bloggers actually doing and how reliable are their sources? Not to mention that there is little to no accountability for blogs or the comments made online because no one is required to provide their actual identities. Newspapers are widely regarded as a reliable news source because their stories are provided by journalists who are often onsite, talking to those involved in the story, and fact checking their sources. Online, how can we prove the reliability or accuracy of the sites we choose to read from?
The public is also, by eliminating a trustworthy source of news, subjecting itself to more corporate advertisement. The main purpose of newspapers has always been to filter out the garbage and report the crucial information as a check of sorts on those with power. Now that information is going mainly online, it opens the door for practically unregulated product endorsements and for stories that could hurt big companies to go unprinted. This also connects back with the lack of accountability of internet sources because it’s not uncommon for bloggers to be paid to support a product or even in some cases for companies to create seemingly legitimate blogs with the sole purpose of endorsing their product. How do we know who’s providing us the information that we’re reading and what their agenda is?
The biggest impact, though, will undoubtedly be on the economy. The rapid decline this year may have been even more than expected according to the New York Times and this will only lead to further layoffs. With unemployment already approaching 8 percent nationally, it’s questionable how well the United States will be able to rebound from another large economic blow. Ultimately, what people have to consider about the rapid decline of the newspaper industry is how reliable are these new internet sources, where’s the accountability, and exactly how much are we losing?
I really agree with your opening paragraph and show how you understand that newspapers will be n match for the internet. You also bring up a good point in asking if this is really a good thing. No one really knows yet, because it is a new phenomena. People need to realize that many of these sources where we get our information from are not legit. If everyone reads the same blog, and believes the blog, what happens to personal opinion? When it comes to opinions in today's society, many are very gullible and have opinions based on what their friends, or family believe. Personal opinion is hard to find today.
ReplyDeleteI also like how you brought up the economy in the end. Many jobs are in the newspaper industry and when companies are losing income, they layoff employees. This is already a tough enough time as it is as we are starting to get out of the recession.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with this posting and the evidence of the online survey shows exactly what is happening to today’s newspapers. The hypothetical question “Is this really a good thing” could be looked at positively or negatively. I do believe that the internet has many disadvantages such as people are not held accountability for their work or writing. However, the internet is giving media and writers different ways to approach the news. James Stovall suggests that today’s audience have more sources of news and information so their participation rate in the news environment has increased. This may be keeping citizens more informed, but like this posting says there are many ways it is destroying the economy.
ReplyDeleteUnemployment rates are skyrocketing and there is not a need for many journalists so many are running out of work or receiving pay cuts. For an ordinary person to be able to create news and information online, it makes what is happening to these print journalists devastating. Stovall also states that for those that have been in this media business for a long period of time, these changes may seem like nothing is the same. New technology is giving writers new challenges and along with many other things in life, journalism will once have new traditions that are separated from the newspaper.
One reason that the internet may not be the best way to receive online information is because even though you may receive it fast, it is also written fast. Print journalists take their time editing, some have an editor, and each word is placed in their work for a reason. In web journalism, rules are still important. In online journalism, there are no deadlines but yet people still write with immediacy. I agree that it is important that citizens filter out information to find credible sources, but sometimes blogs may be a good idea to view opinions or how some people may view a subject. It is a freely way to express opinion and evidence, and it is up to the reader to determine if the evidence is something that is reliable. I think the online journalism is extending our ways of being citizens and using our rights to filter information and decide what is important.
The newspaper is and always will be a big part of the history of journalism. The effect it is taking reminds me of similar technologies such as the CD. The music industry is being critically hurt because the decline of people purchasing CDS. Artists are not receiving credit for their music and people can simply go online and purchase free music without even stepping foot in a store. The internet is not only changing journalism but other forms of entertainment like television and music. The internet is giving the public easy access to things we once had to pay for. The accessibility of getting these things is possible with just a click of the mouse. People do not realize the effect they are having on industries, but the web holds so much information and I feel it is our duty to decide what we should view and how we give credit to others online.