The Death of the Local Newspaper- Will Online News Kill Print Journalism?

Recently, Editor & Publisher announced it will be shutting its doors by the end of the year. There is irony in a newspaper industry trade publication closing down after 125 years in the midst of the largest slump in sales printed newspapers have ever seen. The newspaper industry has been hurting since open-source online news outlets became popular. Even mega-giants like the New York Times newspaper are barely escaping the down turn. The death of Editor & Publisher is just one more indication that print journalism may be going the way of the dinosaur. The internet changed everything, but can websites and social media really mean the end of the local newspaper?

The Beginning of the End for the Local Newspaper and Printed Giant Alike

It started a few years ago with smaller, local newspapers closing down. Then giants as large as the New York Times newspaper started to cut back on staff, and now those newspaper giants may be closing their doors all together. According to Business Insider.com, 150 newspapers closed down in 2009, and 24/7 Wall St. is guessing that the New York Daily and the San Francisco Chronicle may be next in line. That isn't a little local newspaper on the verge of extinction; those are newspaper giants that aren't able to survive.

On the outside it seems that a printed newspaper is no match for the ever-updating, ever-free, ever-evolving Google news feed. Online news outlets cater to two of society's favorite things; getting more information through more technology then one can handle, and getting something for free. How is a newspaper, especially a local newspaper, which is written, edited, printed, and distributed supposed to compete with a news source that is easily obtainable, updated constantly, and free? Even with the New York Times newspaper subscription getting cheaper by the year, it still isn't free. Add in the fact that newspapers, much like books, are seen by many as an archaic way of getting information, and it makes sense that the newspapers are hurting.

Next Up: A War for Your Newspaper Readership

2009 was by far the worst year for the newspaper industry, and truth be told, far worse years may be in the printed words' future. After all, The New York Daily and The San Francisco Chronicle aren't the only newspapers facing the guillotine. The Chicago Tribune, the Fort Worth Star Telegram, and far too many a local newspaper to list are also rumored to be facing the chopping block. That is, if the newspapers can't do something to gain back your loyal readership (and your subscription dues.)

I, like most people, romanticize newspaper journalism. When I open the local newspaper, I picture a hard-working Journalist pounding the pavement, hammering witnesses; notepad in hand. I, like most people, like the idea of sitting down Sunday mornings to a cup of coffee and the Sunday edition of the New York Times newspaper. Tradition is a powerful motivator, and that tradition is going to keep loyal newspaper readers.

Along with tradition, newspapers also carry a lot of respect. The New York Times newspaper is one of the most respected news sources in the nation. Problem with the online news outlets- the old adage, "you get what you pay for" applies far too frequently. While there are some fantastic journalists writing fantastic pieces on many news websites; a lot of what the online world considers "news" is really just recycled tidbits of information or personal opinion. The quality found in the New York Times newspaper, or a local newspaper like the Times-Picayune in New Orleans, just isn't there. Readers who bank on quality are going to keep their newspaper subscriptions going.

Unfortunately, loyal and quality concerned readers seem to be of the few and not the many, and the newspaper industry can't blame the recession for the decline in sales forever. To stay afloat, the local newspaper, and giants like the New York Times newspaper, has to up their game. The printed newspaper industry needs to get onboard with the online world. Websites need to become more interactive and social media needs used almost to the point of abused. Without embracing technology, the newspaper really will be the modern dinosaur. After all, free is a hard competitor to beat without an upper hand.

Preethi Dumpala, "The Year the Newspaper Died," www.businessinsider.com

Douglas A. McIntyre, "Twelve Major Media Brands Likely to Close in 2009," www.247wallst.com