Newspapers

WRITING TASK 2:Re-Working of Day One Essay

To what extent have newspapers become an outdated source of information?
Consider this question in relation to other forms of media used today to communicate information in a globalized world.
To what extent have newspapers become an outdated source of information?
Consider this question in relation to other forms of media used today to communicate information in a globalized world.

At present, most people obtain information from internet instead of newspapers. Many newspapers have been shut down because their circulation has decreased so dramatically. A survey in the United Kingdom indicated that the total number of dissemination of copies of daily and Sunday papers changed acutely, which was reduced from 38.4 in 1965 to 32.6 million in 1985, and plummeted to 22.7minllion in 2007. Therefore 41 percent of readers have exited from the paid newspaper market (15.7 millions) with an accelerating rate of decline(Franklin, 2008). Especially people who were born in the globalized era, they already use to the internet which is faster and offers more variety. In their view, newspapers are limited on effectiveness of time, wealth of information and interactivity. This essay aims to discuss this factor and is divided in these three sections. Newspapers have limitations, concerning coverage of updated news, due to factors, such as printing and delivery. For instance, people find they can not read newspapers whenever and wherever they want because newspapers are delivered at a set time and set place. However, people can obtain information from the internet at anytime and anywhere, in an office, in a shop and in a pub. Conboy and Steal (2008) claimed that the “information revolution” has exploited news production and delivery, it is one of the important elements that “news” product and delivery capitalize in this information society. At present, trade goods as Computer, PDA or mobile phone transmits the latest news personally and timely. It is quite different from newspaper which is lacking interest day-old content media (Conboy, M and Steal, J. 2008). Therefore, information offered by newspapers is not as convenient as the information offered by internet. Newspapers are generally divided by region, by function and by time, which limits their content regarding a source of information less wealthy than third generation media. In order to make a profit, newspaper need to advertise. Advertising is the elementary purpose for making a profit for newspapers which is more commercially viable viewed from the proprietor. Study shows, in the United States, about two-thirds of the text of average newspaper are full of advertisements, and 75-85 percent of financial gains are earned by advertising. The same conclusions are found in many European countries. Advertising supplies most resources of operating a successful newspaper at present. Choice of engagement, work processes, and costs are impacted by advertising for newspapers (Picard, 2008). Thus, this form of advertising limits the amount of information a newspaper can offer its readers, whereas, internet offers the general public the possibility to browse selectively to avoid advertising. Therefore, the wealth of newspaper content can not be compared with the internet. Interactive service is a shortfall of newspaper compared to the internet. Pavlik (2000) has drawn attention to the fact that the publishers specified the fundamental relation with the publics by a “broadcast” model since the printing press was invented in Mainz, Germany 500 years ago. This one (or few) to many communication flow leads to little feedback between the information sources and receiver (or journalist and audience) and a relatively anonymous, diversified audience is the major characteristic of the “broadcast” model. Combining persuasion and information is the purpose of this communication. For instance, most of the news coverage is purposed to inform the public about various events and issues important to their communities and society generally. Consequently, newspaper is a one-way media, which can not collect feedback from readers instantaneously. People who focus on current events can not share their opinions with publishers and other readers, while the internet meets this requirement. Every age generation can express his (or her) view positively and critically whenever and wherever he (or she) wants to. Nevertheless, these printed media features make newspapers have to respond the reader’s opinions in a later time, which defines the newspapers can not be more efficient than the internet.

To sum up, comparing these two forms of media where people can obtain information, the internet communicates more effectively, has more wealth of information, and interactivity, therefore, newspapers become an outdated source of information obviously. In the future, newspapers should have a full understanding of own deficiencies, which have been mentioned in this essay, then shape guidelines on the basis of own characteristics, try to prevent to be eliminated. Word count: 711

Reference:
Conboy, M and Steal, J. 2008. The Future of Newspapers, Journalism Studies ［Online］9(5) 650-661. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14616700802207540［Accessed: 2nd Sep 2008］

Franklin, B. 2008. The future of Newspapers, Journalism Studies ［Online］9( 5) 786-797. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14616700802207797［Accessed: 2nd Sep 2008］

Pavlik, J. (2000). The Impact of Techenology on Journalism, Journalism Studie ［Online］1(2) 229-237. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14616700050028226［Accessed: 12th Dec 2010］

Picard, R. G. 2008. Shifts In Newspaper Advertising Expenditure, Journalism Studies ［Online］9(5) 704-716. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14616700802207649［Accessed: 2nd Sep 2008］