Factors That Address the Future of Newspapers - Essay Example

Newspapers Customer inserts his/her surname College August 25, 2011 Newspapers The term newspaper refers to a conglomerate of papers that contain documented information and are bided together. Most newspapers produced across the world contain information on happenings that have taken place within 24 hours. According to Harcup and Cole (2010) newspapers are ancient information dissemination tools aimed at informing the masses on the events happening within and beyond their boundaries. The history of modern newspapers dates back in the year 1536 in Venice that was geared towards the dissemination of information on the happenings on the way in Turkey. Moreover, massive production (Jones 2009) of newspapers came as a result of the introduction of printing services by Johann Gutenberg in 1450 in Germany. Newspapers are advantageous since they are not governed by cultural or political barriers in the dissemination of information and thus can be very helpful to both the literate, semi-literate and illiterate members of the society. This is because they can be written in a language easily understood by the populous unlike other forms of mass communication that are greatly bound by the use of English as the only language of communication. Do newspapers have a future? This paper seeks to expound on the intricacies brought forth by the emergence of new media in the dissemination of news. In this regard, the paper will focus on an argumentative approach to the discussion of the future prospects or failures of the newspaper which has remained a dominant journalistic tool until the emergence of information communication technology tools such as the internet. The rise and fall of newspaper or else their future prospects are reliant of several factors. In this regard, the paper seeks to first address the issues that primarily injure The proliferation of the new media such as the internet has considerably affected the newspaper media division across the country. This is because the revenue previously channeled to newspapers in type of advertisements is slowly trickling into the internet media source. As a result, this trend negatively impact on the audience numbers thus denying the most sought after revenue that propels the newspapers growth. For example, numerous newspapers across the world are switching to internet driven mechanisms to disseminate information and consequently leading to massive loss of jobs for the media professionals and subsequent closure of newspapers. Moreover, there is the blog terror that propagates citizen journalism. This means that are slowly diverting to blogs and news websites people geared towards getting their understanding of the world from random lunatics riffing in their underwear, rather than professional journalists with standards and passports. Reah (2004) argues that modern newspapers are faced with extinction for their continued lack of objectivity in their editorial content. This means that many newspapers are driven by the sheer determination to rake in millions in profits from advertisements’ as opposed to objective journalism. In a classical example, most newspapers across the world concentrate more on politically motivated editorial thus loosing tastes. Instead of concentrating on writing informative pieces of articles, they largely dwell on politics thus loosing a considerable number of their readership. This, as a result reduces their circulation numbers thus greatly injuring their survival in the journalism field. Continued concentration provides no avenue for newspaper clients to look after thus abandoning the newspaper and venturing into internet information gathering. This is because the internet provides an array of information based on several sectors such as economic, social or physical development. “Sales and circulation figures are also vital to a newspaper’s survival” (Reah 2004 p.9). In this regard, most newspapers will not survive long enough to realize their maximum goals and objectives. Another ingredient that seeks to derail the success of newspapers in the future is the eminent rise in the information technology. Information technology tools such as the internet are increasingly displaying the newspapers as archaic tools of information. For example, it’s easier to read a newspaper from a laptop at the comfort of a person’s living room as compared to walking long distances to purchase a newspaper. In this regard, the newspapers prominence will gradually be on its deathbed and will be subsequently replaced by internet and televisions. The new information communication technologies provide ample space for competition. Unlike in the past, when newspapers were the only news dissemination tools, the emergence of the internet, for instance, has created room for competition with many newspapers shunning their printed medium and embracing new media such as internet. In light of this, newspapers that were previously in print form are adapting to new challenges and turning to websites. For example, many newspapers have online versions that are a replica of the broadsheet. This arguably increases their readership since the internet is a global tool that demystifies geographies and demographics making it easily accessible across the globe. Climate change has over the years been blamed on environmental degradation by the populous. This has led to some countries limiting the use of papers with the banks being on the frontline of acquiring paperless banking. This aims at conserving the environment and making it clean at all times. With the increasing calls from environmentalists to result to better ways of waste disposal, newspapers will slowly and surely lack readership. For example, it is now fashionable to read a newspaper online without endangering the environment. Newspapers are increasingly becoming environmental hazards due to the fact that they are using papers for their production. However, newspapers are the only mass communication tools that propel economic development through the provision of employment opportunities. Newspapers are employment creation tools in their own ways. For example, the production of newspapers provide jobs for vendors, drivers and distributers not forgetting the numerous persons involved in its production including the journalists. In this regard, they help countries reduce the problems associated with unemployment such as insurgence of criminal activities. Moreover, newspapers play a significant role in the information dispatch cycle as they serve as mitigating factors to reach out to the unreached population in the world. Transportation of newspapers through road and air makes it very simple for individuals in information communication technology deficient areas to acclimatize themselves with the goings on in their locality and beyond. For example, operation of information communication technology tools needs critical emphasis and expertise that is available in training thus enhancing a digital divide scenario. In this regard, the future prospects of newspaper production will adequately ensure that the entire populous are informed, a critical ingredient in decision making. In a classical example, an informed public is resourceful when making decisions affecting their development such as choosing of political leaders in elective politics to further augment democracy. Newspapers play a significant role in the harmonization of the various social classes owing to various indicators such as availability, accessibility and affordability. This means that the use of newspapers is much simpler and also is cost friendly (The Economist 2006). More access to more journalism worldwide. One of the under sung advantages of the Internet is that it gives us access to content from newspapers, TV channels, blogs and podcasts from around the world. No longer are we limited to our local media for news of the world. Now we can go directly to that corner of the world to get a local angle from far away. No one has figured out how to sell advertising that would be relevant to all those international readers, but that doesn't mean they won't figure it out eventually (Washington Post n.d). An online paradigm shift from print could improve our environmental impact. Very few people consider just how much our love for print newspapers and magazines harms the environment. It's true that publishers are trying to use more recycled paper, but use of online media has a much less drastic ecological impact. Choosing online over print actually saves trees, which in turn means that media companies that transition wisely could be helping to reduce global warming. Many people expect that some type of reusable, flexible e-ink readers will eventually replace ink-on-dead-tree publications (Kinsley 2006). Challenges of journalism in the 21st Century Journalism, in most countries across the world is viewed as a trade and not a profession. This is because of lack of proper academic structures to propel journalism. For example, only a negligible number of universities offer journalism courses. In light of this, training is among the numerous challenges that journalism faces in the 21st century. Training encompasses the observation and adherence to moral and professional ethics when conducting their duties. Moreover, the rise of citizen journalism, whereby everyone is a publisher has greatly watered down the articulation of professional journalism. This is whereby celebrities find themselves in media houses with no prior journalists’ training (Anderson and Ward 2007). Political structure (Kuhn and Neveu 2002) is another critical challenge to journalism in the 21st century. Most political suppress journalists in their political territories and at time compromise their objective reporting. This is enhanced through the enactment of legislations to curb down on the freedom of the press. As a result, journalists through their ethics to the dogs and result to only positive coverage of news in a certain country. Besides, some political administrations curtail journalism by not only putting strict measures but also threatening journalists’ existence. For example, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is reportedly the worst leader that even kills journalists who expose their ill needs. Diverse media (Future of Journalism n.d) policies that are governed by profit orientation greatly injure the journalism spirit. This is because individuals (media owners) tame employees who are driven by the determination to inform through unnecessary policies. For example, media houses give blackouts to politicians with minimal monetary contribution and campaign for those that give out handouts. In this regard, the spirit of journalism is de-motivated. This is because the owners engage in selective exposure and news coverage dealing a great blow to the public who anxiously wait to be informed. In light of this, the public basing their actions on media information continue to elect incompetent persons in elective posts due to their assertion of media information relayed as gospel truth and thus may hinder the social, economic and political development. Moreover, lack of proper equipments derails journalism. This is prevalent on third world countries that are characterized by poor leadership structures. For example, many media organizations across the world are fast transforming to fit into the 21st century requirements of information communication technology expertise. However, lack of proper equipments makes the countries lag behind in development and growth of journalism. In light of this, poor remuneration ignites a brain drain scenario whereby individuals go to the extent of relocating to other countries as a result of the dangers and poor working conditions in their mother countries (Guardian n.d) Rationale and Conclusion Continues progression in the field of journalism will be highly augmented through the adaptation of new information communication technology tools. This means that the public will be able to access information from all corners of the world about various parts. For example, a United Kingdom national will be able to know the happenings in the United States of America regardless of the geographical divide. In light of this, numerous campaigns should be carried out to mitigate the effects of digital divide. This includes setting up of workshops to educate the masses on the new forms of communication. Moreover, the political will is also an important ingredient in the realization of a prosperous journalism profession. In this regard, political administrations should be willing to enact legislations that foster press freedom instead of jeopardizing it. To properly ensure the development of journalism across the world, policy makers including political class should labor to oversee the establishment of schools for proficiency reasons. In conclusion, the paper has highlighted the various factors that address on the future of newspapers. This means that with the emergence of ICT tools, journalism policy makers should also provide objective remedies. This implies that they should adopt new ways of doing things meaning that they concentrate on objectivity and the apprehension of journalistic ethics List of references Anderson, P, and Ward, G. (2007). The future of journalism in the advanced democracies, UK: Ashgate Future of Journalism. (n.d). The Future of Journalism, retrieved on 25 August 2011 from http://www.thefutureofjournalism.org.au/ Guardian. (n.d). Future of journalism, Retrieved on 25 August 2011 from http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2008/sep/11/digitalmedia.futureofjournalism Harcup, T, and Cole, P. (2010). Newspaper Journalism, London: SAGE Publications Jones, A. (2009). Losing the news: the future of the news that feeds democracy, Oxford: Oxford UP Kinsley, M. (2006). Do Newspapers have a future, Retrieved on 25 August 2011 from http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1538652,00.html Kuhn, R, and Neveu, E. (2002). Political Journalism: new challenges, new practices, London: Routledge Reah, D. (2004). The language of newspapers, (3rd edition), Great Britain: Taylor and Francis The Economist. (2006). The future of newspapers: who killed the newspaper, Retrieved on 25 August 2011 from http://www.economist.com/node/7830218 Washington Post. (n.d). Five myths about the future of journalism, retrieved on 25 August 2011 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-the-future-of-journalism/2011/04/05/AF5UxiuC_story.html Read More