These are hard times for the newspaper industry. Across the United States, hundreds of newspapers are threatened by unstoppable forces that have won over Americans. These forces tug at our needs for simplicity. Marking an age of convenience and efficaciousness, for example, the internet provides Americans with the latest and most contemporary means of accessing the world at large. So, in turn, journalists who are pounding on the keys anticipating their hot stories to hit the stands and receive a wide reception actually have to go hit the road. The numbers of jobs for these journalists are in a state of decadence. In fact, the written word made incarnate in tabloids, extended tabloids and broadsheet papers is no longer hyped, but actually a burden to readers, and nonetheless, a sad time in history for journalists everywhere. The decline of newspapers is evident in the various aspects of journalism. Just last year, The Philadelphia Inquirer had to lay off nearly 70 members of its staff, due to a lack of funding from subscriptions; in other words, there is a lack of readership. People turn to Google news and their home pages for the simple view of headlines. Having the tangible print of the paper is not feasible to some. Additionally, a larger problem concerning the newspaper industry is the eliciting of ads from businesses. Ads are generally costly, but the cost compensates for the fact that that ad is viewed a few thousand times. When a person places an advertisement in The Quad, that ad is printed and potentially seen 4000 times. The publicity is worth every penny. However, what cuts a newspaper’s vitals and integrity from ever truly thriving independently is censorship. Censorship is a broad term, but is not limited to a person in authority to denying the print of an article. In fact, one of our fellow universities of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Kutztown University, had its newspaper censored. The paper, The Keystone, is contending a legal matter based upon censorship. As a result of certain content of an issue that was printed last year and did not sit well with the administration, the staff has been denied of their semester stipends from the University. Nevertheless, a journalist’s paycheck already does not make ends meet, so completely eliminating monetary compensation is severely reducing the morale and autonomy of the paper. In fact, this is not an unlikely tale in newspaper industry. Most journalistic organizations are actually owned by other companies-unrelated to journalism. So, coverage, in essence, is dictated by corporate ideals and intentions. On another note, Colorado State University’s newspaper The Rocky Mountain Collegian is currently vying to maintain their autonomy from merging with another local newspaper, The Coloradoan, according to The New York Times. For the record, The New York Times is owned by The New York Times.
Newspapers have the capacity to record history by graphics, language and, lastly, responses. Cutting and discarding their production is saying goodbye to an age where concepts can become alive. The Quad is free of cost, but as journalists, we endorse the production and distribution of newspapers and broadcast outlets throughout the campus and the region. Reading blogs and online alerts are effective; however, there is nothing comparable to holding a point in time in your hands. With that said, take advantage of the collegiate readership program here that can provide you with the region’s newspapers; it can allow you to take a piece of that history with you. Our culture thrives on storytelling; in fact, everyone has a story. Don’t annihilate the power of preserving history; perpetuate it.