Is Print Journalism Becoming Obsolete in the Wake of Digital Media?

I’m the first to admit that, when it comes to seeking out news and information, I head online to find it. The idea of picking up a newspaper to catch up on worldly events seems somewhat like a novel concept to me. It’s something I imagine saving for a rainy day, tucked up in some small cafe at breakfast time with a cup of tea, turning the pages to fill the time. But, ask anyone my age and they’re more than likely say the same.

So, what does online journalism offer that its predecessor can’t? What’s the major difference between turning a page or scrolling on a screen? In my opinion, online news outlets offer a wider, more diverse search platform that is unique to me. Compared to print journalism, online news articles and sites offer the inclusion of videos, sound and access to sources, making digital journalism a much more exciting and immersive experience. It’s quick, direct and (broadband and phone bills aside) free. Plus, it’s all available from the comfort of my very own home. Okay, so going out to pick up a newspaper is hardly the most taxing of activities. But you get the idea.

Sure, there’s nothing quite like having a tangible product in your hands. It’s almost like the ownership an album in it’s CD format compared to that of an mp3 download, or comparing a physical copy of a book with a Kindle eBook (a debate that us English Literature students agonise over.)

But in age where technology has made everything seemingly easier and more accessible print journalism has undeniably suffered, with readership for British newspapers falling 13% this year, as estimated by the National Readership Survey. Magazines have gone out of print, only to resume their content online to an even larger following. Take, for example, fashion magazine ‘Company’ who announced their final issue in September this year, but continued to publish their content via online blogs, Instagram accounts and Twitter users to a mass of devoted readers. Social media can be regarded somewhat as both the cause and cure of the apparent decline of print journalism, as platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook have undoubtedly changed the way we perceive news and our definition of what it is to be a journalist (an issue I recently discussed on my blog which you can read here.)

According to news.com.au, more iPhones are sold in 24 hours than babies born in the world. With apps that make accessing news as easy as a click of a button, it’s clear that print journalism is losing its touch in an increasingly digitally dominated world, with Pew Research Journalism Project reporting that out of the 64% of American adults that use Facebook, a staggering 30% use the site as their only source of news. But, all things considered, print journalism still appeals to a generation and population other than those whose iPhone never leaves their side, with Sun columnist James Manning claiming the demise of print journalism to be a "myth" and "still very important for some of us," suggesting that there is indeed still a demand for the printed word. 

So, you might just find me in that cafe after all.