[The Editors' Verdict] The Role of Print Newspapers Remains

Imokhee, Senior Specialist

I subscribe to several types of paper newspapers. I cannot read them all thoroughly. I get more news and information through mobile. Since I carry my phone all day, it is inevitable. However, there is one thing I always do when holding a paper newspaper. I skim through the headlines and article sizes from the front page to the last page. The article layout itself is the message. The front page reveals how that media outlet views the world today. The same goes for the society and economy pages.

Within the limited pages lie the struggles of reporters, editors, and desk editors. The sudden burst of ink smell. The subtle texture of the paper. Some people find the nostalgia and joy that paper newspapers provide. Beyond that, I believe the greatest advantage of paper newspapers is refinement. On the internet or mobile, people tend to look for information they like themselves. Paper newspapers approach readers with refined articles, refined headlines, and refined editing.

Online articles also go through an editing process. However, prioritizing speed makes them ever-changing. It is impossible not to care about immediate click counts. Headlines tend to become provocative and impulsive. Especially, the diversified means of information delivery are fueling confusion. Facebook, YouTube. Adding political factionalism makes it hard to discern what is true. The controversy over fake news is intense. When talking with those who frequently watch YouTube, it can be frustrating. They blindly believe one-sided claims, which is exasperating.

A few years ago, a British company surveyed 50 Nobel laureates. They asked what poses the greatest threat to humanity. Population and environmental issues, nuclear war, and infectious diseases were cited. Among them, one pointed to Facebook. It is presumed they were aware of the side effects of public opinion distortion. The Washington Post examined the news spread by former U.S. President Trump through tweets and public speeches. They concluded that over 30,000 lies and falsehoods were disseminated during his four-year term. Since the leader of the world's strongest country acted this way, the world inevitably became chaotic.

Paper newspapers are in decline. Most media outlets emphasize online-first. They release online articles and then select some to publish in paper newspapers. The limitations of article volume on paper, slow speed, and inconvenient distribution cannot be resolved overnight. However, when these are transformed into strengths, a new path opens. It plays a role in cultivating a clear-eyed view of the world.

How about taking a contrarian approach with paper newspapers? Unobtrusive headlines and editing. The virtue of slowness in information delivery. Using this, only news that has been thoroughly fact-checked should be published. The goal is to firmly establish the perception among readers that "the content reported in paper newspapers is trustworthy." Recently, among young journalists, there is an expression of yearning for facts beyond political affiliations. Paper newspapers can be the first means to meet that demand. Online services for viewing paper newspaper pages and PDFs should also be made easily accessible. This can contribute to changing readers' attitudes toward news.

I also ask readers to subscribe to paper newspapers. If that is difficult, at least view the paper newspaper layouts online. It does not take much effort to glance at the layouts of four to five media outlets, including progressive, conservative, centrist, and economic newspapers. If you do this consistently for a few months, you will feel your perspective on news improve significantly. Your sense of balance toward social agendas will increase. It may also help weaken factional conflicts in politics and society overall.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.