Blogging from A to Z — the letter N
“N” is for newspaper.
Newspapers used to be so important. The major source of local and national news, chock full of information and advertisements. Also useful as wrapping paper, book covers, bird cage liners, wee wee pads for the new puppy…
I remember being about 7 or 8 years old, and my mother would sometimes send me across the street to the candy store to buy the Sunday New York Times. Later, after we moved to another neighborhood, the paper boy would deliver Newsday every afternoon, and I’d argue with my mother about who got to read the paper first.
The first paper I subscribed to? The Times, of course. I was away at college and it was the only New York City paper I could get. I’d get my paper every Sunday, spread the sections all over my dorm room, and read …
We live in a different world now. Newspapers have shrunk, both in size and importance, We get our news from the internet or from 24/7 cable news networks. By the time something hits the print edition of a newspaper it’s already old and outdated.
I don’t even bother with the print edition anymore. I still like to read the news, but now I do it on line. I can read my local paper anywhere in the world. It’s better this way …
… though you can’t line the litter box with an iPad.
Very nice to read this post, since I work in a media organisation. You are absolutely right. The role and significance of newspapers have dramatically altered in this age of internet. In fact, every media organisation has now metamorphosed into multimedia institutions. Like the NYT is now not just a newspaper. It has a strong presence in the social media field, and millions follow it. Like it has podcasts, videos etc.
ReplyDeleteLot of people ask me, will the newspapers die away. My answer is, no. It'll shrink in numbers. It will be around since the printed paper has its own relevance.
My sister inlaw worked for a major paper in a New York City suburb (not Newsday) for years and I got some interesting insights from her and her years as a copy editor. She spent years worrying about layoffs and finally hers came. She was laid off right before her 50th birthday. In all honesty, I think lining a birdcage is about all our print edition of our local paper is good for, but we keep the subscription because we want to support journalism. My husband reads the print edition. I read online. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThere were four major newspapers and a bunch of minor ones in Chicago when I was growing up. Now they're down to two and those are both hanging on by a thread. Just as well...
ReplyDeleteMy parents got the daily paper and our weekly village paper.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe.
I never have time to read the paper, although I would probably get it delivered online nowadays. It's so convenient being able to read it digitally.
ReplyDeleteI still remember when we had to use the weather report in the newspaper for class projects in primary school...
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for N:
My Languishing TBR: N
Nymphs of All Kinds