The Problem of Financing Print Media

Most people grew up watching their parents reading a printed newspaper. This particular image got stuck in our heads and might be one nostalgic reason for print media's survival to date.

But we all know that printed newspapers can be replaced by smartphones or tablets in a minute. Do we think this is a bad thing? And if it is, how can we safe and finance print media.

Print media's advertising revenue has reached an ultimate low. Brands and investors have found new and more profitable ways to promote their products. Nevertheless many people claim that print media is important for a flourishing culture and serious journalism. Moreover, printed newspapers still remain the dominant media power in Britain. Hence, media has to come up with new financial plans to ensure reliable reporting.

Online branches of established newspapers could cover a significant part of all costs for print media, because they have the same standards but a brighter future in advertising and subscriptions than their printed sibling. Furthermore, newspapers own a huge archive and a lot of information they might sell to a third party. They could sell deeper sponsorships that are more specialized. The weather could be sponsored by an umbrella company and the latest news about education could be sponsored by a publishing company for textbooks. These ideas might be risky and not completely thought-out yet but there are plenty ideas to resolve the problem of financing pint media.

Print media is likely to loose its meaning in the long run but for now a lot of people want to rely on that personal, traditional and intimate form of reporting. And that's a good reason for innovative ways to finance print media.