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Journalism in a changing world

What is the life of newsprint?

By Andrew Grant-Adamson • Sep 29th, 2007 • Category: Journalism, Newspapers

At this time of year I ask new students about their primary sources of news — where they normally look first. Is it radio, TV, newspapers or the web? Over the years the web has grown to be the first choice but last week newspapers did not feature at all among a group of around 20 students. It is the first time that has happened, not one hand went up.

So I asked an extra question: How many think newspapers are the first choice of your parents? Well over half the hands went up. This led to a discussion of how long printed newspapers, as we know them, would last. Until the generation of the students parents die, was the suggestion that seemed to get most support.

Interestingly, there was still a preference among many of the students for reading on paper and that led to talking about the impact of newsprint production on carbon emissions and the potential of electronic paper.

Andrew Grant-Adamson is Andrew Grant-Adamson is a journalist who now teaches a new generation of writers, subs and editors at the University of Westminster.
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4 Responses »

  1. Grants Directory on September 29th, 2007 at 5:30 pm:

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  2. Grants Directory » Blog Archive » Education Grants - Has Grant Shapps been coaching Caroline Spelman? on September 29th, 2007 at 5:54 pm:

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  3. Best of the journalism blogs on September 30th, 2007 at 6:06 am:

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  4. Notes from a Teacher: Mark on Media » Sunday squibs on October 1st, 2007 at 3:19 am:

    [...] What is the life of newsprint? Andrew Grant-Adamson gets a reality check on the value of newspapers to young folk, But, apparently, about well over half of them say their parents are still reading. [...]

  5. howardowens.com: media blog » Blog Archive » How much longer will newspapers last? on October 17th, 2007 at 1:10 am:

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  6. News aggregator | yelvington.com on November 17th, 2007 at 7:51 pm:

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