Being an Internet writer, there is a lot to be said of reading a newspaper. Yes, the paper thing with tons of words contained within it. One can actually sit down in a quiet place and take in what they are reading without all the bells and whistles. Oh and let us not forget those nasty pop-up ads or ads that race across the text of what one is reading on the Internet. Those I find highly-distracting. Also let us not forget, there are no viruses or worms contained within a newspaper as one will find on the Internet by clicking on the wrong site. Let us also remember a page in the newspaper will not freeze as a page on one’s computer monitor which leads one to pound their keyboard. Now that can be frustrating.
What is not frustrating is my morning routine as I sit and read my Newsday eating my breakfast. Actually, it is very calming. Even with the price increase, I do remain a faithful reader and one reason is that it contains news articles within it that are not being covered on the broadcast or cable news. Also should one wish to find these articles, for the non-tech-savvy person like me, searching for them on the Internet can be time consuming. Often it is the little blurbs within the newspaper that do inspire me to write one of my columns for my blog.
I think with the advance of the Internet we are able to connect with those living around the planet, and while that is great, I still want to know what is happening within my own community. Sadly, a year ago, a local newspaper, Suffolk Life printed its last edition and ended decades of first-class reporting. Contained within that paper were reports of town-hall meetings, school-board meetings and community events that are truly relevant to one’s daily-life. I just do not see how the Internet can replace that yet and especially with computers costing far more than purchasing a daily newspaper. Like it or not, not everyone is able to afford to purchase a computer and with cuts to libraries being made access to computers within them may be cut back. So, how are people supposed to find out what is happening within their own communities should newspapers die off?
I would say that purchasing and reading newspapers is more democratic since the price is more reasonable than buying a computer and then the ISP service. Oh and then one has to purchase the software to upload onto their computer and that too costs money.
A few weeks back as the heads of the Big-Three came to Washington D.C, in order to help save the auto-industry, it created a backlash against the executives for daring to put their hand out to help save good American jobs. We still do not know how that will work when they have been given billions from the TARP fund. Hopefully those auto-executives will use the people’s money wisely unlike those banking-executives. Do not get me started there.
At this point, people are not buying cars due to a failing economy and where many auto employees face and uncertain future. As one reads the news, many employees of newspapers are losing their jobs and this is where I feel that Americans can come to their rescue to help save these jobs since the price of a newspaper is low in comparison to that of an automobile.
Yes, I hear the environmental concerns of using tons of paper, but that is what recycling is all about. If people truly get on board to recycle newspaper where it can be used for the printing of new ones, yes, we can save trees.
As I promoted this idea to help save the newspaper industry on my Facebook.com page, one commenter stated, “Those jobs are no longer viable. We need to create new opportunities.” Do we allow for these jobs to no longer be viable in these economic times? It will take time to create new opportunities, but in the meantime, we still have the opportunity to help save the jobs of those who work for newspapers coast-to-coast.
At this moment in time, there is likely a newspaper employee losing his or her job, or has lost one who is shaking with fear of how they are going to make ends meet and this is where you and I can come in and help these honest, hardworking folks. As I stated on my Facebook.com page, "We need to save newspapers...So, go out and buy one today!" Then as you do, pick a nice quite space, open it up to read about the world that surrounds you. You just may learn something that is not being broadcasted or easily found on the Internet.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
