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Poll results

The Portland Phoenix, a free weekly newspaper, hit the city's streets — and the web — Nov. 13. As Mainebiz reported in October, the Phoenix has been relaunched with a new ownership group after folding in February.

Our news about the news came as another paper, the Journal Tribune, last month printed its final edition. The JT had covered the Biddeford-Saco area since 1884.

Here at Mainebiz, we're bullish about the future of Maine print journalism. But we're also realistic; it's a tough business. Readers, as you often do, have the final say.

What are the prospects ahead for Maine's print journalism industry?
The future of Maine print journalism looks brighter than ever. (8%, 5 VOTES)
Maine news publications are doing fine; reports of their death are greatly exaggerated. (42%, 27 VOTES)
Newspapers and other news publications in Maine will slowly become extinct. (28%, 18 VOTES)
Maine's print journalism is filled with fake news, so no wonder the field is dying! (22%, 14 VOTES)
Poll Description

The Portland Phoenix, a free weekly newspaper, hit the city's streets — and the web — Nov. 13. As Mainebiz reported in October, the Phoenix has been relaunched with a new ownership group after folding in February.

Our news about the news came as another paper, the Journal Tribune, last month printed its final edition. The JT had covered the Biddeford-Saco area since 1884.

Here at Mainebiz, we're bullish about the future of Maine print journalism. But we're also realistic; it's a tough business. Readers, as you often do, have the final say.

  • 64 Votes
  • 4 Comments
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4 Comments

  • Michael Ludwig
    November 20, 2019

    Those that adapt and continue to report unbiased, well-researched stories will hopefully thrive when done in conjunction with electronic delivery. Quality reporting is more important than ever because of all the misinformation out there.

  • Rick Rector
    November 20, 2019

    Slowly is probably a matter of decades. In the meantime, publishers need to get advertisers to pay for their digital advertising at a rate that's reflective of the true cost of production. Editors are paid the same whether they're writing for print or the Web. Secondarily, publishers need to find a way to make their digital product more like the print product. Without print the "serendipity factor" of discovering a story you weren't looking for, but is of interest is greatly reduced on current Web-based platforms.

  • November 20, 2019

    I heard an interesting piece on NPR about small town newspapers and how they can survive into the future. (Worth the listen.) In essence, if local newspapers become non-profits, they can survive on donations/benefactors as well as subscriptions. It would be a sad loss if print media were to completely disappear.

  • November 20, 2019

    I don't like any of the choices. If we want local newspapers to survive, we have to be willing to support them. The future is not written in stone!