Final answer:
Declining readership is the biggest threat to newspapers, exacerbated by competition from new media sources such as digital advertising and social media. Newspapers have attempted to adapt by shifting online and creating digital pay plans, but the loss in print revenue remains a significant challenge. The correct answer is option A. Digital advertising and C. Social media
Step-by-step explanation:
Declining readership is generally considered the biggest threat to the future of newspapers. The erosion of print newspaper circulation has been ongoing since the peak in 1973, with competition from television and radio news contributing to this decline.
However, the digital era has introduced new challenges, including the rise of digital advertising and social media, which have changed the way people access news. In an effort to adapt, newspapers have turned to various digital strategies such as implementing digital pay plans to sustain themselves. Despite an increase in digital ad revenue for news magazines, it has not been sufficient to offset the loss in print revenue for newspapers.
Furthermore, the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism reported a decline in audiences for major news magazines in 2012, although newspaper circulation remained stable at around $10 billion after years of decline. This stability is largely due to the digital pay plans that have been enacted.
New media platforms continue to influence the dynamics of how information is consumed, with newspapers having to constantly evolve to remain visible and profitable in this shifting landscape. While national newspapers have fared comparatively better, small-town newspapers have experienced closures, leading to concerns about reduced community awareness.