Websites 'boost newspapers'

SYDNEY - Far from signing their own death warrant, newspapers have grown in stature and importance amid an explosion in online news, a report suggests.

Mastheads have not been cannibalised by their websites. Instead, they offer complementary usage throughout the day, making them harmonious rather than competing platforms, according to a report commissioned by The Newspaper Works.

The organisation is a non-profit body set up to promote the newspaper industry.

"Printed and online newspapers complement each other and have strengthened the relationship between readers and newspaper brands," The Newspaper Works chief executive Tony Hale said in a statement. "Predictions in recent times by some commentators about the imminent death of printed newspapers at the hands of their websites have been proven wrong."

The report said printed newspapers and their websites had distinct roles.

"Newspapers provide a considered mind-expanding read while newspaper websites 'scratch the news itch'," the report said.

Newspapers and their websites were the most reputable source of news for 51 per cent of respondents.

The next highest response was newspapers on their own, at 37 per cent, while free-to-air television was third on 28 per cent.

Magazines received the lowest response at 4 per cent.

"I don't believe what I hear in the media or see on the internet until I read it in print," one respondent told the report.

While credibility and trust begins with the masthead, the report said that it appeared to be extending to newspaper websites as well.

Hale said the reputation of newspapers had been enhanced in the digital age.

"By evolving, newspapers have carved out a stronger and more relevant position in the modern media landscape," Hale said.

The report canvassed the views of 1029 Australians aged 14 to 69 and was conducted between January 30 and February 6 last year by Celsius Research.

It was the second such report, with the first undertaken two years ago.

- AAP