Newspapers facing decline as web media interest increases

"I don't believe it!"

According to the Pew Research Center’s Project For Excellence in Journalism the likelihood of newspapers as we know them surviving is slim. They say local news is going mobile. Nearly half of all American adults (47%) report that they get at least some local news and information on their cellphone or tablet computer. They look at news websites like I do. But I also like reading newspapers. It would be a crying shame if they all went. The Birmingham Post gave up and is now a weekly digest of local news. Not the same at all.

It's all got to be immediate. Phones are with people all the time. Listening into conversations is commonplace. Watching thumbs move over cell phones with such dexterity is a marvel. However, I can't imagine how it is to read an online newspaper in such a way. I doubt if much real news is retained. Reading pithy commentaries is hard going on a hand-held device. I detect we are becoming a people of instant news gratification but little or no sound thought reception. Where are the deep thinkers? Jamie Oliver is trying to re-educate 20 dropouts. According to Oliver 50% of British school children get virtually no GCCEs. Would dumbing down have something to do with it?

The survey shows that quite a few wouldn't be bothered if the local newspaper faded into history. Sad, really.