'Newspapers have more readers than ever'

It is National Newspaper Week in the US and The Times and Democrat has published an upbeat message to its readers.

An opinion piece in the South Carolina-based paper says: "Some might ask what newspapers have to celebrate, as it seems so many are convinced “the paper” is disappearing from the American landscape.It is not, as most newspapers, from The New York Times to The Times and Democrat and the smallest of publications, have more readers than ever.
"Combine print and Internet audiences and the reach is worldwide for just about any publication. Newspapers have never done a good job of fighting for themselves, promoting themselves, instead looking to the public to understand that newspaper journalism is the backbone of democracy.

"Our very system of self-governance depends upon the press’ watchdog role. Do not forget Thomas Jefferson’s famous quote about newspapers being more important than the government itself. It’s time for newspapers to do battle against the naysayers."

The piece concludes: "Newspapers are changing in this information age. But the journalists who gather the news and create the products used to provide that news to millions remain as vital to this country as ever. We will survive -- and prosper. It’s essential."

Via the Newspaper Project