Many decades ago when Ted Turner announced he was starting a round-the-clock TV news operation. I dismissed the notion. Fast forward to the present—
Now Ted Turner says: “All you got to do is pick up the business section of any newspaper, and they’re reporting on it right now. I mean, I really hate to see it. I like newspapers. But you know, I’m 67 years old. When I die, the newspapers are going to die with me, unfortunately, for the most part.
“I mean, the information is available on the Internet hours sooner than your newspaper, and you don’t have to pay for it. I mean, it’s — you know, and if the newspapers don’t give their information in the Internet, they’ll die even faster.
“So it’s just — it is just an inefficient way to get information to somebody. They have to print it, hours later deliver it, by hand or by truck. When you can send the same information electronically, and people can get it instantaneously, it’s over for newspapers, unfortunately. I mean, I hate to see that happen.”
Turner’s prediction is not at all silly. I know many would-be journalists who are turning away from newspapers. Others have been either laid off or fear the ax. They are preparing to change careers in mid-stream. Meanwhile publishers are squeezing harder than ever for obscene profits, further discouraging their employees. Sounds like a death rattle. I began as a reporter at 15 and stopped at 67 years of age. Almost always it was enormous fun.
So it is sad.
