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) Three interesting headlines from pages 5–6 and why
One headline is that online news is now the most popular way people access news in the UK. This is interesting because it shows how digital media is replacing traditional media like newspapers.
Another headline is that younger audiences are much more likely to get their news from social media platforms. This is interesting because it shows how different generations consume news in very different ways.
A third headline is that traditional news organisations are still considered more trustworthy than many online sources. This is interesting because it shows that people still value professional journalism even though they use the internet more often.
2) Main motivations for following the news (pages 7–8)
Many people follow the news to understand what is happening in the UK, which is about 47%. Around 45% follow the news to understand what is happening in the world. Around 40% follow the news to know what is happening in their local area. Around 27% say they follow the news so they have something to talk about with others. Around 18–21% of people, particularly younger audiences, follow the news for entertainment or to pass time.
3) Platforms used for news by different ages (page 9)
Younger people are much more likely to use online platforms and social media to access news. People aged 16–24 rely heavily on websites, apps and social media platforms. Older audiences prefer traditional platforms such as television and radio. People aged 55 and over are much more likely to watch television news than use social media. This shows a clear generational difference in how news is consumed.
4) How the internet enables different ways to access news (page 14)
The internet allows audiences to access news through websites, mobile apps, search engines and social media platforms. People can also discover news through shared posts or news feeds. For example, many people access news online through organisations such as BBC News, which reaches around 59% of online news users. Other popular sources include Sky News at around 21%, The Guardian at around 20%, and Daily Mail at around 14%. This shows that the internet allows audiences to access news quickly and from multiple sources.
5) Percentages of readership of print vs online (page 20)
Around 70% of adults in the UK now access news online. Television news reaches around 68% of audiences. Print newspapers reach a much smaller percentage of the population and their readership continues to decline. This demonstrates that online platforms have become the main source of news for many people.
6) How print newspapers are rated by their metrics (page 20)
Print newspapers are still rated highly in terms of trust and accuracy. Around 80% of readers say newspapers are trustworthy sources of information. Around 81% say newspapers provide accurate reporting. Around 73% of readers say they use newspapers for UK news, while around 43% use them for international news. Around 21% of readers say newspapers are useful for detailed analysis of events. These results show that newspapers are still respected for reliable journalism even though fewer people read them in print.
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?
Print media has declined significantly over the last three decades. Newspaper circulation and sales have dropped as audiences increasingly access news online. Many readers now prefer digital news because it is faster, free and easier to access.
2) Why is the Independent newspaper a good case study for the decline in print media?
The Independent is a strong example because it stopped producing a printed newspaper in 2016 and became a digital-only publication. This shows how traditional newspapers are moving online in order to survive financially.
3) What was the Independent newspaper famous for?
The newspaper was famous for independent journalism and strong political reporting. It was also known for its investigative journalism and serious coverage of national and international news.
4) What did the owner Evgeny Lebedev say about the digital-only future?
Evgeny Lebedev said that moving to digital publishing would allow the newspaper to reach a much larger global audience. He believed that digital journalism would help the brand grow internationally.
5) How do online newspapers make money?
Online newspapers mainly make money through digital advertising placed on their websites. They also earn money through subscription paywalls, sponsored content and partnerships with other companies.
6) What did Simon Kelner warn about the switch to digital?
Simon Kelner warned that moving completely online could make it difficult to maintain the same quality of journalism. He also warned that digital revenue might not fully replace the money previously made from print sales.
7) What is the concern with fake news? What does “post-truth” mean?
Fake news refers to false or misleading information that is presented as real news. The term post-truth refers to a situation where facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than emotions, beliefs or personal opinions.
8) Your view on the decline in print media
I think the decline of print media is understandable because digital news is quicker and easier for audiences to access. However, it is still concerning because newspapers often produce reliable and well-researched journalism. News should not always be completely free because journalists need funding to produce accurate reporting. It is worrying that respected publications such as The Independent can no longer survive as printed newspapers.
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