Should Newspapers go ahead and die?

By: Natasha Chewe Mulenga.

Print media has been everywhere for numerous decades. Newspapers, magazines and brochures have all played a major role in society and the past. With this position in history it can be hard to believe that there would be any type of negative effects from the print media. However, there are certain journalism scholars who believe that there are certain elements of print media that can lead to potentially negative effects on society. Here is a look at some of the negative effects printed media can have.

One would highly support this notion as they have many effects on society as a whole. Environmentally and socially, Newspaper headlines for example, may cause panic and mayhem within a society. For example, In a situation like this where Hitler died, leaves the community distort and government vulnerable. In the situation of Libya, there was more captured in the newspapers than any other media outlet. The headline reads “Gaddafi sticks to his guns.” This may affect family members of those stuck in Libya, by placing so much doubt and sensationalisation in their stories. 

One would further agree that newspapers should go ahead and die because they are also taking away individualist ways of thinking. In the images below for example, while one reads, they would seem to relate even when they haven’t personally experienced sexism. Newspapers re-shape peoples opinions and are somewhat controlling as they are the easiest easy to know what is going on. A man on a train, street vendors and many in lower working classes can read and simply agree with the information placed before them.

In Zimbabwe, where many are oppressed and fearful of their government, it makes them believe what is in the newspapers to avoid any trouble.

Another negative effect of this form of print media is Perception of Crime. Many people get their perception of the crime in the area or a specific city from the newspaper. Depending on the amount of stories involving crime and violence people will begin to develop an opinion that crime is evolving in certain areas and not in others. This leads people to either feel incredibly safe or extremely nervous about their surroundings. For example, IOL is an online newspaper that has a focused section on crime and had a hardcopy circulated may create these impressions and opinions. Headline of the image below was Suspects held after Dobsonville heist. This may insert come sense of safety within members of that community.

Society views on Politics or World Events may be triggered by print media. Print media has had a major impact on how people view politics and world events. Many people will blindly follow what is printed in the newspaper about specific areas and events. Even if it is one small story people tend to believe that that is how the whole area should be observed. This can lead to bias opinions or slanted opinions on other parts of society.

Newspapers left by students after reading. Monash University south Africa

As shown in the above picture, hardcopy newspapers have a negative aspect on the environment. Not only do thousands of trees get chopped for the manufacture of newspapers but the emission of carbon monoxide in creating these is publications is strongly adding to global warming.

One would finally say newspapers can go ahead and die simply because they are not only disposable for those who are interested in one particular part of the newspaper for example puzzles or just entertainment. Also one would say newspapers have become less sensitive and maybe inappropriate to some its readers for example front page headlines such as these.

Online newspapers are a more affordable and easier way for members of society to educate themselves without the hassle of carrying out a newspaper they will not use after reading. Some scholars have stated that Newspapers have already dropped drastically in readership. Furthermore stating with technology advancing at an alarming rate it is safe to say there is nothing saving the extinction of hardcopy newspapers. In Germany, you can get a customized newspaper, you are able to pick which kinds of information and from which newspaper the information will come from. One would further say it’s a little too late because new media has innovated such features since they were created and people are getting to just this. If one seeks information, it is a lot easier to look it up online and it is free.