Ideas for Newspapers

More and more newspapers are in trouble. This situation could threaten the future of our political system, but it also could open us to a new era of even better coverage and more responsive journalism.

The internet has already changed so many aspects of our lives, and is about to change even more. Amazon's Kindle sold out this holiday season, in spite of the grim economy. This device offers newspapers and magazines for download, as well as books.

There are already online services that have natural-sounding text-to-voice translators. What does this mean? You will be able to read or listen to any newspaper, even if your eyes are tired after a long day. With interactive devices, you might even be able to listen to the newspaper from your car radio.

What does this mean for newspapers? It means newspaper conglomerates can offer families of subscriptions for download at varying rates, just like cable TV package plans. If they don't have to worry about postage, printing, or delivery, they can charge very reasonable subscription fees for expanded services. Book reviews can be reinstated, with links to sellers. Through Kindle, readers would be able to order the titles instantly. Readers on home computers will be able to click from movie reviews to Netflix or a site with local theater times. Papers can band together to maintain foreign news bureaus. More cooperation with papers in other countries, aided by instant communications, will provide more detail and depth. Local papers can affiliate with national partners, receiving a percentage of subscription revenues.

In short, we, as readers, will have to pay for online news in the future, but we will get much more than we ever would have from a printed paper. It will be great for all of us, except for those who work in printing and delivery. There is a bright side there, too, however. Print on Demand services for books, posters, and other items are burgeoning. Also, internet ordering has created a demand for the delivery of goods. Even groceries can now be ordered online.

We are in a time of tremendous change. It is much more than a recession. It is a revolution. We need imagination and forward-thinking.