Blog tasks: The decline in print media
Part 1: Ofcom report into news consumption
Read this Ofcom report on the consumption of news in the UK and answer the following questions (bullet points/short answers are fine):
1) Look at the headlines from the report on page 5 & 6. Pick three that you think are interesting and bullet point them here. Why did you pick those three in particular?
2) Now look at the motivations for following news which differs by age on pages 7 & 8. What are the main reasons people gave for following news? What are the percentages?
The main reasons people gave for following news were to know what is going on in the world, to understand what is happening in the UK, and because it is important to be informed citizens. Around seven in ten people said they follow news to keep up with current events, while around six in ten said it helps them understand issues that affect them personally. Older age groups were more likely than younger people to say staying informed is important, with the highest percentages among those aged 55 and over.
3) Look at the platforms used, by age on page 9. What trends do you notice based on the platforms used and by the different age groups?
Younger people are much more likely to use online sources and social media for news, while older age groups rely more on TV, radio, and print newspapers. Use of PSB TV news has fallen among 16 to 24 year olds from 61% in 2022 to 43% in 2025, while remaining stable among those aged 75 and over. This shows a clear generational shift from traditional platforms to digital and social platforms.
4) Look at how online news continues to be a key platform for receiving news on page 14. How does the internet enable audiences to access the news in different ways? Can you provide any examples of news organisations with percentages?
The internet allows people to access news directly through websites and apps, through search engines and aggregators, and through social media platforms. 71% of adults access news online and 60% use online intermediaries, with Meta services used by 39% of UK adults. Among direct websites, BBC Online is used by 59%, followed by Sky News at 21%, The Guardian at 20%, and The Daily Mail at 14%.
5) Look at the news brands (print newspapers and digital offerings) on page 20. Can you provide percentages of readership of print vs. online?
34% of the total population use print or online newspapers for news, while only 19% read print newspapers. Of those who use newsbrands, 42% read only print versions and 43% read only online versions, while 15% read both print and online. This shows that online readership is now slightly higher than print only readership.
6) Looking again at page 20 for news brands - how are print newspapers rated by their metrics - can you offer the different metrics with percentages?
Among regular readers, 74% rate print newspapers highly for accuracy, 73% for trustworthiness, and 70% for impartiality. Younger readers aged 16 to 24 rate newspapers even more highly, with 84% for accuracy, 79% for trustworthiness, and 81% for impartiality. Among those aged 75 and over, the figures are lower at 69% for accuracy, 71% for trustworthiness, and 62% for impartiality.
Part 2: Factsheet - The death of print media
Go to our Media Factsheet archive and open Factsheet 165: The death of print media. Our Media Factsheet archive is on the Media Shared drive: M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets or you can find it online here - you'll need to log in using your Greenford Google login.
Read the Factsheet and complete the following questions/tasks (bullet points/short answers are fine):
1) What has happened to print media in the last 30 years?
Print media has declined significantly due to the rise of digital media and changing audience habits. Circulations and advertising revenues have fallen as audiences consume more free online news. Traditional print is no longer the dominant source of information it once was.
2) Why is the Independent newspaper such a good case study for the decline in print media?
The Independent is a strong case study because it stopped printing in 2016 after years of falling circulation and financial difficulty. It was sold for £1 and later moved to an online only model. Its closure in print form clearly reflects the wider struggles facing print newspapers.
3) What was the Independent newspaper famous for?
The Independent was famous for being free from political bias and proprietorial influence. It was known for its campaigning and unorthodox front pages. It promoted itself as offering a fresh and non aligned perspective.
4) What did the then-owner of the Independent, Evgeny Lebedev, say about the newspaper's digital-only future?
Evgeny Lebedev said the future of news is digital and that readers are driving this change. He described ending the print edition as a bold transition to preserve the brand. He believed the move would allow investment in high quality editorial content online.
5) How do online newspapers make money?
Online newspapers make money through advertising revenue, sponsored content, subscriptions, paywalls, and reader contributions. Some offer ad free versions for paying users. Others rely heavily on digital advertising and increased web traffic.
6) What did the Independent's longest-serving editor Simon Kelner warn regarding the switch to digital?
Simon Kelner warned that the Independent’s originality, design, and variety of voices would be difficult to replicate online. He suggested the unique feel of the print edition might be lost in digital form. He questioned whether the institutional values could survive the transition.
7) What is the concern with fake news? What does 'post-truth' refer to?
The concern with fake news is that false stories can be created quickly, shared widely on social media, and accepted as fact before being challenged. Fake sites often copy the style of trusted news brands to mislead audiences. Post truth refers to a situation where objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than emotions and personal beliefs.
8) What is your view on the decline in print media? Should news be free? Is it a concern that established media brands such as the Independent can no longer afford to exist as a printed newspaper?
The decline of print media is concerning because print newspapers often have strong editorial standards and public trust. News should not be entirely free because quality journalism requires funding. It is worrying that established brands can no longer afford print editions, as this may reduce media diversity and access for older audiences.
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