If you wanted to catch typos, the first edition was your best bet. I recall one full-page ad for Honest Ed’s on page 3 of the “A” Section. The headline was supposed to read, in huge franklin gothic type, “Honest Ed’s Shirt Sale” but for some reason, a stressed-out, hot-metal typesetter somehow left the “r” out of shirt. Yipes!
Today, with newspaper circulations dropping, ad revenues shrinking, unprecedented layoffs, downsizing and closings, everyone is jumping on the “newspapers are dying” bandwagon. Let me tell you why I think newspapers will survive – and this is not just wishful thinking.
First, they have already begun to change and adapt. Many papers have been transformed into a free website that will also publish a print edition each day or on specific days. Second, they are offering better value-added features for advertisers, such as free or reduced-cost colour or positioning. Most are now offering both their website and printed editions combined to give advertisers more bang for their buck. Third, unions seem to be compromising. In order to survive, many unionized employees are now willing to take pay cuts, or make changes to lifetime job guarantees. Fourth, newspapers are examining every possible way to save money on production, from equipment and procedures in the pressroom to such obvious solutions such as simply cutting a little off their final trim size. Fifth, many departments at newspapers that are not specifically involved in writing, designing or publishing are being outsourced.
Unfortunately, most young people today, particularly those who have grown up with a computer screen in their face almost from their toddler days, don’t care about newspapers. They get their news from podcasts, television and the radio. Those who do read have gone online to websites and gossipy blogs.
But therein lies the ultimate irony of this whole situation – and brings me to my final reason why newspapers will survive. Television, radio and bloggers on the Internet get most of their raw information and hard news from newspapers. They NEED newspapers in some form or another – or at least the information they provide. They have neither the time nor the inclination to do the real legwork – to go out with a notepad and/or tape recorder, interview sources and dig through mountains of material to get the real facts. Furthermore, the reporters and columnists of a newspaper are a must for a better-informed society. They add that compelling human element and that relentless investigative work ethic that you will not find in much of today’s “fast-food” online or broadcast media that is constantly constrained by time.
Bottom line: newspapers have historically exposed the best and the worst of our society in government, business and individuals. The “new” media simply cannot match the depth, tenacity and commitment of newspapers. Today, news tends to be short and to the point – and quite often, about as inspiring as watching paint dry.
Another thing I love about newspapers that cannot be replaced by electronic media are the “beat reporters.” Over time, they gain more insight into what their beat is all about. Result? Better, more comprehensive and more interesting stories.
Okay, some newspapers may not survive in their current form, but they will not disappear completely anytime soon. Long live newspapers – and praise to the unheralded, hard-working staffers who have made them not just their job, but also their passion day after day.
Understand that a newspaper is not just a blog on a computer screen or a momentary comment from a broadcaster as you’re fiddling with your remote. It is the sum total of the personalities of everyone who has committed their sweat, tears and many times their actual blood to bringing you the truth in all its joy, mediocrity or horror.
I saw this rare form of loyalty and commitment every week for 20 years at the Toronto Star. As employees, we used to say that we all bled “Star Blue” (our corporate colour). I know many of its employees still do. Good for them – and for the hundreds of thousands of other newspaper staffers across Canada and the U.S.