Future of Local Newspapers: Making the Transition to a Completely Paperless Production

Ask around. The common consensus is that newspapers are a dying art form. With rising costs and declining subscriptions, by this time next year, local newspapers will be actively exploring the option of going completely paperless.

Newspaper production costs have increased over the years. The ink is a petroleum-based product, and we all know from the rising gasoline prices that petroleum products are more expensive now.

I work for my local newspaper, which is a small weekly newspaper with approximately 2,000 subscribers. We also send out 5,000 shopper papers free to subscribers and residents in the county. Typically, we produce a six-page newspaper and a six-page shopper. We pay $750 - $800 per week for our press run.

Postal increases have hit local newspapers hard. With the most recent increase, our second and third class postage has increased about $50 per week. Now the cost to mail our papers, on a weekly basis, is approximately $850.

Our average subscription price is $35. With 2,000 subscribers, our weekly income from subscription rates is about $1350, which is $300 shy of the weekly expenses. Our subscription rates do not cover the cost to print and mail the newspaper weekly.

Local newspapers also have to compete with the Internet. Most people I know check online news sources instead of subscribing to a newspaper. Internet news is readily available any hour of the day, it's constantly updated, and most times, it's free. People just aren't subscribing to newspapers anymore.

There are drawbacks to local newspapers going completely paperless. One thing the newspaper must consider is whether their readership will follow the transition to the Internet. In smaller communities, local newspaper readers may not have Internet access. Another thing to consider is whether the subscribers are comfortable having personal information on the Internet.

Training newspaper staff, and making the switch to the Internet, may be difficult and costly. Traditional newspaper employees may resist the change. Equipment, training classes, and the website setup and design may prove to be a large expense.

However, change is inevitable, and there are many benefits to local newspapers going completely paperless. Despite the expense of the transition, over time the newspaper would save on production and mailing costs. By charging a fee and setting up a password to access the news on the Internet, personal information wouldn't be out there for the world to see. The transition to completely paperless could save local newspapers thousands of dollars.

It's also environmentally friendly for local newspapers to go completely paperless. Not only would it save trees, it would cut back on the amount of newspapers carelessly tossed in the trash to be hauled out to landfills. Making the switch to the Internet would be a 'green' option for local newspapers.

By posting news directly to the Internet, local newspapers would be able to publish their news instantly and keep up with the competition. As the old adage goes, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.