Sacramento Bee Cuts Staff in Half -- Are Newspapers Going to the Dogs?

Newspapers are not as up to date as the latest news from CNN or Yahoo or GOOGLE. 

When you get today's paper, you're reading yesterdays news already and that format isn't working for most Americans anymore.

Sad but true, unless the newspaper industry "reinvents" itself, it's probably going to continue to slide into obscurity!

And I threw the paper for three years as a young boy!  WHat will kids do for work now! ( Hahaha, that's a rhetorical question because we all know kids today don't think they need to work!)

I think they are in deep trouble - mainly because they cannot deliver the same speed as electronic media, but also because they don't promote what value they bring to the table. The papers still do provide value, in my opinion. I hope they figure it out!

Elizabeth:  I'm surprised to hear the newspaper is having so much trouble.  Maybe they should figure out some ways to generate some online revenue. 

Elizabeth, I stopped taking the newspaper several years ago. I didn't have time to read what I already knew about national items, and most of them are not willing to spend the time and manpower to get the local stories.

We are heading to an era of "all-platform" journalists. Newspapers as we know them will not exist, but there will still be a local newspaper coming to your stoop every day or maybe once a week. If you are unfamiliar with that all-platform term read this artcile about CNN's expansion of that group: http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/cnn/new_bureaus_new_kind_of_journos_for_cnn_91407.asp

Great post! It definitely got a lot of people talking and thinking!

Elizabeth, I like the newspaper personally and get it seven days a week. I am in the minority. The twenty somethings don't read the newspaper. Where this is all going? I don't know. It doesn't look good if you are in the newspaper business.

Elizabeth: My first job even before babysitting was delivering papers. When it was summer and sunny, I tied my paper bag full of papers to my handlebars and away I went on my route. During the Midwest winters, I walked my route pulling my sled that had the papers I needed to deliver in it. I think all of my money went to buy candy and soda because I don't ever remember saving any of it. It will be a sad day when we don't receive any of our news in this method.

I love reading the morning paper and especially the Sunday paper. There is something about sitting in the big comfortable chair and the feel of the paper in your hand. Our local paper is already attempting to push me to their website to get additional details. It started with the condensed TV listings. Then the cartoons and now other lifestyle features.

People still pay for magazines so I hope they will continue to pay for newspapers.

Elizabeth - Actually, my husband has been telling me for a long time that he thinks newspapers are on their way out - at least around here.  With other ways to find out what's going on around the world, fewer people are buying newspapers...  :)

Elizabeth - I get the paper, but, that is because of the business I am in. I try to keep up with what's going on locally. In general, though, I think print newspapers are on their way out. I can see the small local papers going back to once or twice a week and then disappearing altogether. The large papers, well, I believe they will be around for a couple more decades but they to will be going away as print media. I have used my paper for the birds before, as well as for dog house breaking. What will we do when they go away?

Elizabeth - The Sacramento Bee has been part of Sacramento history for as long as we can remember.  It's hard to imagine that it won't always be with us.  That being said, it seems that even though The Bee ultimately went paperless, the news always needs to be reported and conveyed.  Whether that's via paper, electronically via I-Phones, or television.  Perhaps the format will change, but hopefully, the Sacramento Bee will be with us for a long long time.

I forwarded your blog to Valerie, my daughter.  She is worried about the newspapers also.  I would hate to face the day without my two newspapers to read.  I'm with you.  I want the news in-depth and not newsflashes that are repeated over and over.

She knows all right.  She has already expressed her worries.  I just wanted her to see how well you wrote about it.  : )

Elizabeth - I haven't really followed much of Lisa Heyamoto's writing.  But I understand she's moving to Prague with her boyfriend???