For readers of The Anniston Star, the changes wrought by the digital revolution of the late 20th century and early 21st century will become apparent next Monday. Starting Oct. 1, The Star will discontinue publishing a printed edition of the Monday newspaper.
This decision was not made lightly or carelessly. It comes as the newspaper industry is adapting to more readers relying on digital devices to receive news. The printed version of daily newspapers isn’t going away today or tomorrow, but its standing among readers is slowly receding.
Newspapers across the country are grappling with these changes, adapting to new realities that will require us to do things a little differently. Monday’s news from The Star will now be delivered at www.annistonstar.com.
We’ve heard from many readers who are unsettled by this development. They like seeing that printed paper in their newspaper boxes every day. So do we, yet the technological revolution that is displacing Johannes Gutenberg’s 15th-century innovation is unstoppable.
Of course, many of us will struggle in this revolution. Newspapers are deeply embedded in our daily lives — start the coffee brewing, bring in the morning paper and commence the day while thumbing through its pages. That means a lot to this newspaper. We recognize that the community journalism produced by The Star is central to the life of this community. Our aim is to continue to be relentless in pursuit of that work, regardless of whether it appears online, in print or both.
