Survey highlights widespread concern about future of US journalism: Altogether about 1,300 people were interviewed, including almost 1,000 working journalists, about half of them male, average age about 46.
More than half reported their readership or audience has shrunk more than 60 per cent over the past five years . Asked if they thought the trend might change and perhaps stabilize, about three-quarters replied pessimistically: “It's hard to say it ever will.” [...]
Another disturbing aspect of the changes taking place is that accuracy no longer seems to be important as it was. About 94 per cent said that accuracy was important when they started their jobs – but the figure is dropping, The expectation that journalists should “serve the public”, as well as providing “credibility” is also falling, many felt. Making a profit and attracting a big audience is now regarded as more important to many news companies.
The Perfect Storm Hits Newspapers: So now we see the beginning of the end for print newspapers. The tipping point has been passed. The economics of publishing has taken its toll.
The simple fact is that dropping circulation and ad revenue has led to the logical conclusion that publishing a print edition, where 50 percent of the cost is paper alone, is not sustainable.
