Is Print Media Dead?: A Case Study on the effects of Reduced Newspaper Readership to the Financial Status of Philippine Daily Inquirer and Philippine Star
ABSTRACT
The study is essentially a look at the current health of the local print industry amidst a worldwide decline in newspaper readership by examining the financial statements and business strategies of two of the country’s biggest daily broadsheet in terms of revenue and coverage – The Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star. Trending analysis was employed on ten years’ worth of financial records for both publications in specific areas such Assets, Liabilities, Income, and Expenses.
These trends were compared to the readership base in the country over the last ten years and examined if any reasonable correlation exists. Industry experts were also interviewed to supply interpretations to the findings.
The study found out that even though the percentage of readers was declining, the number of readers has remained relatively unchanged, making both publications mostly unaffected over the last decade. The downward trend in readership, however, indirectly ceased growth for the market and disrupted the natural cycle of readers, thereby, posing a problem to the sustainability of newspapers in the next ten years.
Due to the inadequacy of literature for the print media industry in the Philippines, the study desires to be a template for further researches that would include assessment of other local newspapers such as tabloids and community papers.
Cruz, R. V. & Delos Reyes, A. A. (2014). Is Print Media Dead?: A Case Study on the effects of Reduced Newspaper Readership to the Financial Status of Philippine Daily Inquirer and Philippine Star, 2002-2012. Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis, University of the Philippines Diliman, College of Mass Communication.