The death of newspapers ...

[kgun]

Searching for additional information about Elgg, I found this recent

The death of newspapers, and why it matters | Ben Werdmuller

provoking article by Ben Werdmuller, Elgg's cofounder.

I also noted

Elgg - Social Networking Software Engine & Social Publishing Platform.

and that if you start with Elgg in Google suggest, there is an increasing numger of related subjects.

Related WPW thread:

http://www.webproworld.com/syndicati...tml#post459687

[dharrison]

Nice post kgun (ra, ra, ra!)

I don't think newspapers will die just because their usage as gone down a bit over the last few years. Have you ever tried to read a newspaper article on the screen before? Even if its written on dark font on a pale background, it kills the eyes after a while. Its not so much reading as scanning.

Unless of course we are all going to turn into a nation of scanners?!? Scanning content but not actually getting all the facts.

[kgun]

Debbie, first of all a happy new year to you.

1. Nice new logo.
2. Very fast answer.
3. It is my not my article.
4. You may know that I read (at present) programming / It (paper) books daily. It is much more user friendly than reading an eBook.
5. But I read at most 2 paper news papers / year. It is no joke.
6. I tried to work outside with my laptop last summer, but it was impossible because of the sun and the ligt from the screen of my laptop.

I don't think (paper) news papers will die soon, but one of the world's largest producer of paper to news paper, Norske Skog - Home are hit exceedingly hard by this financial crisis in addition to structural problems related to digital media.

[deepsand]

No matter the superiorities of the physical newspaper or magazine, the problem remains that, absent economies of scale, outside of those small locals with a strong demand for local news, few will be able to afford a sufficient stable of good reporters.

I fear that, here too, the desire for "cheap" will be the death of quality.

[cw1865]

No matter the superiorities of the physical newspaper or magazine, the problem remains that, absent economies of scale, outside of those small locals with a strong demand for local news, few will be able to afford a sufficient stable of good reporters.

I fear that, here too, the desire for "cheap" will be the death of quality.

That's right, the internet is a game changer. How will professional journalism be funded?

News Corp will charge for newspaper websites, says Rupert Murdoch | Media | guardian.co.uk

[dlsweb]

In many cases money is driving news content. I would suggest it is the integrity of the publisher that should take the hit. I believe they sell out and take the easy way by bending their content to their advertisers wishes.

But doesn't everything flow from the top? A CEO sets the bar, a publisher sets the tone of the paper - and each sets the level of integrity.

I believe this begins with our leaders. Washington politicians have for years been bending their vote to favor friends and contributors until we find where we are now. The citizens must demand better. I hope we are there now.

I truly believe that a better mousetrap works. Newspapers/News Sites that keep, or reestablish, their integrity through what is hopefully the present day citizen demand for integrity, will not only survive but thrive.

[kgun]

An American trend:

1. http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/01/20...ed-model-2011/
2. New York Times Paid Content: A Plan That Could Work - PC World

A Norwegian trend (Use a translation service if you want to look behind the headings):

1. Believes that Dagbladet is finished as a paper Newspaper.
2. Mediaexpert Lasse Gimnes believes that Dagbladet is finished as a paper newspaper.
3. Dagbladet has to choose: Shall it be a tabloid or a serious news paper.

In the news today: The chief edittor retires.

Dagbladet is Norways second biggest paper newspaper that has been relatively successful online.

[deepsand]

In many cases money is driving news content. I would suggest it is the integrity of the publisher that should take the hit. I believe they sell out and take the easy way by bending their content to their advertisers wishes.

News publication is a business, not a charitable operation.

However, to say that advertisers control, or even seriously influence the content, be it print, radio, or TV, is a most specious claim.

Publishers provide what the readers/viewers want; advertisers follow, because that's where the eyes & ears are.

I truly believe that a better mousetrap works. Newspapers/News Sites that keep, or reestablish, their integrity through what is hopefully the present day citizen demand for integrity, will not only survive but thrive.

The average "citizen" demands, not quality or integrity, but quick and easy to digest bites. It is the exceptional citizen who listens to/watches Public Broadcasting productions.

In this respect, the 'net is not a "better" mousetrap, but simply one which more quickly serves up ersatz cheese.

[deepsand]

That's right, the internet is a game changer. How will professional journalism be funded?

News Corp will charge for newspaper websites, says Rupert Murdoch | Media | guardian.co.uk

The Wall Street Journal went to paid on-line access only quite some time ago, and has over 1 million subscribers.

The New York Times has just announced that they intend to limit free access to an as yet undisclosed number of articles per month; hard copy subscribers will continue to have unlimited access.

Locally, the Philadelphia Inquirer is now offering unlimited access to subscribers for a nominal fee; that quoted me was $0.14 per week.

[kgun]

The Wall Street Journal went to paid on-line access only quite some time ago, and has over 1 million subscribers.

I think that is partly true. A time since I read the WSJ, but if I remember correctly a subset of (the) article(s) was free.