Print Journalism: Soon To Be A Thing Of The Past

As journalists are losing their jobs in record numbers because staffing jobs are becoming less and less, magazines and newspapers are making moves towards a digital future, and The New York Times, one of New York City’s oldest and most historic papers will soon follow suit.  In a New York Times report published in March of this year and obtained by Buzzfeed, it gives the picture of a gloomy and depressed newspaper struggling to keep up with the digital success of its competition.

Although the paper admits to being far ahead of the competition a far as of journalism and content is concerned, they are failing terribly in areas where their website has had a slowly decreasing audience as well as a slow decrease in the number of smartphone app downloads. 

The report says “But with an endless upheaval in technology, reader habits and the entire business model, The Times needs to pursue smart new strategies for our growing audience. The urgency is only growing because digital media is becoming more crowded, better funded and far more innovative” 

Henry Blodget of Business Insider feels that the economics of the online news business will not support the infrastructure or newsroom that the printed paper supports. He feels if the NYT can not come up with a new digital revenue stream, it will eventually have to be restructured and downsized. 

But there is still one main question that remains to be unanswered, what the hell will happen to the thousands of writers, journalists, reporters and editors that contribute to the print edition once its no longer being printed? NYT top executive editor, Jill Abramson has already been fired from the paper. Though it is stated that it is not because of the papers digital fail, it is believed to be. Will this be the fate for most of the journalists at NYT?

Times have becoming increasingly hard for journalists as everything is making a digital switch and technology makes it possible for everyone to stay ahead. It seems journalist will just have to double our work to stay ahead of those already staying ahead.

It may be hard, challenging and a little disappointing but important information must be told and the field of journalism isn’t going anywhere. It’s simply just going digital.