Newspaper Chains

I agree with the findings in www.digitaldeliverance.com entitled: Hey, You Guys Who Run U.S. Newspaper Chains! It tackled about the simultaneous declining of newspaper circulation and US newspaper readership.

In the chart presented, there was a steady decline in newspaper readership since 1970. It may be true that it was caused by the shifting of medium used by a number of people. From newspaper they switched to the then popular - television, for the news. Perhaps it was more accessible than the daily paper. The habit is still carried over up to now because most American relies on television for the daily news.

It was assumed that when readership has increased slightly or has temporarily became stable in rate, that was the time when there was economic depression. But this is not necessarily true since the readership declined even when the economy is progressing. Maybe this is in connection with the principle of supply and demand. Circulation of newspapers where controlled because there was less demand for it.

The coming of other medium like the Internet, mobile forecast and other innovative devices has divided the readers. Though this medium may not be the sole cause but still it somehow contributed to the big decline in the readership of newspapers in the US. It could never happen if there were no other choices offered to the people.

This fact has existed for 20 years now. That alone is disturbing. Is this a sign that in the year future newspaper will be phased out? Well, only time can tell. But if this happens, I think the existence of newspaper as a catalyst in nation building can still be recalled in history.

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