This week across Canada is National Newspaper Week. It’s a mass awareness campaign that recognizes journalists strive to produce credible, factual news in a timely manner.
We accept trusted news as a cornerstone of democracy and journalists are proud of the critical role they play. But it’s also an opportunity for a bit of tongue-in-cheek chest thumping.
During the last few years, claims of fake news and disinformation have filtered into newspapers and social media platforms, creating uncertainty among readers.
Instead of posing questions to high-profile individuals or other media pundits, the Gazette opted to ask people on the street their opinions on where the industry is marching.
In our quick interviews, no restrictions were placed on individuals. However, it was important to know that for us “news” referred to every topic in a paper from current political events, sports and entertainment to health, food, car talk and lifestyle.
Below are the viewpoints of our residents.
Lauren van Keulen
Self-employed owner of DogDog Goose
Q. Do you read newspapers?
A. Not a hard copy. I typically follow links that pop up on my social media or read things sent by my friends.
Q. What topics do you enjoy?
A. Current events, important events in politics, arts, entertainment.
Q. Where are newspapers going?
A. It’s hard to say. Everything is digital content whether it’s online or not. Online information is instant and so if you travel across the world, you can easily access information from St. Albert. It’s so much easier. My husband is very tech savvy and he reads the news every morning on his phone before he gets out of bed.
Q. Would you consider subscribing to a newspaper?
A. If hard copy goes the way of the phone book, that same information can be accessed online, so it just means the way it’s published will change.
Barry Breadner
Retired
Q. Do you read newspapers?
A. Yes. It’s probably out of habit because of the way I grew up. Today I also get news on my tablet and computer and I’m finding a huge volume online. I pick about one out of three to read.
Q. What topics interest you?
A. I’m interested in reading the more political or economic. I like to read the Edmonton Journal’s different columnists – Andrew Coyne and John Ivison. On the Internet I read the National Post and my favourite for international news is The Economist. And I read the St. Albert Gazette for local news.
Marty Hunt
Retired
Q. Do you read newspapers?
A. Yes and I watch the news on TV for backup. I read the newspaper every morning from cover to cover even though it’s getting thinner and thinner.
Q. What is your favourite section?
A. I’m a hockey guy. I read sports first and go back to the first section. I get a kick out of the puzzles and it helps to wake up the grey matter.
Q. Would you consider moving to a more digital format?
A. Right now I’m strictly a newspaper and TV guy. But if the newspaper keeps getting smaller, I’ll probably get my news off the computer.
Laurianne Douville
Retired
Q. How do you access news?
A. From the Journal and TV. For local and Canadian content I prefer the Journal, but for world news I like CNN.
Q. Do you use other information providers?
A. I go on the Internet quite a bit for recipes, music, this, that and the other thing.
Q. Why do you enjoy reading print copies?
A. I’m a reader. I love books and I love newspapers. Some people don’t like holding books. I do like holding books and newspapers. They feel more comfortable, more personal.
Q. Where do you see the industry progressing?
A. Newspapers are getting smaller and smaller. Just a few years ago, they were bigger. People right now get a lot of information from the Internet, but I hope newspapers don’t die out.
