1. Summarize in 2-3 sentences
This article is about how the newspaper industry has experienced a decline in recent years. Many people have switched from reading physical newspapers to news websites.
2. Explain why you think there is a decline?
I think there is a decline in the media industry because it is easier for people to check their phone for a quick update than to open a newspaper. Also, people are less interested in long articles than short articles, which is what they get through most internet news sites.
3. What are the advantages / benefits of this scenario?
An advantage of this is that the common person can now write an article and be heard. In traditional newspapers, the articles were only written by professional journalists, and an effect of that was that there was not a lot of diversity in opinion. Another advantage is that it is free for the journalist to write. They do not have to pay for their newspapers to be printed.
4. What are the disadvantages / costs of this scenario?
A disadvantage of this situation is the validity of some internet news articles. With traditional newspapers, there was a degree of trust that the journalist checked their sources and was telling the truth. In web articles, that trust is not as strong because the writer is practically anonymous. Another disadvantage is that many traditional newspapers are running out of business.
5. Discuss the scenario in a social context
This scenario relates equality of access because anybody can write articles and have their voice heard on web news sites. Another social and ethical issue is integrity. Readers have to trust that the journalist is telling the truth in their articles and has not made up an issue.
6. Is there a need for a solution? or is this the natural course of society? Explain.
I do not think there is a need for solution. Although this situation has many disadvantages, such as traditional newspapers are running out of business, the benefits outweigh the costs. With newspapers on the internet, anybody can be a journalist. This increases the diversity of opinions in newspapers.
