Michael Kinsley has written a very interesting opinion piece entitled Do Newspapers Have a Future? which is a very frank and authoritative smack-down from someone that comes from an ‘old media’ background.
Not to completely spoil the read I’ll just quote the last paragraph:
Newspapers on paper are on the way out. Whether newspaper companies are on the way out too depends. Some of them are going to find the answers. And some are going to fritter away the years quarreling about staff cuts.
While some might consider this to be a pretty bold statement, Kinsley’s prediction is based on current trends and stats (see Percent of People Reading a Newspaper) at least in the US and Europe to a certain extent. Whilst I am still of the opinion that newspapers will always retain a niche market, it’s clear that publishers need to start thinking about new business models and use their most valuable asset, “content”, in the most effective way.
Ironically, this is not what people usually shell-out for when they buy a newspaper but ultimately differentiates them from less reliable and amateur content.
1 peas on toast Sep 27th, 2006 at 8:55 amHi Colin!
Interesting perspective there. I still feel that at all costs, consumers will never stop reading the morning paper over their coffee. It’s one of those basic human rituals that will probably keep newspapers alive and well, no matter how small the ritual is.
Otherwise, how are you? And when you okes getting up to JHB so I can return the hospitality?
2 Shawn Rogers Sep 28th, 2006 at 7:20 amColin,
I couldn’t agree more. The newspaper industry was slow to adopt internet technology and continues to hold tightly to most of the old media rules and business models that have caused slumping circulation and ad sales. I sold my magazine in 1999 and couldn’t be happier. Just escaping the postage, printing and paper costs have almost guaranteed our success in our new online publication. Its only a matter of time before newspapers throw in the towel.