02-06-2009, 12:33 PM
Damon, I wouldn't be too quick to write newspapers' obituary. Despite the dogged efforts of the Hunter Bishops and Ian Linds of the world, blogs still aren't able to provide the quality, depth and reach of a staff of trained, experienced (and paid) writers. And the demand for local news is probably the main reason we haven't seen all newspaper operations outsourced like the copy editing and page design already being done in India.
Of course, if newspapers keep laying off reporters there could eventually be wholesale changes, such as an increasing move toward strictly online publications. But, aside from the hobbyists, those also require staff which requires salaries, and since charging for online subscriptions hasn't worked very well so far (people have tended to go where it's free), a new model involving ad revenues will have to be developed.
Because advertising is never going to go away, newspapers will continue to exist in some form. They just may be harder to recognize.
Of course, if newspapers keep laying off reporters there could eventually be wholesale changes, such as an increasing move toward strictly online publications. But, aside from the hobbyists, those also require staff which requires salaries, and since charging for online subscriptions hasn't worked very well so far (people have tended to go where it's free), a new model involving ad revenues will have to be developed.
Because advertising is never going to go away, newspapers will continue to exist in some form. They just may be harder to recognize.