Guardian UK: Newspapers aren't dying, democracy is

[marmar]

Newspapers aren't dying, democracy is
If journalists don't expand the community of people who are interested in civic life, then they face a hopeless battle


Dan Kennedy
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 17 March 2009 21.00 GMT


A new survey about public attitudes toward newspapers gets it precisely backwards. Supposedly most people don't think civic life would suffer all that much if their local newspaper shut down. But it's not that they don't care about their newspaper – they don't care about civic life.

The report, released last Thursday by the Pew Research Centre for the People and the Press, found that merely 43% of Americans believe civic life would be hurt "a lot" if their local paper ceased publication, either in print or online. Only among those 65 and older did a bare majority (51%) agree with the proposition that their local newspaper is essential.

But before you respond that newspaper publishers deserve their fate – that their thin, typo-riddled, semi-literate products are dying because they have ceased serving their readers – you should stop and think about what these findings really mean.

Next time you vote in an election in which Barack Obama's name is not on the ballot (that is, if you do), take a look around. You may see a few young parents guiding curious toddlers into the voting booth with them. For the most part, though, you'll see the middle-aged and, especially, the elderly, doing their civic duty, as they have for decades.

Or try taking in a city council or planning board meeting. In all likelihood, the only young person you'll see is the twenty-something reporter from the local daily or weekly, trying to make sense of commercial tax rates, overlay zones and other municipal arcana. Everyone else will be 50 or older. You'll see a few younger faces at a school board meeting, but that's the exception. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/mar/17/newspapers-democracy-decline

[Deja Q]

1. More a commentary than genuine news, but okey dokey.

[marmar]

2. Your point being?......Is there a big "news" headline on the post?

n/t

[NightWatcher]

3. time for the newspapers to adapt or die. I prefer my news online

less trees have to die. I still read the website from my local paper. I also read the Guardian, but I dont have to wait for a paper to make it's way across the pond for me to get the news.

Civics isnt dead, In fact I think that more people are informed than they were ten years ago. We just cant wait for a paper to make it to us.

Guess what, the Pony Express died off too, but we still communicate.

[targetpractice]

5. Thanks to No Child Left Behind...

At least half of the states no longer make the teaching of civics and government a requirement for high school graduation."

— Sandra Day O'Connor

That fact is terrifying to me.

[nolabels]

6. The Newspaper culture and uber-rich that control are probably feeling frustrated

They no longer have the clout and control of opinion they once had. Their spin offs of Radio and Television have also been diluted.

[tularetom]

4. Participation in civic affairs has suffered as jobs consume more of everyone's time

With people having to work two or three jobs just to keep their heads above water it is understandable that their participation in local government and civic matters will dwindle. I spent 30+ years working for local agencies and the absence of young faces on boards and commissions has always been a concern. Young families need time to earn money and spend some time together. Older families, those with kids out of the home, have always been able to afford to participate in matters of civic concern.

What is different now is that even the formerly active age groups are now struggling to get by and have curtailed their level of participation accordingly. Not a good omen because it will ensure that decisions of local interest will be made more and more by those with an economic interest in those decisions.

I think people are aware of the importance of zoning decisions, public safety staffing levels, street and utility improvement projects and other municipal matters in their lives. They just don't have time to deal with them like they used to.