The first newspaper printed in America was the Boston News Letter on April 24, 1704. It was a weekly, and filled with news of ship arrivals, deaths, politics, accidents, and news from London. A feature story was how Blackbeard the pirate was killed.

This morning I heard an off-hand comment on the radio that “within our lifetime, there will be no newspapers,” and I immediately began to think of what our world would be without that form of communication. I suppose the comment was prompted by the news that the Boston Globe may be discontinued.

Newspapers today are challenged on all sides by competition, not just from other newspapers but other venues including electronic media. I am old enough to remember when radio was king of the airwaves, then along came television. But radio did not die. There seem to be more stations than ever!

Today apparently many people get their news, or a version of it, electronically. There are many who don’t have the capability of receiving this news and others, like me, who consider reading the newspaper – holding it, folding it – the appropriate process by which to be informed. I would hate to think that the only news available was via bloggers!

Another challenge newspapers face is definitely a reflection of today’s economic conditions – with less retail sales, less is being spent on advertising and all newspapers are feeling the impact. But this will change, as it always has.

I just cannot imagine there being no newspapers. I mean, what does Freedom of the Press mean without the printed word? Even the word “press” implies printing – not airwaving!

Newspapers, once read and digested, continue to serve. They’re good for absorbing moisture from a newly washed floor. Crumpled up, they provide packing material and reading material for the recipient of packages. Newspapers are a quick substitute for the umbrella left at home. They provide a better screen for hiding than ducking out of sight behind a pole. Newspapers can help start a fire and with a little imagination, can be crafted into papier mache.

And newspapers, like all printed material (or hard copy, as it is called) are permanent records of the foibles and foolishness, the deeds (brave and otherwise) and the goings on of our civilization.

You must like newspapers, too. Share your copy!

See you in a couple of weeks.