Would the quality of news gathering diminish if news papers no longer existed - Essay Example

Would the quality of news gathering diminish if newspapers no longer existed? In recent years, the popularity of printed newspapers has experienced a remarkably sharp decline which now threatens the continued viability of such publications. In reality, such printed publications have been vastly overmatched by the evolution of digital mediums which provide instant access and updates on current events. Yet this does not mean that public demand for information has slackened, there has simply been a shift in the cultural practices used to access the news.

There is no reason to expect the quality of news gathering would be significantly affected in a negative manner by the absence of printed newspaper distribution as professional journalistic practices have evolved along with technological advances and cultural trends. Modern technologies have provided a wider selection of news sources while simultaneously providing access to numerous resources through which to verify the veracity of the information provided. While news organizations established prior to the advent of the internet have subsequently contributed web-based versions for subscribers to the digital catalogue, other companies such as Yahoo.

com have elected to create a place of their own in providing news from local, regional, national, and international sources. This glut of news sharing allows a minimum of pieces which could be regarded as yellow journalism to make it into the mainstream media as misinformation. Having numerous sources makes it more apparent when unfounded or opinion based stories are found to conflict with the reality of events. However, this spirit of collaboration and information sharing is not without its pitfalls.

Numerous news agencies now employ wide spread re-publication of stories linked to national and international events throughout media, a practice which could limit the scope of available accurate and relevant reporting if left unchecked. Fortunately, circumstance dictates the limitations of duplicating information. Competition in the free market lessens the possibility of such all-consuming laziness in news gathering professions as profit remains the key to the success of an organization regardless of the medium in which the news is offered to the public.

As a result, the timeliness and accuracy of the news which has been gathered form reputable sources constitutes the intellectual property which serves as the basis for their success and is paramount to other concerns. As familiarity and access to internet sources has spread and people have lost interest in buying printed newspapers, they have become increasingly dependent upon digital transfer of information through media websites to provide them with accurate information. While this has led to widespread adaptation within the field of journalism, some fundamental aspects of the profession remain inviolate.

As a result, though the current trend suggests that websites will ultimately replace printed distribution entirely, the methods by which information is gathered and the process by which it is verified continue to function in a manner which produces quality, verifiable news information.