Asunción, Agencia IP.- Silvio Waisbord, an American professor and lecturer, anticipates a future with reduced niches for print journalism. He praised Paraguay’s significant growth and advancements in all areas, considering that the last time he visited the country was 25 years ago.
Waisbord is a professor at the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, United States. He is the author and editor of nineteen books and articles on journalism, politics, media, and communication for social change.
He is the editor of the International Journal of Communication and the president-elect of the International Communication Association. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of California, San Diego, and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Buenos Aires.
During Journalism Week, before returning to the United States, he made a final stop at Paraguay TV to take a stand on a lingering question: will the newspaper disappear?
The future of print journalism
The lecturer provided his perspective on the future of print journalism. While he acknowledges that news consumption through digital media has grown exponentially, he does not rule out the survival of the print format, albeit with a smaller audience.
«Print journalism will have a very specific niche,» Waisbord affirmed in Tribuna, based on his experience as a solitary reader of a physical newspaper during his last flight. «There will be fewer and fewer people consuming it,» he added, pointing out the trend toward information consumption via mobile devices.
However, the expert does not see this as the end of journalism itself. «This does not mean there will be no journalism,» he clarified. «Journalism will have to reach people anyway, through channels other than just paper.»
The challenge of journalism in the digital age
Waisbord’s statements reflect the reality facing the journalism industry worldwide today. The advent of the internet and the rise of digital platforms have completely altered the informational landscape, forcing traditional media to adapt to survive.
The main challenge lies in finding new ways to reach audiences and generate revenue. Business models based on print advertising have lost effectiveness, so media outlets must explore alternatives such as digital subscriptions, crowdfunding, or creating exclusive content.
His assertion comes not only from an observer but also from a researcher who has published nearly 200 articles in academic journals on investigative journalism, media scandals, communication studies, media policy, misinformation, and global social change.
Waisbord concluded his visit to Paraguay with an interview with Tribuna. He came to our country coinciding with the week celebrating Paraguayan Journalist Day (April 26). The Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MITIC) organized a meeting with state communicators, with the support of the United States Embassy in Paraguay, through the Speaker Program of the Department of State.