Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Why Are Newspapers Failing?

The continuing failure of newspapers nationwide raises many questions, and a very random survey at the Kingsport Times News shows some clear indications at what the public sees as problems and solutions:

Times News Poll • All Polls
The Pew research Center says one-third of survey respondents say they'd miss reading their local newspaper if it stopped publishing. What do you think?
40% - I see no value in the local news report.
31% - Something would replace it.
29% - It would seriously damage civic life.

Total Votes: 803


For more tales of the demise the newspaper business see:

- Do Newspapers Matter?

- Why Newspapers Can't Be Saved But The News Can

- Seattle Post Shuts Print Down, Goes Web-Only

- The Secret Success of Ethnic Newspapers

UPDATE: One commenter below, offers a valuable viewpoint about print and digital formats.
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4 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:47 PM

    People should be careful what they wish for.

    Combined with online, our audience has actually grown.

    As I said at my place, I'm a glass-half-full guy:
    http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/silence/archives/2009/03/im_growing_wear.shtml

    ReplyDelete
  2. Joe Powell4:54 PM

    i think that's also because the KNS has been working diligently at developing into more than print as other ET papers fumble along with online content.

    i sense that folks are seeking more news and info than ever thanks to new forms of delivery and content.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous2:46 PM

    There are larger issues behind the death of news papers.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Joe Powell3:18 PM

    John - your recent post raises a most important issue, so I'm adding it to the links mentioned in this post.

    ReplyDelete