Economist article - future of newspapers

http://www.economist.com/node/7830218

The article begins by outline the concern of the newspaper industry's decline. It states that due to the evolution of media and the internet print forms of news are losing much of their advertising and newspapers are ow losing money. The author says that eventually even major institutions may become bankrupt and the print form altogether will get scrapped, quoting a book that estimates 2043 as the year news print dies. As a result newspapers have continuously cut jobs year on year and argues that journalism has suffered as a result.

However he argues that the newspaper decline is not as bad as people may think. He states that major institutions such as the New York Times and Washington Post could afford to increase their prices to make up for lost revenue to the internet due to their large global audience. He also talks about how the new found ability for anyone to express themselves through blogs as an advantage for people and a positive. He also states that in the future non profit organisations may back quality journalists and newspapers to ensure their work is published and does not go bust.

I agree that the decline of print news si a cause for concern and not a reason for panic, because in my opinion, is it really necessary to keep newspapers? Of course it is sad to see such a previously well established and loved form of media be lost but is it not inevitable? I personally don't see how the end of newspapers is a reason for panic, perhaps because I was born in a generation when new media flourished, but a majority of people already don't read newspapers and use new media; tablets, computers, phones, apps, etc; for their news, therefore once the older generations have died, will there even be a market for newspapers any more? I doubt and and I honestly don't think it's going to have much of an effect on society and people stating the decline of newspapers is cause for panic are arguing because of the newspaper forms sentimental value as opposed to its actual effects on society.