Paper’s challenge

Like most reading today, I grew up with a newspaper printed on newsprint. I came to appreciate the distinctive smell of ink on paper. I enjoyed the feel of having one in my hands, flipping pages to favorite sections and writers who informed me both with facts and creativity.

Until the past few years, that traditional form of newspaper has remained the norm. I either grabbed it from a rack or the one rolled, bagged and thrown in the driveway in the predawn hours.

Then emerged the cyberspace version of communication known as blogs and social media. From that point, the newsprint industry had to radically adapt or perish. “The Genie” had been freed.

Who would ever have thought a once-flourishing industry could experience such enormous upheaval in a relatively brief period?

Yet that’s what’s happened through no fault of the publishers. We should have known early on that this form of “progress” had the potential to crash headlong into the way things always had been.

Look where American business stands today. The technological revolution began changing our lives in bewildering ways until companies stand in 2019 with serious decisions to make to remain viable.

So I write this morning not simply to acknowledge these changes, but to shamelessly appeal to readers and subscribers of our invaluable state newspaper to help it survive. The critical time has arrived for us to familiarize ourselves with the new electronically delivered paper and thereby remain loyal to your Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

I realize this requires a brief learning curve and change in routine. But the alternative is to perhaps lose our primary connection to the major events and activities of the day across Arkansas, aka the voice of this vital newspaper. What’s it worth to remain informed?

The fundamental shift in delivering and reading newspapers is not only happening in Arkansas. Dailies nationwide have been forced into radical cutbacks or outright oblivion after hesitating to accept this economic reality and facilitate necessary changes.

As with any private business, a viable newspaper must take in enough to pay its expenses, which includes the salaries of those who gather and report the news and commentary we all need to remain informed. A credible source of factual information is more valuable than ever in our changing and troubled society.

Walter Hussman Jr., publisher of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, is justifiably considered one of the most-respected publishers of privately owned newspapers in America. His commitment always has been to put readers’ desires ahead of any priority for his papers. It still is, as evidenced by how hard he and those at the brain

trust of this paper are trying to make the necessary transition from paper to electronic editions offering the same information in the easiest way possible.

Is it ideal for many? I’m sure not. But if, amazingly, he is willing to purchase $329 iPads for every subscriber (costing $12 million) and even send support teams to teach how to use the device and continue reading, I call that unique commitment of the first order.

This change to an electronic paper (except on Sundays by 2020 for all but the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) is further evidence of his willingness to sacrifice now for the sake of preserving the paper that has been losing advertising revenue since 2006.

In putting millions where his heart is, Hussman genuinely wants to continue making sure our state has a paper its residents can appreciate, enjoy and respect.

Sure, that cell phone in your hand is also a powerful computer and search engine. But it doesn’t come close to adequately or credibly covering what happening across our state.

The annual subscription for the paper’s digital version will remain as close as possible to where it stands today in order for the paper to remain viable. It takes a hefty sum to produce a statewide daily paper filled with reliable, relevant and interesting news, sports, entertainment and general information.

Since it has proven difficult for this industry as a whole to make the transition from advertising in newsprint to a condensed, relatively incompatible electronic form, advertising revenue has decreased accordingly. Traditionally, circulation revenue has pretty much only covered expenses.

In 2019 America, delivery via electronics will have to take up some of that considerable slack. I believe most Arkansans who want to see their newspaper succeed will understand and appreciate this harsh economic reality. I can only hope they do because, believe me, the struggle for survival is real.

No one asked me to write this appeal. I haven’t spoken with Walter Hussman in months. Meanwhile, he’s been visiting civic clubs statewide to explain why this conversion is necessary.

I offered my opinion because, as a lifelong journalist, I believe our subscribers and readers are willing to meet the Democrat-Gazette halfway to keep her alive for us all.