An editorial in today's issue of Boston University's Daily Free Press mulls the future of print publications in reaction to the Globe's decision to close its international bureaus. The article makes a case for keeping newspapers alive, citing their tangibility, reactionary format, and locality as being unique to print.
Though it's a shame the Globe had to eliminate its foreign offices, there is a silver lining. The paper can now devote more resources and time to area coverage. Most of its readers want to learn more about their region...It will lose some prominence as a national paper, but hard-hitting local coverage will increase the Globe's readership in New England.
Addressing Internet publications, the editorial envisions a symbiotic relationship between print and online news where competition is not an issue.
Future business models should look something like that of The New York Times, where readers can get major stories for free on its website and pay to view additional and unique material.
Unfortunately, it sounds like that business model is going to be changing in a couple of years, but I agree with the sentiment that the Internet and print need to work together. The two are not necessarily mutually exclusive; each has their own pros and cons, and as journalists we need to determine the kind of content that better suits each format. We are currently in a period of transition, and there will certainly be some casualties along the way, but in the end I think it we'll see papers and the net in loving embrace.
Xana @ Fri, 02/09/2007 - 1:06pm
The trend is certainly a disturbing one. The Philly Inquirer is also closing many of its bureaus to cut costs in a move the Inky says will allow them to focus more on local coverage. It's a shame that these award-winning publications have to sacrifice so much because they're hemorrhaging money. A happy medium between print and the net is certainly necessary here.