Sustainability of the Black Press as Social Justice: A Digital Technology Gap Study

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) has a total membership of 157 - publications aimed at the African-American community in the United States. There is currently no research on how these publications have adopted the technology over time or whether the adoption of new media contributes to their growth and survival in the publishing industry. In Florida, The Weekly Challenger, the Daytona Times and the Florida Courier, three of the 13 historic newspapers, are connected in history and structure and show different types of survival methods. How have these publications adopted the technology over time? What kinds of trends are reflected in these newspapers? What challenges are faced by black community weeklies? To answer these questions, the authors conducted case studies using participant observation, lengthy interviews, historical research, and qualitative questionnaires. A significant finding of this research demonstrates the difficulty in getting answers, due to the suspicion and intimidation of the target audience. These publications struggle with a reduced workforce that lacks professional and technical training and must perform multiple roles. The results also show that 14 of the newspapers listed as current members of the NNPA are not currently in circulation and that the pattern of adoption of the publications is not planned, but a consequence of availability and chance. due to suspicion and intimidation of the target audience. These publications struggle with a reduced workforce that lacks professional and technical training and must perform multiple roles. The results also show that 14 of the newspapers listed as current members of the NNPA are not currently in circulation and that the pattern of adoption of the publications is not planned, but a consequence of availability and chance. due to suspicion and intimidation of the target audience. These publications struggle with a reduced workforce that lacks professional and technical training and must perform multiple roles. The results also show that 14 of the newspapers listed as current members of the NNPA are not currently in circulation and that the pattern of adoption of the publications is not planned, but a consequence of availability and chance