At first glance, print media seems to thrive in the UK. I’ve never seen so many newspaper stands and magazine shops in one area, fully stocked and readily available. I had to track down a Barnes & Noble to find a variety of magazines for my advertising class last semester, so to see print media for sale on every corner was new to me.
When I first noticed the multitude of people reading newspapers on the Tube, buses, and trains here in London, I felt sort of sad. Are Americans not reading? Is this a reflection of our education system? Many of us journalism students are aware of the declining rate of newspapers sales in the United States. My mother works for a newspaper in Houston, and she receives a free subscription for her and my grandparents, but majority of my peers and I don’t read print. After many hours of trying to grasp this concept in my head, I realized that there are distinct differences in the lifestyle here in the UK versus the US.
Now I realize to typecast the United Kingdom and United States into cookie-cutter lifestyles is stereotypical and frankly a “bloody” waste of time. I understand that both areas are vast in population with varying cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and preferences.
However, I’ve noticed public transportation is a major component in London. It’s a major city, with a large commuter community, and most of the country’s national newspapers based here in London. It’s essentially a media hub. Everywhere from the Tube, bus, train, to riding a taxi, people are either physically reading print or consuming media on their smartphones.
Comparing this lifestyle to my own experiences in Denton, Texas (where you NEED a car in order to survive), I realize Denton and London are immensely different. Most Texans cannot read newspapers on their way to work, because they are most likely driving. A more fair comparison would be to compare London to New York City. London is very busy and industrious. Everyone seems to be on the go and not have enough time for small talk or brief conversation (which was quite the culture shock). In London, print media is more convenient. An individual can easily pick up reading where they left off as they switch to the next train or wait in line for a cup of coffee. With digital media, often you have to wait for a webpage to load or attempt to connect to a strong WiFi source, which when on-the-go can be pretty sketchy. Whereas with print media, it can travel with you anywhere, and if you happen to find an article you really enjoy, you can easily store it for later.
So I’ve found that it’s not that Americans aren’t reading, despite what British stereotypes of us may say, but lifestyle changes cause individuals to adapt and consume media in a form that best suits them. Print media is competing with the digital world. And as online media becomes accessible and affordable to the average consumer, print papers will have to enlist more perks to stay competitive. There are already magazines available in the UK, that offer free giveaways with the purchase of a magazine. Should the United States follow suit?
The Sojournalist 
Great post! I voted. -Tracy