That was the question heading one of our Kauffman Econ Blogger Forum discussions. The panel spent most of the time discussing whether newspapers are dead (Scott Jagow's summary is here), which to me seems probable, if not obvious. That they are dying, no one can deny. Is it sad? Yes. Is the end of seeking truth in current events? Hardly.
What is likely to happen is that newspapers will evolve, perhaps so swiftly and completely that it will be hard to believe that the future species is related to the gray-paper-o-saurus. But will journalism die? That was a trick question. The answer in my mind is that bloggers are the new journalists. Or at least, some are. (Is Rushbo a journo?). In fact, it seems more accurate to critique the growing bias in newspapers than decry the savages in pajamas.
Insofar as we agree that journalism is the reporting of news in pursuit of objective truth, my belief is that this is a fundamental human motivation, the same spirit driving scientific curiosity. The day journalism dies is the day humanity is extinguished, and I'm still on the optimistic side of projecting neither of those events will occur, present recessions notwithstanding. That schools of journalism have downplayed objective truth exists, and some newspapers have abandoned ancient principles of objectivity, they have hastened the downfall of the daily printed word. But those are quibbles, really.
What's ultimately driving the evolution of journalism is the business model. A grimy gray broadsheet has some tactile appeal, about the same way that riding a horse has its appeal. But compared to the alternatives of jet planes and automobiles, the appeal is nostalgic. But the economics of newspapers (and maybe local news television) is eroding. The recession will accelerate the erosion, perhaps completely. The alternative is what exactly? Free content on YouTube and RealClear? Maybe. Or maybe the spectrum of news is much broader than what you imagine.
Maybe we should think about an infinitely long tail where people will pay, handsomely, for news about interests they deeply care about. The President will probably pay dearly for news about Iranian nukes, and the health of dear leaders in North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela. My friend Luis will subscribe to feeds about Star Wars action figures no doubt (and who wouldn't?).
This is all to say, Luis wonders if the business model for journalism won't look a lot like iTunes.
Tim: As I wrote on my blog, Truth on the Market, I think Tyler is pretty far off base with this one. See http://www.truthonthemarket.com/2009/04/28/what-does-tyler-know-about-law-and-economics-anyway/
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