Newspapers have always intending to provide the reader with a pressing topic (politics, weather, foreign nations, ect) give a few examples and maybe a few opinions, but hopefully (ultimately) the final opinion was that of the reader…and that was the opinion that was suppose to matter. But on a rare occasion newspapers bring attention to matters that we, as readers, didn’t even know we cared about until we read it. And it is because of this point I feel that newspapers still play a role in being that “watchdog” figure; keeping big business in check.
The message that newspapers give is one of concern for the people; whether for or against the problem or product. Our very own Atlanta Journal Constitution provided an article as to how the headphones, mainly used on Apple products, are causing ear loss in teens and young adults. Now this article can be received in many different ways. One can read this and think, “Wow, maybe I shouldn’t use Apple headphones,” while another person may think, “This kids need to be off these devices and read a book any ways.” What I feel this article truly did was cause Apple to revisit their product, cause them to think, is this true? How can we help consumers to buy this product without fear of hearing loss? Newspapers articles also work both ways though.
Apple, a few weeks later, asked for a rebuttal article that stating, “Nothing is fundamentally wrong with our headphones, but please be sure that the volume is not up all the way as you listen to your programs.” In addition, they did place a warning label on their headphone packages.
Newspapers help keep the people informed about these businesses that they trust so highly. If newspapers downsize, and in my opinion become obsolete, the knowledge of the people would decrease. Newspapers do what people don’t and even can’t; get to the source and ask questions. The average person cannot ask the CEO of a company why they do what they do, but newspapers ( by showing the interest of the people) can persuade and convince the head to have a sit down.
At the end of the day, I would like to know the different situations that are plaguing my community, my city and especially my country.
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