Picking up and reading newspapers isn’t a top priority for William Paterson University students. With the Internet in the palms of everyone’s hands, the desire to pick up a paper is diminishing.
Hand-held gadgets and computers make it easier for students to get their news for free and on the go.
“All the news they offer on the Internet is for free,” said Luis Mora, a WPU junior. “Newspaper companies charge thirty-five cents, and people aren't going to go out of their way to pick up a newspaper when the information is easily accessible on the Internet.”
Due to the economic crisis, many newspaper companies have been laying off journalists due to the fall in newspaper sales, but in order for people to read the news, companies need journalists.
Amanda Daniels, a WPU senior, said, “ I’m a communication major and it scares me that I won’t be able to find a job anywhere in journalism.”
“My fear is, is if experienced journalists are being laid off, my chances aren’t looking that good after graduation with finding a job,” said Amanda Weindel a junior at WPU.
Some of the top newspaper companies have been throwing around the idea of charging readers for accessing stories online in order to makes ends meet, but is that way going to be very effective?
“I think that charging would just be a company’s downfall”, said Mary Caccitore a WPU senior. “The Internet has so many different news sources, even if five newspaper companies start charging to use their site, there are still hundreds of other sites that people can get their news from for free.”
“I do not think it will be effective at all. I think that if the websites charge people to use their sites it will deter their customers in another direction to find the news for free.” said Mora.
According to an Associated Press survey in 2008, the number one source for people to get their news is the television. With the Internet still in the picture, the numbers may alter over the years.
“The number one source of news for me would have to be either TV or the Internet, I watch the news every week day morning while getting ready for work, and the internet, mostly because I am on it all the time,” said Caccitore.
WPU’s newspaper the Pioneer Times can be accessed all across the campus, but a lot of students don’t read the paper.
“I don’t really have time to read the paper on campus,” said Daniels. “I’m a commuter and I’m always doing school work, so it never crosses my mind to grab a paper.”
The Internet has been a very useful tool for many things, but has it made society crippled?
“The Internet has been a virus for many things, the newspaper is just one thing it has affected,” said Caccitore. “The internet has made this society so lazy.”
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