Print media has some advantages over other forms of media.
Traditional print media has declined in popularity as digital media and digital media outlets and formats continue to expand. However, despite the decline in popularity of print media, traditional printed-based media still has some advantages over other forms of media, depending on who the targeted audience is and what message is being conveyed.
Localization
Digital and large-scale television and radio media are broadcast to thousands of people nationally. Some stories are even broadcast globally. Traditional print media is at an advantage for providing detailed, local news and advertising for small-time businesses and events. For example, a sale at a local car tire shop would reach its audience if advertised in a local newspaper or announced on fliers that were distributed around a community. It would not make sense to advertise the same sale on a nationally syndicated radio program, and the ad would probably never be seen on most websites, because there is very little local aspect to those media venues.
One exception to this is when local print media expand their services to hosting websites that offer all the same information.
No Technology Required
Older Americans are less technologically savvy than younger generations. Print media is still the preferred media source for many individuals who can not or do not want to work with current technology or do not have access to technological items. Print media is also less likely than digital media to cause eye strain when used over long periods of time.
Cost
Newspapers cost a dollar or two, most paperback books cost under $15. In contrast, even the most basic computers cost several hundred dollars and the various forms of e-readers typically run over $100. While you will save money over time using these technologies, the initial cost of print media items tends to be much lower and, as a bonus, the items are not nearly as fragile or desirable to thieves. If you leave your book behind on an airplane seat, you're out less than $20 versus $200 for your e-reader and all the books you had downloaded onto it.
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