by David Brown

Created on: January 23, 2009

It is interesting that many believe that our present financial crisis is causing the threat to the newspaper/print media to take a nose dive. Well, in this writer's opinion, and he certainly does not have all of the answers, is this: the Internet, since its inception nearly 30 years ago, is the absolute reason for the decline and the threat to newspapers. This is not to say that the print media cannot make a comeback, but it certainly does say that more and more people around the world are relying more and more on the Internet for their news.

For instance, people are certainly addicted to the Internet. Not everyone however, has a laptop. So, those who start their day going to a greasy spoon or the neighborhood diner that like to read the newspaper, will still do so. Unfortunately, those numbers are in decline. Presently, this writer is on his laptop at the local diner writing this response. Before logging on, this writer also read news on his Yahoo Home Page. So, humanities addiction to the Internet is one reason why it threatens newspapers around the globe.

Another reason why it is possible that the internet is becoming a threat to newspapers is this: more and more newspapers are extremely biased and politically inclined toward one political party. More people want to be able to read news that is fair and balanced. This is possible on the internet. The other thing is this: more and more news stations have internet sites where people can go to catch their news.

Here is another obvious reason. Granted, newspapers still carry coupons and advertisements for local and state stores and national chains. At the same time, the Internet offers coupons as well that can be printed out and redeemed at local stores. What is nice about this is that sometimes you can find better deals through the on-line coupons and it is possible that retailers are utilizing the Internet more than newspapers because it could be less expensive than printing their advertisements.

What is also happening, which is unfortunate, is that the newspaper/print media is having to raise the cost of their newspapers. This is because more and more people are turning to the Internet. It is a supply and demand issue and when the supply is greater than the demand, prices seem to climb somewhat higher.

One last thought here is this: In the United States, and maybe even overseas, especially in Europe, cities, small and large, are beginning to get clogged with free hometown style newspapers that also offer cheaper rates for advertising. This is something that can be turning people away from newspapers and even turning them more again toward the Internet.

It is ashame because this writer does enjoy once in a while picking up the local city newspaper. What is interesting is that he finds it better for bathroom wallpaper than he does to read it.

Learn more about this author, David Brown.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.