"Every month, when we make our rounds to distribute newspapers to our classmates, more of my peers decline to take one. I've had my fair share of awkward stares and mumbled nos as students look back at their phone screens in response, as I ask them if they'd like a newspaper. It's a feeling shared by other student journalists. Janet Guan, opinions editor at Mission San Jose High's student paper,"
"At its core, journalism is meant to disseminate news to the public to keep them informed about the world around them in an accessible way. So when news outlets are struggling to keep the attention of a generation that consumes information in 20-second TikToks and Instagram Reels, I can't help but wonder: by not doing a better job at adapting to a younger audience, is traditional news still serving its fundamental purpose?"
Student newspapers face declining pickup rates as many students refuse physical copies in favor of phones. Observers report reduced enthusiasm for reading school papers among peers. Journalism's core purpose is to disseminate news accessibly and keep the public informed. Younger audiences increasingly consume short-form content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, favoring quick clips and creators' breakdowns. A 2022 Statistica survey found 50% of Gen Z young adults use social media most frequently for news, while under 7% use cable news or newspapers. The shift toward social media raises concerns about traditional news' ability to inform youth effectively.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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