Poor print media that is being crushed by virtual media!
But what if that’s not the case?
Indeed, the pre-“internet” press enjoyed a certain foundation. Buying the newspaper every morning was ingrained in the purest French traditions, just like the daily purchase (funny enough) of a baguette. The only difference was that the taste was something else entirely: The news could be good or bad… to digest!
The internet arrived, and voila, an amazing technology of openness! Of course, web journalism has every chance since the “web” reaches far more readers!
Democracy has developed considerably, and everyone can give their opinion thanks to it, everyone can choose what they read. That’s the internet, a choice that leads to multiple choices. The internet isn’t killing print media because for that to happen, the internet would have to be on “paper” too. It’s a bit like comparing a footballer to a swimmer. It remains a sport, but it’s very different. The football fan audience wouldn’t be responsible for the misfortunes of the swimming fan audience, and vice versa. Sports become greater when people are interested in it. It should be the same for the press. The internet has allowed lesser-known journalists to become known and recognized. The internet is a technology that allows information to be disseminated instantly as soon as it is confirmed. Print media cannot release as many editions as the news it learns in one day!
Print media is most certainly suffering from the fact that its almost traditional monopoly has been undermined by the evolution of communication. However, these new technologies are not to blame as they are part of progress desired by everyone.
It’s a “fast” generation that disrupts the grand habits of the past.
We want everything, and we want it faster! Information, articles: people devour them!
Print media, like everything else, still has bright days ahead if only it didn’t live off its achievements. It should adapt to changes. Today, it seems to discover that progress exists. Didn’t anyone inform it? Which would be quite ironic for a company meant to inform!
No, the internet is not responsible for the troubles of print media. The only responsibility lies in the fact that no one had the idea to adapt print media to today’s world. One might change formats, colors, even journalists, but if print media doesn’t adapt, it will go from one setback to another. This isn’t the fault of the internet but simply the cause of a world in perpetual evolution.
The question isn’t about whether the internet is to blame, but rather: How do we adapt print media to this world’s evolution?
There’s already one answer to eliminate: by killing print media and replacing it with virtual media. This isn’t a good answer because print and virtual media are complementary and not competitors, much like the example given about athletes. Journalism should come out winning, not losing.
The thinkers should adapt print media to today’s needs and stop shouting “Wolf!” every time a new technology emerges. It can only be beneficial for all sectors of journalism.
Article proposed by Ferdinand Calendal
