Concerns have again surfaced about the state of the newspaper industry and what the future holds for journalism.

Courier-Mail Editor Michael Crutcher told QUT students and academics there is hope.

Tom Serafin reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The rise of online news has changed how news is delivered.

To survive, the editor of Brisbane’s only daily newspaper, says much needs to change.

Michael Crutcher, Courier-Mail Editor: “We’re changing with our audience. Our audience told us they’re much more up to date with news, so don’t give us something in the newspaper in the morning we knew about the night before.”

His comments recognise the growing popularity of online news.

Michael Crutcher, Courier-Mail Editor: “Online, big audience there, clicking on all day to see what’s breaking. So the paper becomes the complement to that breaking news.”

And the public agrees.

VOX POP 1: “I get most of my news online.”

VOX POP 2: “Internet and the newspaper in the cafe.”

VOX POP 3: “They’re kind of an ancient relic of the past, I prefer to read news online.”

Despite this, Mr Crutcher says there’s still great value to paper-based news.

Michael Crutcher, Courier-Mail Editor: “I think people like to sit down, they like to be able to read it at their pace, they like to be able to see an edited product as well, to see what has been given more prominence than other things.”

A local newsagent found this had little impact on his business.

Viet Tran, Bardon Newsagent Owner: “I don’t think it has affected the sale of my newspapers as much.”

So whilst it seems the state of the newspaper industry is ailing, in newsagencies like Viet Tran’s, there is still a steady interest in paper-based news.

Tom Serafin, QUT News.