In recent years, people around the world have switched from the traditional print newspapers to new digital news sources. This has led to a decrease in print media in the 1990s due to the Internet explosion.   The newspaper transported popular journalism and news into homes. The printed newspaper was a part of daily life, delivered daily to a person’s door or the local market. 

Why is the newspaper going away and being replaced by digital content? 

The change has been driven by technology such as artificial intelligence and this is altering  people’s preferences. It only makes sense that there is a radical change into digital content. 

Local publishers are cutting down on daily papers and trading in the traditional newspaper for the convenience of online news. There is a rising cost to printing newspapers and an argument that consumers prefer news on computer applications rather than in a newspaper. Consumers can now download digital newspapers, articles, coupons, comics and gossip columns. Digital content is readily available as the newspaper once was in the past. 

Consumers can get the same content with less cost to the company. For instance, the newspaper company does not have to pay for delivery people, printing costs and renting big buildings for journalists to occupy. Instead newspaper companies only pay for the application developers, journalists and editors.

This is true with Carolina Forest High School’s newspaper, too. Mrs. Martha Anderson was the first advisor of the print newspaper  “The Prowler.” At the time, she was teaching three classes of journalism that allowed for articles to be published at a fast rate. “The Prowler” monthly print newspaper ran for 20 years but, was discontinued after Mrs. Martha Anderson retired.

 The Prowler (CFHS’s newspaper) is now only available digitally. Prior to the 2016-2017 school year  “The Prowler” was created monthly in a print newspaper. Included articles throughout the month, student interviews and Hall Talks; similar to On the streets. This newspaper was heavenly supported by sponsors. As people’s love for print decreased, so did the support of sponsors. 

“Despite the advantages of a digital newspaper for schools, which includes videos and more interaction, I do miss the feel of a hard copy to peruse with the hall talks, extra pictures, and food coupons. Students and teachers would get so excited for the free Chic-Fil-A sandwich each month,” shared Ann Twigg, CFHS’s newspaper adviser.  

The new digital Prowler is efficient and easy to access. It does not require as much sponsorship and is cost effective. The digital version has many perks such as videos, polls and highlighted slideshows. It provides its audience with interactive media. 

Rachel Durkin, a former newspaper student, contributed, “I love how inclusive the new digital newspaper is  and how well it represents our changing student body. ”

The world of print is changing and the newspaper is changing with it. The newspaper serves the community and is here to stay whether it is printed or digital. It seems journalism is evolving, not disappearing.