Key Takeaways
- The decline of printed newspapers has changed the way people consume information and has had a significant impact on daily life.
- The physical presence of newspapers has been a part of many people’s lives, serving not only as a source of news but also as a tool for various household tasks.
- The shift to digital media has altered the way people interact with news and with each other, potentially changing attention spans and communication habits.
- The decline of printed newspapers has also affected local communities, with many small-town papers shutting down and leaving a void in local news coverage.
- The loss of printed newspapers has also had an impact on the environment, with the reduction in paper waste being offset by the increase in packaging waste from online shopping.
Introduction to the Decline of Printed Newspapers
The sun rising over the Rockies marked the start of a new day for Robin Gammons, who would rush to the front porch to grab the morning paper before school. The Montana Standard was more than just a source of news for Robin and her family; it was a way to feel connected to their community and to preserve memories. When one of the three kids made honor roll, won a basketball game, or achieved something notable, appearing in the Standard’s pages made the achievement feel more real. However, the Montana Standard, like many other newspapers, has slashed its print circulation to three days a week, cutting back on the expense of printing. This move is part of a larger trend, with about 3,500 papers closing over the past two decades, and an average of two papers shutting down every week this year.
The Role of Newspapers in Daily Life
The decline of printed newspapers has meant more than just a change in news habits; it has altered the texture of daily life. Newspapers were not just a source of information, but also a physical object with many other uses. People used to catch up on the world, then save their precious memories, protect their floors and furniture, wrap gifts, line pet cages, and light fires. The physical paper was a part of many people’s daily routines, and its absence has left a void. As Diane DeBlois, one of the founders of the Ephemera Society of America, notes, "You can pass it on. You can keep it. And then, of course, there’s all the fun things." Newspapers wrapped fish, washed windows, and appeared in outhouses, serving as a makeshift toilet paper. The loss of these physical uses has changed the way people interact with their environment and with each other.
The Impact on American Democracy
The downward lurch in the media business has changed American democracy over the last two decades, with some arguing for better and many for worse. The gradual dwindling of the printed paper has quietly altered the texture of daily life, making it harder for people to stay informed and engaged with their communities. As Nick Mathews, an assistant professor at the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism, notes, "I have fond memories of my parents using newspapers to wrap presents. In my family, you always knew that the gift was from my parents because of what it was wrapped in." The loss of printed newspapers has also affected the way people consume news, with many turning to online sources that often prioritize clicks over in-depth reporting. This shift has significant implications for American democracy, as a well-informed citizenry is essential for a functioning democracy.
The Many Uses of Newspapers
Newspapers have been used in a variety of creative ways, from wrapping gifts to lining pet cages. At Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, a well-equipped center for migratory waterfowl, wading birds, reptiles, foxes, bobcats, coyotes, mink, and beaver, old newspapers are used to care for the animals. Executive Director Laura Stastny notes that getting old newspapers has never been a problem, but she frets about the electronic future and the potential cost of replacing newspapers with alternative materials. The center uses newspapers for almost all of the 8,000 animals it cares for every year, and losing this source could cost them over $10,000 annually. This example highlights the importance of printed newspapers in unexpected ways, from animal care to household tasks.
The Shift to Digital Media
The move from print to digital media is a trend that is unlikely to reverse. Few places symbolize this shift more than Akalla, a district of Stockholm where the ST01 data center sits at a site once occupied by the factory that printed Sweden’s main newspaper. The data center uses huge amounts of energy, and the environmental benefit of using less printing paper is offset by the enormous popularity of online shopping. As Cecilia Alcoreza, manager of forest sector transformation for the World Wildlife Fund, notes, "You will see a decline in printed papers, but there is a huge increase in packaging." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s decision to stop providing a print edition and go completely digital is another example of this trend, making Atlanta the largest U.S. metro area without a printed daily newspaper.
The Impact on News Consumption and Community
The habit of following the news can’t be divorced from the existence of print, says Anne Kaun, professor of media and communication studies at Södertörn University in Stockholm. Children who grew up in homes with printed newspapers and magazines randomly came across news and socialized into a news-reading habit, which is not the case with cell phones. As Sarah Wasserman, a cultural critic and assistant dean at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, notes, "I do think it meaningfully changes how we relate to each other, how we relate to things like the news. It is reshaping attention spans and communications." The decline of printed newspapers has significant implications for the way people consume news and interact with their communities, potentially leading to a decline in civic engagement and a less informed citizenry.