The Great American Newspaper: Becoming Extinct?

Communities across the United States are suffering from the demise of newspapers which could leave a dramatically diminished version of democracy in America. Newspaper companies are suffering from huge debt, high costs, declining subscription rates, and a plummeting ad base. Many newspaper companies are being forced to shut down which is causing a larger problem for American citizens.

First, the decline of newspapers is causing thousands of journalists to lose their jobs. According to TheNation.com, in 2008 there were almost 16,000 journalist positions eliminated. Soon network news operations will employ no more than a handful of employees causing many more job losses in the future.

Secondly, newspapers provide passionate, unbiased reports that explain what is happening locally and nationally to the everyday American. With the demise of newspapers, citizens will have to get their news and explanation of what is happening from another source such as the internet, radio, or television. However, radio and TV stations have shifted from concentrating on hard news to focusing on celebrity and weather based news that will generate a profit. Also, reading news on the internet allows readers to choose what they read and they can get the information they want to hear instead of an unbiased, balanced report of all sides.

Thirdly, America is founded on the value of the press, not merely as a watchdog, but essential to inform citizens. Because American citizens value newspapers and unbiased news, they feel satisfaction and accomplishment when they finish reading a newspaper. Reading news on the internet doesn’t provide that same feeling of accomplishment because they cannot physically hold it in their hand. Also, listening or watching news that is celebrity or weather based does not give citizens the same feeling of being an informed citizen.

Lastly, another problem associated with the demise of newspapers is that internet news does not involve investigative journalism. Online bloggers are not investigative journalists and can sometimes report rumors or false information. Also, news posted on the internet is constantly updated. This is good because citizens will be informed quickly, however, it can also be posted too quickly and the facts may not be checked which could lead to false information. This may affect the quality of democracy when people can abuse their power or be provided false information because the story was not fully investigated before being reported.

Therefore, the demise of newpapers is not only affecting journalists but all American citizens.