I’ve been following the print vs web issue for some time now – as many of you, I’m sure.
It’s a known fact that the newspaper industry is in big trouble. And, the decision for The Christian Science Monitor – a century-old paper – to go web-only, at the exception of a weekend magazine, is another proof that things are changing as explained in “Christian Science Paper to End Daily Print Edition,” an article published yesterday on the NY Times website:
Before The Monitor, a handful of small papers had shifted away from print. This year, The Capital Times in Madison, Wis., went online only, and The Daily Telegram in Superior, Wis., announced it would publish online except for two days a week.
Longtime readers “love coffee and a newspaper. So do I,†Mr. Yemma [CSM Managing Editor] said. “There’s nothing like it. But everyone, sooner or later, is going to have to make the transition, and that’s recognized.â€
Announcing the transition 6 months before it happens, the Christian Science Monitor is doing a great job explaining the decision in a complete Web package including several articles, a letter to the readers from the managing editor, a video and several slide shows.
Now, the question is: will higher ed magazines and other news-oriented publications follow or is it an opportunity for them to remain the only print pieces people will receive in the mail? What do you think?