The unique path of print journalism in the digital age

In the age of social networks and smartphones, the seemingly forgotten printed newspaper is finding a new place in the hearts of young people in its own way.

The seemingly forgotten printed newspaper is finding a new place in the hearts of young people in its own way.

Creativity to touch the hearts of young people

At a corner of a small coffee shop named To Buon 34 in Quang Trung ward ( Hai Duong City), Hai Duong newspapers are neatly hung on the bulletin board every morning. Mr. Dinh Nhat Vi, the shop owner, regularly updates each new issue every day. Not only for his personal interest, but he also wants to spread positive energy and authentic information to the young people who frequent the shop.

“Young people today access news mainly through social networks, where many things are sensational and sometimes inaccurate. I want them to read real information, carefully edited and with directional value,” Mr. Vi shared.

Hai Duong newspaper bulletin board was built by Mr. Nhat Vi at the end of 2023, at his To Buon 34 coffee shop.

Not only Mr. Vi, recently, many coffee shops in Hai Duong city such as La, Rosemary... have collected printed newspapers to decorate the shop and for customers to slowly enjoy a cup of coffee and read each line of news in the newspaper.

Sitting in a small corner of To Buon 34, Ms. Nguyen Huong Giang (a student at Hai Duong University) sipped coffee while flipping through the pages of Hai Duong newspaper. “At first, I came to the shop because of the beautiful space and many virtual living corners. But then I tried picking up the newspaper and reading it, and I liked it. The news was presented clearly, with large letters, without ads interrupting like on the internet. Reading the printed newspaper helps me concentrate better and have time to think, especially the articles about culture and education ,” Ms. Giang shared.

There is no denying the appeal of fast, convenient electronic newspapers, always bringing the whole world to the palm of your hand. But because it is too fast and too much, sometimes information passes by like a swipe of the hand. Meanwhile, printed newspapers with a slow rhythm, meticulous layout and in-depth content help readers stop for a moment, not only to read but also to think.

Print media is not going away, it just needs to change the way it tells stories. And one of the most prominent examples is Nhan Dan Newspaper with its special supplement on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory and the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South. These publications are not simply newspapers but media products that integrate technology, history and emotion.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South, Mr. Vi also collected a special supplement of Nhan Dan newspaper to display on the bulletin board.

Nhan Dan Newspaper has used AR (augmented reality) technology, allowing readers to interact with content via phone. Just scan the QR code, you can watch 3D videos, images recreating the historical campaign. Nearly 500,000 supplements have been printed and distributed for free nationwide. More notably, many young people have lined up in front of the editorial office just to own a special supplement.

Many people share that they want to collect the newspaper as a souvenir and also to give to their grandparents and parents who lived through the war. Each newspaper publication is not only information but also memories.

Creative, emotionally connected and unafraid of change. That is how print media finds its way to reach young people.

An irreplaceable part of reading culture

Living in the digital age, there are still many young people who appreciate the value of printed newspapers as a serious and trustworthy part of reading culture.

Mr. Trinh Ba Tan (in Nam Sach district) still has the habit of buying and collecting printed newspapers, especially holiday issues. Mr. Tan said that reading printed newspapers still brings a feeling of relaxation, easier to absorb than being caught up in the stream of hot news on the internet. Although electronic newspapers are convenient, for long articles and in-depth analysis, printed newspapers are still the number one choice. "Currently, printed newspapers have changed a lot, the layout is more beautiful, modern, the content is also very close and profound. I think printed newspapers still have their own place, especially for those who need solid, undisturbed information," Mr. Tan added.

Mr. Tan still has a hobby of collecting and reading printed newspapers because the information is not confusing.

No need for electronic devices, no need for charging or connecting to the internet, newspapers can still bring readers closer to information. Holding the newspaper in your hand, you can stop at an in-depth analysis, fold it to keep as a memory or simply feel the smell of ink, something that no electronic device can replace.

In the changing flow of media, when young people are starting to rediscover old things and are nostalgic about printed newspapers, the elderly who have been attached to printed newspapers are still the most loyal and numerous readers of this type of journalism.

Mr. Luu Thanh Truc in Phu Nhuan District (Ho Chi Minh City) has been passionate about reading and collecting Party newspapers from 63 provinces and cities for more than 30 years. "Each province has its own strengths, regional characteristics, and different ethnic groups... making each province's newspaper lively and diverse, creating an overall picture of a peaceful and developed Vietnam," said Mr. Truc.

Mr. Luu Thanh Truc in Phu Nhuan district, Ho Chi Minh City likes to read Party newspapers, including Hai Duong newspaper.

Print media is no longer the only medium of information. But that does not mean it has lost its role. On the contrary, the selectiveness of print media makes those who seek it out the people who truly appreciate the value of quality information.

However, to survive and develop in the digital age, print newspapers cannot stand still. The combination of traditional content and modern technology such as AR, QR codes, along with changes in presentation and writing style are important conditions.

Spreading the culture of reading printed newspapers to young people also requires support from schools, coffee shops, libraries...

Print media does not compete with online media in terms of speed of information but in terms of depth and emotional connection. When the younger generation begins to seek values ​​of "slow but steady", "more real than virtual", print media can completely regain its foothold if it knows how to renew itself.

SY THANG - LINH LINH

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/loi-di-rieng-cua-bao-in-trong-thoi-dai-so-413655.html