Internet, changing tastes — not bias — reason for newspapers’ woes

In response to the letter (“Blame the media’s bias for newspapers’ decline,” The Herald, Jan. 8) and the reason why the newspaper industry is suffering financially as outlined in The Herald’s Jan. 1 editorial, well, I just think major points are completely ignored.

It isn’t because newspapers are too left or too right. In the 1950s, magazines lost out on their advertisement revenue because of television taking over. Now, newspapers are losing out on virtually all of their advertisement revenue to the internet. Also, the young generation coming up doesn’t get its news from newspapers.

I’m in my late 30s, and hardly anyone I know around my age reads newspapers. That is really sad to me, but understandable when almost everyone has a smartphone and a television. These are the reasons is why the newspaper is being crippled and devastated.

I guess some people want to live in a world where facts are ignored and politics are behind everything, but in this situation, it simply isn’t the case. But I will continue to read and support the newspaper industry because I love them and don’t mind ink on my fingertips at all.

Jeff Swanson

Everett

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, April 29

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

County Council members Jared Mead, left, and Nate Nehring speak to students on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, during Civic Education Day at the Snohomish County Campus in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Editorial: Students get a life lesson in building bridges

Two county officials’ civics campaign is showing the possibilities of discourse and government.

Comment: What’s harming science is a failure to communicate

Scientists need better public engagement to show the broader impact and value of their work.

Dowd: Instead of leaders we get Trump’s vicious sewing circle

Women were once deemed unfit for office as too emotional. Trump’s Cabinet is stocked with Real Housewives.

Saunders: Even supporters nervous about Trump’s tariff gambit

Trump’s tough talk worked with NATO, but so far he has little to show from tariff’s economic havoc.

Comment: War on ‘woke’ could end up killing U.S. innovation

‘Elite’ universities aren’t without fault, but starving research is eroding American competitiveness.

Comment: Has Trump learned from his ‘hot stove’ moment?

Mark Twain said a cat won’t sit twice on a hot stove. Trump may have learned the same lesson about the Fed.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Monday, April 28

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Comment: Musk doesn’t understand what Lincoln knew

That government should do the things that individuals and markets can’t or won’t do. That’s not waste, fraud or abuse.

Brooks: Trump’s greatest strength can also be his downfall

Trump has succeeded in his first 100 days by moving fast and breaking things. That serves his opposition.

Harrop: How can Elon Musk be a genius yet so clueless?

Now that President Trump has what he needs from him, Musk is being discarded, and poorer for it.

Comment: Stifling climate anxiety only ignores the problem

If we want kids to be less anxious about climate change, educate them and show them there are solutions.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.