So Newspapers are Dying...who cares?

Unfortunately, not many people. Researchers at the Pew Centre for the People and the Press found that only 43% of Americans think that civic culture would be hurt "a lot" if local newspapers ceased publication. Less than half of all Americans believe their local newspaper is necessary; no wonder newspapers are facing a crisis.
Citizens are no longer as active in their community as they once were. Why would a citizen pick up a paper about their community if it's not of interest to them? This is especially true for our younger generation. As Harvard University scholar Robert Putnam wrote in his book, Bowling Alone, "Young adults were far less likely than older people not just to read a newspaper, but also to attend religious services, sign a petition, go to a public meeting, write to an elected official or serve as an officer in a local organization." Older citizens seem to be the only crowd hanging onto the paper and as they become the minority, so do the newspapers.
However, just because the newspapers are dying, doesn't mean the news is. Sure the newspaper industry has been seeing a downfall, but where they see a loss other forms of media see a gain. The internet is the most popular example of this. One click and you are opened to a cyber world of endless information. Why hassle with unfolding pages and pages of flimsy paper when you can simply circle a mouse around. Why pay for a monthly subscription when you can access all you need to know for free online. The internet is the new "paperboy." Citizens are shifting their news outlets as newer and more convenient methods are introduced.
The fact is that there will always be a demand for news, whether through a newspaper or through an iphone. The problem with newspaper is that it has not evolved at a rate in which to keep up with current culture of technology and need for constant information. As trends continue, newspapers face even more of a threat. I try to say that I would be concerned if our newspaper died, but I couldn't tell you the last time I picked up our Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It's a struggle between newspaper and technology. I guess the winner will be which ever context we read the results from.