Dead tree media

It's four months old, but I noticed this while looking for information related to the ever-changing ownership here at The Herald-Dispatch.

Media companies are having a hard time.

I like this line in particular:

Unfortunately, the end does not appear to be in sight, as younger generations -- both in the U.S. and abroad -- generally seek their news from Internet sources rather than newspapers or television.

People who rely on the Internet may gripe about the dead tree media, but where do they think Web sites get their news? Seriously, would www.herald-dispatch.com exist without the print edition of The Herald-Dispatch?

The newspaper industry is going through a significant shakeout. Knight-Ridder is history. The Wall Street Journal could be about to change ownership. The LA Times has its own turmoil. Meanwhile, smaller papers are being bought left and right.

We'll just have to see what companies are left standing in five to 10 years, and whether there are changes at the top.