Since I became a university student in 2007, I have found that all my professors and classmates seem to think of one thing. That being where/how to find a job. Yes, I completely agree that is one of the main reasons why we go to university, school or whatever is to eventually find a better job. But right now, being only in my early 20’s, I’m starting to get sick of this constant conversation. Not only does it stress me out that I may be jobless when I graduate, but the conversation (which seems to have been going on for the last four years) is getting a little stale.
Anyways, my real problem is that it seems that everyone I talk to (well not everyone but a high majority), is telling me how there are no jobs in newspapers. Seeing how this is my future career, I do get a little concerned. (Maybe this is ironic for me to write about in a newspaper but I am going to give it a go away.)
In my eyes, newspapers are not dying. Yes, some popular newspaper chains have failed in the United States, but I think local news will still be going strong for years to come. Let’s look at the Charter for instance. I like the Charter, (I’m not saying this because I work for them, seriously, I really do like this paper.) This newspaper appeals to me because it is local. It’s from my hometown. I will always be able to read about the high school soccer game, the regatta the new play, the local interest stories about charismatic or eccentric community figures, the school concert etc. This is something that the Globe and Mail or whatever large newspaper chain can’t give me. Local newspapers are not hard news. That’s what’s so great about them. They let people into their small corner of the world, to what life in a close-knit community is all about.
I’ve been in class discussions before where people would argue that gadgets like Apple’s new IPad will take over the way we consume news. I beg to differ. I feel that everyone is starting to forget about the local communities, the towns, and family. This is something the IPad cannot give us.
The IPad is a new device where you purchase books and large newspaper applications to read on a small portable, computer screen. I think people who were in involved in these discussions or are having this discussion now are forgetting one thing- not everyone is in a city. Not everyone can afford this $600 gizmo and not everyone really cares about news in the US or whatever large newspaper-chain you can purchase on the IPad.
The way we consume news these days has changed. I will give you that. Children, to adults use the Internet daily to check email, read gossip or whatever, but that doesn’t mean that people will give up on reading newspapers entirely. I actually like the feel and even the smell of a real newspaper.
I think it’s silly to say newspapers are dying. If that were true, coffee would be on its way out too. I mean, how else could you really enjoy a morning coffee if you didn’t have a newspaper in your hand?
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