Only 56% of US internet users rank newspapers as an important information source
According to the 2010 USC Annenberg Digital Future Study, only 56% of internet users ranked newspapers as an important source of information.
Both internet (78%) and television (68%) were ranked above newspapers.
In 2008, 60% of respondents considered newspapers as an important information source – meaning there has been a 4% drop.
Down from 32% in 2008, 29% of internet users consider newspapers an important source of entertainment.
18% of internet users stopped a subscription to a newspaper or magazine because they could find the same information and content online.
When asked where they would go for information if the print edition of their newspaper ceased, 59% said they would read the online version, and only 37% said they would read the print edition of another paper.
22% of users who did read newspapers said that they would not miss the print edition of their newspaper.
“The downward spiral in print newspaper circulation no doubt will be accelerated by advances in online delivery of news content through e-readers or other handheld electronic devices,” said Jeffrey I. Cole, director of the Center for the Digital Future at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
“After years of aborted attempts, these advances finally appear to be practical and affordable methods of providing electronic news content to readers. If so, what will that mean for the future of the traditional print newspaper?”