Final answer:
It is false that today's newspapers achieve total market coverage, as the rise of digital media has caused a significant decline in print newspaper readership and shifted consumer behavior towards online news consumption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that today's newspapers can achieve total market coverage is false. The landscape of news consumption has shifted drastically with digital and online sources significantly overtaking print media in terms of readership. In the past, newspapers could reach a wide audience across various demographics, but with the advent of the internet and changing consumer behaviors, this is no longer the case.
While there are still around 1,400 daily newspapers in the United States with a substantial circulation, it is important to note that the print newspaper circulation peaked in 1973 and has been in decline ever since. This decline can be attributed to competition from television and radio news initially and, more recently, digital sources. Today, a significant number of Americans, especially younger demographics, prefer to receive their news online or through digital platforms, a trend that has deeply affected print media consumption.
Newspapers have had to adapt by becoming leaner and often less thorough in their reporting. Many small-town newspapers have folded, and larger conglomerates have taken over others. Despite these efforts, newspapers have not been able to maintain the same level of market coverage they once had. The rise of digital media and the subsequent changes in consumer behavior have meant that total market coverage through newspapers alone is unattainable in the current media landscape.