Stop the Presses: The American Newspaper In Peril

Dan Gross, former Senior News Editor at Newsweek, states that predicting the future of the news industry is impossible. Newsweek, once a leading print publication, transitioned to an online-only format in 2012, but this move became a cautionary tale rather than a success. Contrary to the belief that digital is the future, print is still relevant, as noted by publisher Christian von Thillo. The issue lies in outdated business models, not in the demand for newspapers. Modern newspapers now face challenges from aggregator sites like The Huffington Post, which profit from others' content, a practice criticized as theft by Vandermeersch. The shift to free content has made it difficult to revert to paid models, likened to a butcher giving away free meat for years and then charging customers. Edwy Plenel, former Le Monde editor and founder of Mediapart, warns that free content and aggregation sites threaten quality journalism, essential for democracy. The conflict is intensifying as aggregators change news consumption, with digital companies like Buzzfeed promoting a social news model. However, many journalists and editors worry that the current trend could eliminate investigative journalism within a decade. This provides a compelling look into the ongoing struggle within the information industry.