BY THE TIME you’re reading this from our newsstands, chances are you’ve already scrolled past this article on our page—maybe even glanced at it, skimmed through its contents, or shared it with someone else.
As news is now consumed in an instant click, swipe, or scroll, traditional newspapers may seem like they are losing relevance. However, that is not entirely the case, for they offer something digital media often cannot: depth, permanence, and a tangible connection to the stories that .
Consequently, when faced with the daunting challenge of adapting to the tides of digitalization, print media must continuously evolve to meet the shifting preferences of readers—often at the expense of a craft teetering on the brink of obsolescence.
“Ultimately, print and digital media must not only coexist but also complement each other, for both are vital guardians of the truth—the final line of defense against the forces that seek to distort or silence it.”
I’ve witnessed firsthand the struggles of our print publications within the University. While The Bedan has built a stable digital presence over the years, it remains, above all, a full-fledged publication, committed to delivering said stories through our monthly and bimonthly issues.
Unfortunately, the very broadsheets we painstakingly put together—carefully curating stories and culminating weeks of presswork and revisions—often meet fates unworthy of their content and significance.
Too often, these broadsheets serve purposes beyond reading. I have seen them used as sitting mats on the Football Field, makeshift fans, or even filler for art projects. Even more disheartening is seeing our freshly stacked issues collecting dust on newsstands, untouched and unread.
But rather than placing blame, we must acknowledge the fact that when information is quick and accessible, it is in our best interest to consume it with little effort. Social media and technology fulfill that need, making them the go-to sources of news.
The shift in these habits and preferences is inevitable, but does this mean that print is dying? The short answer: no. Not today, not tomorrow, and certainly not anytime soon.
Like reading a book, print media offers much more than tangibility. Reading a newspaper forces us to slow down. It encourages us to read between the lines and scrutinize the topics presented before us. It demands that every time we flip through its pages, we immerse ourselves in the world of both the subject and writer—an experience no digital medium can replicate.
More importantly, it is our way of documenting history. When the ink dries and the words marry the newspaper, all that remains is a snapshot of ideas, emotions, and stories captured in a moment in time—forever immortalized as a window to what once was and what it could be.
The challenge now is not to call out disinterest. Instead, we must find ways to reimagine print in a way that makes readers want to pick up the newspaper—not as an afterthought but as an essential part of the whole experience.
Ultimately, print and digital media must not only coexist but also complement each other, for both are vital guardians of the truth—the final line of defense against the forces that seek to distort or silence it.
So, whether you’re done reading this column from our newsstands, or finished scrolling through this from your phone screens, what matters is that the story, your stories, and those that truly matter, will always find a way to be told.
Email me at thebedan_associateeditor@sanbeda.edu.ph