Do You Still Read Newspapers?

When was the last time you read a newspaper?

Me? I can't remember. Well, I can't remember when I actually read, like really read a newspaper. Most of the newspapers my dad buys are tabloids, which usually are full of it, if y'know what I mean.

In these times when everything you need to know can be found online, does anyone still find the time to read newspapers?

Back in 2009, I was working as a Senior Team Leader for one of the call centers here in Manila. I was assigned to a customer service account for one of the leading newspapers in the US. What we do is we take customer complaints or reports on late deliveries by the newspaper carriers assigned to their area, wet papers (yes, soaked after their sprinklers come on), incomplete papers, and missing Sunday coupons. We also handle new subscriptions, cancellations, extensions and billing concerns.

You'd think it was an easy job, huh? No, it wasn't. When I started as an agent, I didn't completely understand why they're making a big deal out of late newspaper deliveries. I even had customers crying over that. But, as time went on, I began to understand. I mean, I've been watching American movies and TV shows, and from there, you'd see that it's really part of their culture - reading newspapers in the morning. Like what one of the customers told me, "My day's not complete without reading the newspaper".

I don't know about you, but I prefer reading news articles online. I feel it's more accessible and easier to read. I hate the smell of newspaper, especially the ink. But, there was a time in my life that I really enjoyed reading the paper. I was a big fan of broadsheets Inquirer and Manila Bulletin. We used to have a subscription back in Navotas, but we only want the Sunday editions of the paper.

With vast information that can be found online today, I know that the number of newspaper subscribers in the US is dwindling. I handle a lot of subscription cancellations and most of the reasons we get are usually related to the convenience of reading news online. Well, if you know about computers and know where to get reliable news and information online, then, you'd probably agree with me that it's better reading news online. Plus, you don't have to pay for any subscription. No more worries about lousy carriers, moving your delivery address, etc.

I remember I handled this escalated call of a customer who was what we call a "Snowbird" (a detailed explanation here). He told me that they were forced to extend their stay at an RV park because they had to get an rv repair done and they were waiting on their son to join them. He called us wanting to cancel the "address move" of their subscription for the following day. I told them we couldn't cancel the move anymore because it had to be done at least 3 days before the move. The customer was so upset because he didn't want anyone to have their newspaper at the other RV park they'll be moving to. I had to give him 2-day credits because of the inconvenience. While I was explaining about the credits, I heard her daughter, probably a teenager, yelling out to him, "Dad, just read the news online! The newspaper is a thing of the past!". He defended himself saying that nothing beats reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee in the morning. None of those MySpace stuff can distract you, he continued.

Only people who enjoy reading newspaper can really understand and relate to that. I'm still sticking with my preference of reading news online. However, I'd love to hear your views on this.

Do you still prefer reading newspapers over reading from online news sites?