RIP Newspapers

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-december-9-2008/clusterf--k-to-the-poor-house---final-edition-edition#@k-to-the-poor-house

First of all, let me start by saying that I love Jon Stewart.

He has a valid point in his video in that the Newspaper industry is struggling. Dying?  I don't think so. Newspapers are just having to adapt to the ever-changing technological times. More people are going to the Internet for information, instead of sitting down to read the paper. Many newspapers have quickly adapted to having the same coverage available online as they have in their actual hard copy.

On the other hand, many of the older generations of society still prefer to read an actual newspaper. Whether it be because they are technologically illiterate or set in their ways, we'll never know but many people still rely on it as their source of news. My grandmother gets her newspaper every morning and sits down to read the entire paper over a cup of coffee. I feel that for them, there is also a sense of security in relying on a newspaper. Many people (and myself included) believe that journalists are first account reporters of a story and give an unbiased, mult-sided view, therefore we feel that the paper is the best way to get the real scoop.

I feel like if the newspaper industry disappeared, we would be in a mess. TV News is too biased and every News Corporation is on a different wavelength, therefore I feel that consumers don't get the best coverage in that spectrum. As for radio, in order to get the volume that we get from our newspapers, we would have to invest in a few radio stations that were strictly news. And they would have to be free because not everyone will splurge on XM Satellite radio. Therefore, not profiting the news industry.

I think the Newspaper industry adapting to the Internet is a good thing. Everyone is jumping on the Green/Eco-friendly wagon anyway, and saving paper is never a bad thing (Just ask UNC ). For the younger generations, it is more convenient in that we can access our news anywhere without having to go retrieve our bulky hard copy.  There are downsides in that many people will only read the news that is interesting to them, causing a decrease in public awareness on some issues. Also, Newspapers will have to eventually start charging a fee or sell more online ad space to supplement their income and pay their writers.

Will they ever stop printing newspapers? Probably not. Jon Stewart made this video in 2008. 3 years later, you still receive a USA today under your hotel door and you can pick up The Daily Tarheel on the way to class. Many people will continue to read a paper copy whether it be because they're old fashioned or they enjoy their newspaper clippings. To Each His Own.