By - Akangjungla
In an era dominated by the internet and digital technology, the rapid spread of low-cost connectivity and user-friendly gadgets has let loose a flood of content creators across social media and other online platforms. Amid this digital shift, print media faces an existential challenge. With newspapers struggling to retain their relevance, many predict a gloomy future where they may vanish from daily life, reduced to mere archival remnants. Yet, despite the harsh pressure to adapt, replicate and compete with digital media, newspapers have not disappeared. Instead, they continue to hold their ground, although in an evolving landscape.
The question remains: Are newspapers still relevant? Can local newspapers survive the dramatic shift in reading habits? These concerns have forced the industry into a difficult process of reinvention, reevaluating functions, shifting focus and striving to maintain revenue and stability. Many publications have accepted that coexistence with digital media is unavoidable.
Yet, print media has endured for nearly six centuries and its resilience cannot be dismissed. While digital platforms excel in immediacy, reach and creative presentation, newspapers offer something different, a tangible, durable connection between readers and stories. The credibility of a newspaper lies in its accountability, its commitment to well-researched journalism, and its ability to foster trust. Newspapers must resist the temptation to chase breaking news at the cost of depth. Instead, they should focus on delivering authentic, responsible perspectives, journalism that stands the test of time. This is how newspapers can retain influence, regardless of technological disruptions.
However, journalism, like any public good, needs support to thrive. Journalists are often unfairly painted with broad strokes, accused of political bias or corruption. While self-reflection within the profession is necessary, public support is crucial. A society that values truth must actively sustain journalism, ensuring it remains independent and robust. In Nagaland, the decline in print sales and advertising revenue contrasts sharply with the booming digital space. On a global scale, UNESCO reports that global social media users nearly doubled from 2.3 billion in 2016 to 4.2 billion in 2021. While this explosion has amplified voices, it has not necessarily elevated quality journalism. The distinction between casual content and journalistic severity must be preserved.
Here, the absence of a unified journalists’ body in Nagaland weakens collective strength. As media houses navigate financial and operational challenges, Governments, civil societies and the public must step in. Strengthening journalism is not just the media’s responsibility, it is a societal imperative. Trustworthy news, critical analysis and accountability depend on it. The digital age is not the end of newspapers, it is a call to reinvent, reaffirm trust and rally public support. The printed word has survived revolutions before; with adaptability and integrity, it will endure this one too.
Comments can be sent to akangjungla@gmail.com
