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CONCERN for trees was a major reason for not buying newspapers given by a hundred 21-year-old BU students taking part in a survey organised by a team of Multi-Media Journalism undergraduates.
The environment-conscious respondents also pointed to the considerable carbon footprint involved in turning virgin timber into newsprint and its shipping across long distances, as well as the energy consumed in the printing process and the daily distribution, mainly by lorry, of millions of copies to every corner of the country.
“We were surprised that this view figured so strongly,” said Louise Driscoll who conducted the survey along with Hannah Jarvis, Jenny Line and Suzannah Ramsdale. “But it is certainly a factor for many young people.” Only nine per cent regarded newspapers as their main source of news while
10 per cent turned to online newspapers.
Two-thirds kept up with world affairs by either various websites or TV, and only seven per cent tuned into radio news. Other reasons that were given for preferring screen to print were:
● Quicker and easier
● It’s free
● It’s constantly updated – papers often carry old news
● You can choose the news that interests you.
To the question of what would make more students buy newspapers the answer was clear. Whether tree lovers or computer fiends, 63% were in agreement. “They should include more free gifts.”
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