Blog tasks: The decline in print media

 Part 1: Ofcom report into news consumption

Read this Ofcom report on the consumption of news in the UK and answer the following questions (bullet points/short answers are fine):

1) Look at the headlines from the report on page 6. Pick three that you think are interesting and bullet point them here. Why did you pick those three in particular?  

Different age groups consume news very differently; younger age groups are much more likely to use the

internet and social media for news, whereas their older counterparts favour print, radio and TV.

Reach of print/online newspapers has seen a decrease from 2020 (47%) to 2022 (38%). The decrease is driven by decreases in print (online newspaper reach remains steady) which have likely been exacerbated by the pandemic.

Five of the top six TV channels (including BBC One which remains the top news source across platforms) saw

decreased reach from 2021 among online adults.

 

I have picked these three because this explanation highlights key trends in news consumption across different age groups and platforms. 

2) Look at the overall summary for adults on pages 7-8. What are the key points on newspapers? 

The differences between platforms used across age groups are striking; younger age groups continue to be more likely to use the internet and social media for news, whereas their older counterparts favour print, radio and TV.

Reach of TV (74%), and internet (66%) platforms remains steady. There is some evidence of longer term erosion of radio reach

(40% in 2022 down from 44% in 2018).

3) Look at the statistics on page 13. What do you notice about newspapers and how has it changed in recent years?

the use of newspapers for news has significantly declined in recent years. For example In 2018, 40% of adults used newspapers as a source of news, but this dropped to 35% in 2019, then further to 38% in 2020, and drastically down to 24% in 2022. This suggests a clear downward trend, with a particularly sharp decline post-pandemic.

4) Now look at the age demographics for news consumption on page 16. What age demographic groups are most and least likely to read newspapers and what are the percentages? 

Most:75+ with 59%

Least:16-24 with 30%

5) Look at the newspaper-specific data on page 36. Which are the most popular newspaper titles? 

Daily mail

6) Now look at the total newspaper reach of print and online on page 39. How has this decreased over the last three years?

This is mainly because due to a sharp drop in print newspaper readership, which fell from 38% in 2019 to 24% in 2022.

Part 2: Factsheet - The death of print media

Go to our Media Factsheet archive and open Factsheet 165: The death of print media. Our Media Factsheet archive is on the Media Shared drive: M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets or you can find it online here - you'll need to log in using your Greenford Google login.

Read the Factsheet and complete the following questions/tasks (bullet points/short answers are fine):

1) What has happened to print media in the last 30 years?

 in February 2016 the Independent would cease printing at the end of the following month. The successful

i paper was sold to Johnston Press, and the news organisation would take an online focus. The Editor of the Independent, Amol Rajan, took the role of editor-at-large to pursue a new digital focus for the business. Lebedev claimed that the ceasing of a printed version was a bold transition to a digital-only future. 

2) Why is the Independent newspaper such a good case study for the decline in print media?

 Because  the Independent newspaper started  as a traditional paper but faced challenges as more readers moved online then In 2016, due to declining print sales and advertising revenue, The Independent stopped its print edition and became a digital-only news source. 

3) What was the Independent newspaper famous for?

The Independent newspaper was famous for its strong editorial independence, in-depth journalism, and commitment to high-quality, analytical reporting etc.

4) What did the then-owner of the Independent, Evgeny Lebedev, say about the newspaper's digital-only future?

 “The newspaper industry is changing, and that change is being driven by readers. They’re showing us that the future is

digital. This decision preserves the Independent brand and allows us to continue to invest in the high quality editorial content that is attracting more and more readers to our online platforms.” Evegeny Lebedev, 201

5) How do online newspapers make money?

By displaying ads on their websites, including banner ads, sponsored content, and video ads, with revenue based on views or clicks.

6) What did the Independent's longest-serving editor Simon Kelner warn regarding the switch to digital?

The Independent are hoping to rival the biggest of the online news sites, BuzzFeed and the Huffington Post, by building on their existing reputation whilst introducing lighter, shorter, and more ‘offbeat’ shareable content such as “Horse named after Donald Trump castrated for being workshy.” 

7) What is the concern with fake news? What does 'post-truth' refer to?

The concern over the impact of the Internet news reporting is not new, but 2016’s US presidential election brought the issue into sharp focus. “Post-truth” refers to a situations where objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal beliefs.

8) What is your view on the decline in print media? Should news be free? Is it a concern that established media brands such as the Independent can no longer afford to exist as a printed newspaper?

 

I think the decline of print media is exemplified by newspapers like The Independent ceasing their print editions which reflects the significant shift towards digital news consumption because this transition is driven by factors such as the convenience of online access and the immediacy of digital updates.Therefore regarding whether news should be free or not, it’s a complex issue. While free access ensures that everyone can stay informed, producing quality journalism involves costs like paying reporters and maintaining news operations. However some argue that treating journalism as a public good, similar to roads and schools, could justify public funding to support it.