NEWSPAPER AND JOURNALISM IN THE DIGITAL AGE: IS THIS THE DEAD END?

Abstract

Newspapers in the contemporary era are confronted with challenges with direct consequences for their very survival consequent upon the activities in cyberspace, which borders on news gathering, production, analysis and dissemination. While employing an expository theme with relevant literature, this paper explored the transformation of the industry and Journalism, even as the Disruptive Technologies theoretical framework underpins the analysis. The article looked at the shifting dynamics and emerging trends that have far-reaching consequences for the industry as journalists grapple with strategies to remain relevant in their trade. It recommends that journalists in this era must be in tune with what is obtainable and drives the process; they should acquire digital communication and literacy skills that will enable them to fit into the system; journalists should rejig their investigative journalism skills to dig deep and enrich their stories while setting them and their medium apart from the ubiquitous news purveyors online. Finally, it was put forward that journalism as a profession should be streamlined and properly organised to vet entrance into the profession—where new members are required to fulfill certain conditions, such as certification, before being admitted, as it is obtainable in other respectable professions.