I found this article on the Fox News Latino website, and it describes a trend in media that we may continue to see as the Latino population of the United States increases.
The article states that English-language "dailies," presumably newspapers, experienced a five percent decrease in circulation from 2009 to 2010. At the same time, Spanish-language "dailies" in the United States experienced a modest 1.9 percent increase. The article went on to display the other positive trends in Spanish-language based media in the U.S.
I think that there's a few interesting things going on here. First of all, as the Latino population of the United States increases, the need for more Spanish-language based media increases. Although it has been known for a long time that the Latino population is rapidly increasing in the United States, this article shows that there is an increasing demand for Spanish-language based media. It could lead to an even greater importance being placed on the Spanish language in the United States.
Also, this article brings out the point that for most, if not all, of the population, newspapers are suffering. The article does not point out the increase in Latino population, but it is easy to speculate that the circulation of Spanish-language newspapers in the U.S. is declining per person. As we have known, this is a trend that we expect to continue, with more Americans turning to the Internet as a form of written news. The main players in the newspaper industry (e.g. New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post) may continue to experience some success in print media, and an increasing success in online news. However, small town print publications are more than likely a thing of the past as the shift to online media continues.
Great summary and analysis, Brett! You're right that newspapers are suffering, and trying to figure out ways to survive in an environment that's becoming increasingly hostile. Your point about the increase in the Latino population leading to increases in Spanish-language media--with relative frequency, it seems, Univision and Telemundo will beat other broadcasters like the CW and occasionally NBC in the ratings--that would've been unthinkable even 5 years ago! Both of these topics are worth keeping an eye on!
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