Argumentative Finley and Yu

Written documentation has always been vital in keeping historical, political, social and economic situation informing current citizens and archived for future ones. Since there has been such a strong demand and expansion of technology, there has been a spiraling effect in the decline of circulation and profitability in newspapers. However, the preservation of newspapers and other print sources is vital to the nation and its citizens. There are plenty more advantages for print newspaper sources than those of internet sources including credibility, local coverage, and equality.

        To begin, the bias views of internet bloggers is what makes it much less credible than statements from journalists. In Finley’s article, she states that “although print-based newspapers are not completely neutral, the problem of bias is far greater on the Internet” (Line 46-47) and even continues to say bloggers tend to fall into a particular age range as well as leaning toward certain political views, “Thus, they are more likely to offer partisan viewpoints. In contrast, traditional journalism requires fast-checking before an article goes to the press”. (Lines 51-52). Also in Roger Yu’s text, he states that a particular newspaper “emphasizes that is has fewer but better journalists producing more meaningful stories” (Lines 68-69), also demonstrating the need for less bias and more direct journalists for the public. Unlike much internet databases and sources, newspapers are relied upon to tell more facts and less opinion, as Finely mentions “while surely there is place for journalists to question and even evoke outrage, journalists are relied upon to do more” (Lines 54-55). Another role playing in the dispute over internet versus newspaper is that anyone for the most part can post or edit something on the internet, “hence misinformation can very easily be spread” (Finley Line 49).

        Although the ability of anyone being able to post on the internet may be the very reason a lot of people turn to it, coverage over local news is another primary factor and if newspapers spent more time on local matters as suggested by Finley, many would probably increase their profitability. For example, in Yu’s article, two local newspapers struggle with a head to head rivalry over how to approach reporting news. Although the Picayune was forced to cut their daily delivery down to three times a week, they as well as the New Orleans Advocate emphasize the importance of local news and daily events for the communities. Even with the decline in newspapers, the Picayune still manages to circulate a weekday average of about 115,000, a significant amount for a three days a week newspaper. The readers relying on the Picayune are expecting local situations to be stated, what most readers would rely on for a newspaper in their hometown.

        Consequently, internet access and power is not as equal as many may think. In fact, in Finley’s article, she mentions there is a “digital divide” and that many studies have confirmed people of certain races and of lower socioeconomic classes use the Internet with less frequency. If there is less access to information, the spreading of nation, social, economic, and political issues do not equally reaching all segments of the population. Not only is internet access in some cases limited, but with the decline of newspapers, wanting a hard copy can also be costly and for some that is either not acceptable or simply not manageable for those in lower financial standing. “Without newspapers, citizens will be deprived of information essential to understanding their world and to stimulating critical social, economic, and political engagement” (Lines 5-6) clarifies the significance on various levels of the importance of newspapers for the citizens on a nationwide basis.

        Similarly to the decline in newspapers, there has been a “ripple effect”, as Finley states, on other forms of media. “Historically, radio and television news take a good portion of their stores from newspapers, as newspaper reporting has a tendency to delve further into an issue, put stories in their historical context, and follow the story as it progresses” (Lines 71-73). This terrible ripple effect has become evident in an increase of the entertainment coverage and a decrease in information about politics, economics, and critical social issues. For example, in Yu’s article, he mentions how both newspapers emphasize on plenty of local issues such as “coverage in a place racked by crime and corruption but undergoing an economic revival” as well as “vows to continue to pursue investigative stories”, both being very important to the community of New Orleans.

        Furthermore, the importance of maintaining print newspaper sources is crucial to the entire population and should be given equal access regardless of any socioeconomic standing. The bias views and lack of equality of the internet sources demonstrates why newspapers hold higher credibility and stronger equality to all. The drastic decline in newspapers having a ripple effect on other forms of media is dangerous in that the focus is primarily on entertainment rather than crucial such as social, political and economic issues. The significance of preserving newspapers is prominent in saving our national awareness of issues and spreading word to all segments of the population.