Skip to main content

Interpret: publishing industry and electronic media

Short answer

The publishing industry depends on buyers of printed material, but electronic media such as CD-ROMs, online services and the Internet now offer the same information without paper. As electronic access becomes easier and more available, public demand for print falls. Thus the industry is threatened and may need to adapt, for example with digital editions.

Read the given text and interpret its meaning. The survival of the publishing industry depends upon the existence of a public who will buy the printed word in the form of newspapers, books and magazines. Over the past several years, however, the advance of electronic media, particularly CD-ROMs, online computer services, and the Internet, has made information available to the public electronically without the need for printed materials. As the availability of electronic media increases and as it is more easily accessible, the public has less need for printed materials.

The passage states that the printing and publishing business depends on readers who are willing to buy printed material, and that this base is weakening because electronic media provide the same information without paper.

Explanation

  • Dependence on buyers. The publishing industry can survive only if a public exists that buys newspapers, books and magazines. Without buyers, there is no business.
  • New competition. In recent years CD-ROMs, online computer services and the Internet have made information available directly on screen. People can read news, reference material and entertainment electronically.
  • Result. As electronic media become more widely available and easier to use, people feel less need to buy printed copies. Demand for print falls.
  • Implication. The writer implies that the publishing industry is threatened. To survive, publishers may need to change, for example by offering digital editions.

Message

The growth of easy and cheap electronic information is reducing the public's need for printed material, and so it endangers the publishing industry that depends on that need.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

Related questions

All Communication English chapter 1 questions →