Newspapers are in the business of story telling, and this book is a story about the newspapers of New Jersey. In a microcosm, the daily and community newspapers of the Garden State present a wonderful opportunity to examine in vivid detail the rich history, the past challenges and the future transformations confronting the newspaper industry both in New Jersey and throughout the United States. This is particularly true as newspapers nationally seek to reinvent themselves in this 21st century age of the Internet and newer media. — From the introduction to Jerome Aumente’s “From Ink on Paper to the Internet”
Jerome Aumente’s book not only explores the history of New Jersey’s daily and weekly newspapers but traces the evolution of the newspaper industry from family businesses to chain ownership. In the process, Aumente assesses the competitive challenges that the newspaper industry faces in an era of the Internet and instant news.
Judges said, “At first blush, this well-researched book seems narrow in its approach. Upon reading Aumente’s work, however, the larger and more complex issue of the relationship between media and the Internet is revealed. An obvious labor of love, the research is thorough and well executed. A must-have for every journalist’s reading wish-list!”
Aumente, distinguished professor emeritus at Rutgers University, reacted to this Sigma Delta Chi award by saying it is “one that I will treasure the most because it is given by an organization whose members value everything important about journalism: integrity, quality, responsibility and flexibility in adapting to newer media without sacrificing the core content of journalism delivered with excellence and ethical responsibility.
“The book tells us that newspapers are a precious and unique part of our history, and their survival is so important to every tiny community, to the region, the nation and the world around us. We need not be afraid of change, and should welcome it.”
*Note: The book was written for the New Jersey Press Association to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the NJPA.
