Survey Says: Newspapers Still Relevant

THE Rosen Group has conducted its first ever media consumption survey to some interesting results. The Rosen Group polled 316 respondents ages 12-75, online, from February 18-23, 2009 and of the people surveyed "nearly 80 percent of respondents still subscribe to magazines and the vast majority (83 percent) find that daily newspapers are still relevant."
Judging by the dire financial state of newspapers one imagines "relevant" is somewhat different than, say, "worth the subscription fee." That said, 45 percent of those surveyed seemed to think newspapers and magazines will still exist in 10 years. See all the results here and the full release after the jump.

New York, NY: Despite the implosion of America's magazine and newspaper industry, the vast majority of adult consumers still consider the print editions of these publications indispensible sources of news and entertainment. In a new survey, public relations firm The Rosen Group, polled Americans about the current state of media, and what might be in store for the future. Nearly 80 percent of respondents still subscribe to magazines and the vast majority (83 percent) find that daily newspapers are still relevant.
Despite a pronounced move toward online news consumption, respondents still believe news is fit to print. When asked if newspapers and magazines will exist in 10 years, nearly half of those surveyed (45 percent) said yes, while 40 percent remained uncertain.
"People are looking online for news and lifestyle information, but they are not abandoning their print editions," said Lori Rosen, founder and president of The Rosen Group. "There is still a certain satisfaction and ease to holding printed text in your hands, and PDAs or PCs will not replace this just yet." Among the evidence: Even though the public can’t ignore the burgeoning blogosphere, nearly 60 percent of those surveyed agree that the information found on blogs is not credible.

Other key findings:

* Thirty percent cite Web sites devoted to news as their top source for updates; 66 percent say that they are among their daily news sources.
* Only 18 percent say that a print newspaper is their first stop for news, but 55 percent of respondents still look at newspapers on any given day. Fifty-three percent still subscribe to the print version of a newspaper.
* When it comes to leisure time, print magazines and Web sites tied for first as a leading entertainment source (26 percent). Only seven percent seek out their favorite magazines online.
* Sixty-five percent of respondents find weekly news magazines relevant.

Source: web3.0