What Future for Newspapers?

For more than a decade now the newspaper industry has been portrayed as a diminishing light, its once-powerful voice muted by the social and new-media economy. The current environment was thrown into relief last week as stark new figures published in Press Gazette suggest that nearly 300 newspaper titles have closed in 10 years. There are now only 6,500 employed journalists compared to double that in 2005.

Despite this news, the report also contained a small ray of light for journalists, editors, and publishers large and small. 100 new titles were launched in that same time period and overall, 1,100 local newspapers are still published in the UK, according to News Media Association. This year, for instance, Newsquest has launched four new newspapers or newspaper editions, and Tindle has launched five titles in London.
 
While we don’t claim responsibility for these nascent publications, the revenue NLA media access collects on behalf of publishers through licensing equates to the employment of around 1,100 journalists in the UK. A small but not insignificant contribution to the industry that supports our licensees, helping them to get their messages heard by 46 million people per year .

We strive to support journalism in everything we do and look forward to continuing to support the newspaper industry as it continues to deliver an invaluable service in the digital world.