Newspaper Website: The Tulsa World

Some people will always want that newspaper in their hands. I’m one of them. Regardless the paper, I just prefer to have the print in my hands, even though I spend a good portion of my day in front of a computer.

There lies the problem. Newspaper subscriptions are dramatically falling. More and more people get their news on a computer screen. Opt-in e-mails, online subscriptions, blogs, television stations, and even major mail servers like Google and Yahoo are providing news.

But one strong advantage to newspapers that cannot be dismissed is strong reporting. Do we really want a society without newspaper reporters? I don’t. So how do newspapers survive and provide strong reporting without the funding of subscriptions and retail purchases?

The Tulsa World recently answered this question. The World had for some time maintained a website. However, many of the features were unavailable unless you were a subscriber. The website saw a BIG change a few weeks ago. Everything is now available for free. Everything, including archiving search back nearly twenty years. There is a small price to pay. Advertising. I have read the comments around complaining about this but, frankly, it doesn’t bother me.

The World made the leap that only a handful of major newspapers have made and I applaud it. Love it, hate it, or indifferent, the Tulsa World is the only remaining major newspaper in Tulsa. Much of the news reported in Tulsa starts there, and a good portion of the investigative reporting. Check out the new site at:

http://www.tulsaworld.com

Off. Will Dalsing

Comments

[Brianna]

I recently had a college assignment that asked this question: "Will the newspaper be around in 25 years?" I answered, "Yes." The reason I believe that is because of people like you who trust the newspapers' quality reporting.

The Tulsa World website needs some technical issues resolved, but I also think they have taken a big step forward in offering what they do online. Good post, TPD!! :)

[Off. Will Dalsing]

Thanks Brianna.

I would love to read your assignment if you would care to share it with me.
The discussion interests me, particularly that any successful democracy requires an unfettered media...and so forth. The internet is certainly part of that, also, but the ethical standards of good reporting need to be upheld.

Thanks Again,

Will Dalsing

[Brianna]

Will,

I agree with you about democracy and media. It's sad how hypercommercialized TV media have become. It's nice to be able to pick up a newspaper and read mostly news, not ads.

Unfortunately, the assignment was a discussion board assignment through TCC, but here is my post:

In thinking about this question, my thoughts immediately turned to my grandparents, who read the newspaper religiously. In 25 years, they will be in their mid-90's. As long as people like them are alive and wanting to read a real newspaper (printed traditionally) I think it will still be widely available. My grandparents can hardly work their cell phones! (Much less, a new type of newspaper electronic device!) However, shortly after that generation is gone, I think things could change dramatically. The newest generations are more adaptable to change, less set in their ways, and enjoy technology and the ease of life it brings. The younger generations also do not value the quality of newspaper reporting. Most people my age get their news from only the Internet, which we know is not always reliable, or from only one source. If the younger generations are not introduced to the high quality and trusted reporting of newspaper journalists, it is possible that the newspaper will take other, more electronic forms.

So, there you have it. My Mass Comm assignment for TCC. It's a very interesting class that teaches "media literacy." I have learned more about newspapers, television, and books than I ever thought possible. It's a good class that anyone good benefit from...and EXCELLENT discussions!

Thanks for responding. I saw the news story about the TPD blog and thought I would check it out. I'm a blog fanatic!

Brianna

[Off. Will Dalsing]

Welcome, and get the feed. As you can tell, I generally get two entries posted per day.

Thanks,

Will

[Tom]

I recall the Tulsa World's website before they created the online subscriptions to read it online. It is nice to hear (or is that read) that they have returned to making all of the site free to read again.

[Off. Will Dalsing]

Thanks for reading, Tom.