In the US, print newspapers have been used for centuries as a way to inform people of current events, breaking and local news. However, due to the rise and popularity of digital media, it’s quickly fading out.
The History of Print
Newspapers were brought to America in 1690 and until the early 1800s, newspapers were expensive to print, and therefore copies were priced higher. That means only those with enough money could purchase and read newspapers. According to the University of Minnesota, “All that changed in September 1833 when Benjamin Day created The Sun. Printed on small, letter-sized pages, The Sun sold for just a penny.”
Since the prices were lowered, the newspaper became available to a larger audience. The newspaper attracted customers by finding stories that would appeal to a majority, like police reports and local profiles, as well as include advertisements.
In the late 1800s, a style called Yellow Journalism was developed. This style relies on heavy exaggeration and sensationalism. Topics often had little research behind them and were incredibly biased. According to the article, “This sensationalist style served as the forerunner for today’s tabloids.”
The Decline
Today, newspapers usually include news about national events as well as local news, editorials, advertisements, and occasionally comics. They still exist and are bought, but the rate has decreased exponentially. Since 2005, the US has lost 25% of its newspapers. A large reason for this is the appearance of television and online articles.
With the shift to online articles, revenue for newspapers decreased drastically. According to The Week, “…revenues plummeted from $49 billion in 2006 to $14 billion in 2018.” Advertisements moved from newspapers to online as it became more popular.
The decline of newspapers in 2023 has been so great that it’s believed the US will lose one-third by the end of 2024. It was originally predicted to happen in 2025. According to Axios, this is largely a big deal since most communities that lose a local newspaper in America usually do not get a replacement, even online. “Roughly half of all U.S. counties (1,562) are now only served with one remaining local news source — typically a weekly newspaper.” Newspapers most likely went from daily newspapers to weekly due to the decrease in local funds.
Digital On The Rise
It’s evident that print newspaper is nearing its end, but digital newspapers are on the rise. Now that technology is as accessible as ever, newspaper companies can easily reach their audience. Websites can also offer newspapers a different format in which they can get news across, and they’re able to use interactive content as well as videos to engage viewers. To make money, subscriptions can be offered at the click of a button, as well as advertisements to increase revenue.