The Proof is in the Words

Below are some quotes I have heard over the past three years as a student. Although instructors continually say they are optimistic about the future of the newspaper industry, their quotes indicate otherwise.

“The good news is you guys will be in on the ground floor of the next revolution”—San Jose State associate professor of journalism and mass communications.

“I don’t even know what I am going to do” —San Jose State journalism lecturer on his future as a journalist

“This could be the apocalypse for newspapers“—San Jose State journalism lecturer

“This would be the saddest meeting you ever saw”—San Jose State journalism lecturer after a class exercise talked about top newspaper executives meeting in New York City

“As long as you learn to write, you’ll always be able to find a job“ —San Jose State journalism lecturer

This would be the saddest meeting you ever saw,”—San Jose State journalism lecturer after a class exercise talked about top newspaper executives meeting in New York City

Time for a New Business Model

According to a San Jose State instructor, publications keep their subscription rates low, which used to attract a large number of readers. The publications would then use the high circulation rates to woo advertisers. This model resulted in publications making the bulk of their money through advertising. However, as circulation numbers have dropped through the years, so has the ad revenue.

The advent of websites like Craigslist has also led to the failing state of the newspaper industry as revenue generated through classified sales has declined.

“Damn Craigslist,”— Sacramento Bee Editor

According to another San Jose State instructor, newspapers have yet to figure out how to make money using the web. Keep in mind, the industry has known about this dilemma for at least eight years and has yet to figure out how to fix it. Newspapers are 20 times more lucrative per page than online sites.

The Rise and Fall

According to a San Jose State journalism lecturer, the fall of the great American newspaper began in the year 2000. It was at this time the industry began to see a drop in circulation. If things continue as is, newspapers will no longer be profitable in 2015. Funding won’t return to what it is today until about 2035.

Thank You

I applaud the faculty and staff of San Jose State University and Los Medanos College for being open and honest about the state of the newspaper industry. It has allowed me to prepare myself as I embark on a career that will most likely not be in journalism, but will see me use the valuable skills I am taught on a daily basis.

The Truth Remains Unknown

There appears to be a substantial amount of optimism about the state of the newspaper industry around the campuses of Los Medanos College and San Jose State University. I often wonder if this state of optimism is real. Not only do these instructors have a vested interest in the fate of newspapers — Their jobs depend on it—I often think instructors don’t want to crush the dreams of students.

Welcome

Hello,

What you will find here is the rise and fall of the great American newspaper as seen through the eyes of a journalism major at San Jose State University. Because I fear repercussions of my reporting, I will remain anonymous until I graduate. Most of the content for this blog is generated by the thoughts and comments of my current and past journalism instructors at Los Medanos College and San Jose State University