Journalists Adapt to a Changing Society

Newspapers have been around for hundreds of years, but the way news is being communicated is constantly changing. Hundreds of years ago, printing presses were used to print the most newsworthy stories and share them with the public. This was a very time-consuming, tedious job, and only the wealthy could afford newspapers. Production was slow and people put long hours into printing. However, when the Internet was introduced to the public in 1995, journalists seized the opportunity and adapted to the advancing world.

With new technology emerging, journalists realized they needed to change their methods to appeal to most people in society. Shane Fitzgerald, an editor for the Intelligencer, said that in the last few years, the percentage of people reading paper newspapers has gone from 90 percent to 50 percent. This shows how many more people are getting their news digitally. However, this does not support the myth that newspapers are dying. Their popularity is growing, but it is growing digitally. It is the strategies and methods of newspaper companies that are changing. Information is being presented in new ways such as through videos, documentaries, and podcasts.

Ashley Williams, a new writer for the Intelligencer, said that when she graduated, she felt there were more opportunities in the broadcasting field. This is because most news has gone digital, and people like to see visuals. Fitzgerald said, “visual journalism becomes more important by the day”. With most news being published digitally, people like quick access to images. He mentioned how their new focus is not to design an eye-catching first page but to instead design the news to fit onto the screen of a cell phone, where most people now read their news. With the introduction of the Internet, journalists must now consider search engine optimization. They must understand Google trends and be familiar with keywords to catch people’s attention in only a few seconds.

Although journalism has drastically changed in the past few years, some things still remain constant. Fitzgerald emphasized that “It is better to be right than to be first.” This has held true from the very beginning. The most valued stories are the accurate ones that give facts. Great writing is still valued. Fitzgerald mentioned how every few months, the reporters will look at their 100 least viewed articles and avoid that style or topic of writing. Journalists still write about relevant topics that people want to read. Fitzgerald said that “it is so important to maintain your credibility and have good ethics.” Journalists have always needed to be cautious about what they publish, especially if it is a sensitive topic. Fitzgerald was heavily involved in writing about the Columbine shooting. He explained how there was a lot of debate in the newsroom regarding the publication of certain sensitive photos.

Contrary to what many people may think, newspapers are not dying, but they are being transformed. Along with many other things, journalists are adapting to a changing world. Digital newspapers are becoming more popular, and people all over the world are still depending on them for their information.