It was 7.30am and I was blissfully sleeping when I heard my roommate screaming on the phone: “What? 160 people dead?” He is a dynamic reporter of a rival newspaper. His source alerted him about the Air India Express plane crash in Mangalore. Within two minutes, I received a call from my alert colleague Mohan about the disaster.We swung into action and tried to grab news about the tragedy for our paper from all possible angles.
But all this made me realise the weakness of print media vis-à-vis television and the Internet. The news was all over the world in minutes, visuals were there for all to see on television. There was a minute-by-minute flow of information on the Internet.
I have been a journalist for 27 years non-stop. During the 90s, reporters used to be adored for news breaks. Even now they do a great job. But something is missing. The glamour is waning for the print journalists. When a journalist from a TV channel moves in with camera, the celebrity bias is visible.
Newspapers have to bear the brunt even on the ad front. This made me remember the comment by the owner of my former newspaper: “We are just eating the leftovers of television and Internet.” This comment was made 12 years ago.
Aah, I wonder how do you view the 'future of print news' debate.
ReplyDeleteIt is not true! I think I represent today's youth or today's generation or whatever you may call but I still prefer reading news early morning from a newspaper. It somehow segregates the news well which other media fail at!
ReplyDelete:)
And the way the visual media is now manufacturing news with masala add ons, very little will be left for print media.
ReplyDeleteBut,there are still dedicated readers who read news papers regularly, despite having gone over the screaming--uncalled for suggestions--bias being visible--partisan views of the anchors.
I dont think so .... there are still MANY MANY out there who detest the TV (even here in canada!) and people who cant seem to have any patience with the internet.... and prefer good ol newspapers...
ReplyDeleteMaybe in the broader sense you are less popular than visual media...but if it was not for the reporters, how would that section of the population get their share of NEWS?!!
I dont think Net and TV made such an impact, its true the news reache us by a click, but still i prefer the printed media like your blog friends :)
ReplyDeleteVery sad sad news :(
ReplyDeleteI saw it on Dutch TV !!
:(
I think people still want to read the newspaper in the morning even though they have seen and heard the news on tv screens many hours ago. . I guess there is a classic charm in newspapers. . Without newspapers in morning i feel like something is not right. . I desperately wait for my newspaper wallah every morning. . And i know the same is true with a lot of other people. . .
ReplyDeletenewspaper is a buffet, we can take what we like from all the dishes available, but for tv we have to take what they serve, and always, buffet is the best right ?...
ReplyDeleteso is the newspaper :)
I commented, but dono if it got posted. some internet prob.
ReplyDeleteanyways, nice write up pal.. keep going :)
I can truly relate to what you write. It really is a challenge for newspapers to break stories these days as the digital world and the television make it impossible to come up with "news". I am the editor of a fortnightly newspaper and the challenge to come up with a new story is even bigger.
ReplyDeleteBut I agree with Neha. Nothing beats the print media when they do their homework and do a deep in depth peice.
The downside of the Television is also that they are often based on sensational stuff.
Ramesh, good news reporting will never be redundant. In fact it is the need of the hour when more and more newspapers and networks are relying on sales to tricks to increase their TRP.
Good post:)
I don't watch the news..I read the newspapers..I like that more than the tv news :)
ReplyDeleteOf late, it has been a struggle for print media! When I follow news on the struggles of the American newspapers, sometimes I wonder if this is the beginning of the end!
ReplyDeletedude! times may have changed but not me...since i was 12 years old, i have a habit of watching the same news over and over again but i still read the front page of a news paper when my dad comes from work...
ReplyDeleteOh Ramesh! dont worry... there are still good number of people who follow this morning ritual of news paper and coffee!
ReplyDeleteWe can still conserve them by giving features and news analysis which the TVs cannot offer.. and internet is still require the 'booting time' for opening the computer..
The time is not too far to see the futility of the TV news channels who are only concerned in retaining the viewer ship than giving the news.. for eg. a poor reporter is sent to get a scoop about a raid.. and he describes about the building.. and a car coming and stopping, and some body going inside.. etc.. ball by ball commentary.. which is sheer nonsense.. and time waster...
Well.. even if you have done a degree or diploma.. at the end you need a paper Certificate!
I anytime prefer to read news holding the newspaper with a cuppa than watching them shout on TV!!! TV news is only for TRPs. A prominent news channel mentioned thus about the fate of the passengers thus "NOT A PIECE OF FLESH REMAINS" Is this what we need?
ReplyDeleteThey do anything for TRPs. Everything is breaking news. Where is the sensitivity? I prefer newspaper!!
When we need in-depth news, we still turn to print media, be it magazines or newspapers. But to get instant news nothing like TV or internet. I guess both complement each other.
ReplyDeleteSo true....
ReplyDeleteI understand what you mean ... back in the 80s (oh gawd, how old am I?!?) it was a big deal to take photos and then get them back to whoever was going to print them ... no email, no instant anything, it was rolls of film that had to be delivered ... but that's changed forever, even for print media
ReplyDeleteI commented too, dunno if it posted ... anyway, I said that I remember the days when film rolls had to be hand delivered (yes, I'm that old lol!)
ReplyDeleteyeah..you are right!! but I get that nagging feeling all day when I miss my morning news paper!
ReplyDeleteIt kinda goes well with coffee!
I am surprised people still read the newspaper. :) Most of the newspapers have gone online too. I guess the print media is fading away. At least, look at the bright side, we will save a lot of paper!!
ReplyDeleteBut I do agree, at the end of the day, if I need to confirm a story or get a detailed description,I look for it in print. :)
yep seriously...i agree..what matters at the end of the day is that the people know bout the news, few are bothered about the source if the news is true...... :l
ReplyDeleteyep seriously...i agree..what matters at the end of the day is that the people got the news, few people bother bout the source if the news is true :i
ReplyDeletenewspapers will stay
ReplyDeleteformat may change from paper to epaper or internet paper
boss..
ReplyDeleteits not like that..
still lot of people use to read print media regularly..
it is easy to recall - what we read in print media.. not with the case of visual media..
boss..
me still remembered the explanation of u for - "James + Bond + .007%!"
news is new ,,,frwm whichever channel it comes....the genunity should be maintained...
ReplyDeleteI prefer reading news in the newspaper. Yes, I watch news channels, but the way they dramatize and shout, makes me sick, most of the time. Print media need not go down to that level, though the news becomes a bit late, it is good to read than view.
ReplyDeleteWe had been buying Hindu and Express for many many years now and will continue. Hindu at home and Express at office! Times of India, online!
'Pin up girl' photos pops up on the right side, as soon as I click 'post a comment', hahaha, you too Ramesh!
ReplyDelete'Pin up girl' photos pops up on the right side, as soon as I click 'post a comment', hahaha, you too Ramesh!
ReplyDeletei feel newspapers are still here to stay. the electronic media still has long long way to go till it can totally overshadow our goog old newspaper :)
ReplyDeleteWOWOWO as sandhya says whats this .. on right hand side.. marwaoge at work put all this in temporary internet files he he hehe :)
ReplyDeleteyeah true news travles fast .. if only media stops manufacturing stories .. it wud be a bliss..
Sad about the accident.. BAD thing to happen..
Hey, if you need a piece of bread and a bowl of soup, my door is always open.. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI have no answer to that serious problem. I am a newspaper junkie, and I can't imagine a world without. Maybe the concept of papers have to change? Not immediate news, but well researched background stories about them? I dunno, I just wish advertisers would be more loyal.
tragic accident....nothing beats the print media but well television news is good when you are on the run
ReplyDeleteI agree with u but there are people who read newspaper first thing in the morning including me.TV doesn't cover all the news,only news which make the channels popular and some imp news are covered (this is what my small mind can think)
ReplyDeleteI like the printed media very much
ReplyDeleteNothing to beat my morning papers with a steaming cup of coffee!
ReplyDeleteI love reading newspaper in the morning with tea... it is the first thing I do... and If no newspaper.. I feel disappointed.... and News channel.. I stop seeing that after all breaking news for 24 hours continously..
ReplyDeleteRamesh,
ReplyDeleteYou are right about Newspaper being a second source of news these days. News is (has) moved to TV and internet and classified have moved to Internet. Newspapers are losing money for that reason. Most news papers have internet version also.
That is life. Change is the name of life.
However, I do believe newspapers are going to stay with us forever for detailed analysis and editorial. Internet and TV cannot replace that. That is where people like yourself (Editors) add most value to our life anyway. Presenting a news is one aspect but detailed analysis and editorials are hard part of your job. The first page I read in the newspaper is Editorial page.