Print industry on crossroad

AS technological development advanced in a supersonic speed, the fate of print media industry in US and world in general the crossroad.

This has been revealed in the practicum visit of Tanzanian journalist to Bangor Daily News (BDN) recently, where they attended editorial meeting headed by Managing Editor Michael Down.

Speaking with the journalists who where accompanied by UMaine lecturers Associated Professor Paul Grosswiler, Assistant Professor Mike Socolow and Kurt Klappenbach, BDN Online Editor Jeff Tuttle said coming of new media affects print media.

He said while in online they have five million pagers in a month, number of print subscribers is very minimal.

Jeff cautioned that with growth of online newspapers that have prompt impact to the in the public in terms of time efficiency would endanger the survivor of press.

He said as majority readers will choose new media, definitely advertiser will change their mind from advertising on press which is expensive and opt for online that is cheap.

“Growth of new media will affect the survival of print media in US and else where,” said Jeff.

Either Jess said that, currently visitors are paging free as their scared to loose them once it is on paid up system.

“There is seven online newspapers in Maine. Therefore, we cannot charge those who visit our website as we could loose them and advertisers as well,” said Jeff.

Such a danger is also facing Tanzania media as almost everyone now is coming online, since the public is much influenced on that side of communication.

But things might not be worse in Tanzania like in US as only few populations enjoy the new technological type of communication especially in urban areas.