Recently, when I went to the offices of public agencies to do paperwork, I found that many newspaper reading rooms were no longer there.
Some might say that in the age of the Internet, everyone gets their news online and therefore, it is unnecessary to subscribe to printed newspapers and keep the reading rooms.
Some offices do not want people come to their offices to read newspapers either.
This has happened to me before. After some public servants found out that I was in their office only to read the newspapers, they expressed a sense of contempt.
Some might say that if people want to read printed newspapers, it is not that difficult to buy a copy themselves.
Of course I am willing to spend a small amount of money on a newspaper, but I would also like to read multiple newspapers.
Upon hearing my reason, some might suggest that I go to the library.
The problem is that libraries provide only one copy of each newspaper. Many have to line up for a particular newspaper.
Besides, there are fewer libraries than there are public agency offices.
Post offices, banks and hospitals used to provide newspapers. It is unfortunate that more and more newspaper reading rooms are being removed.
Printed newspapers still have some advantages that the Internet cannot offer.
First of all, information and advertisements in printed newspapers are screened at several levels, whereas information on the Internet is messy and full of fake news. They are a more reliable source for those who are not tech-savvy.
Printed newspapers are also a good platform for job searching. Nowadays, people could easily post fake job ads on the Internet. Meanwhile, to publish an ad in a newspaper, people have to provide a copy of their ID and pay a certain amount of money. All ads are then screened by newspaper editors. If the content is inappropriate, the ad would not get published.
I would not say that all job information in printed newspapers have no problems. However, it is still safer than looking for jobs on the Internet.
People today turn to the Internet to increase their job opportunities, but many still count on printed newspapers to find a suitable job. I often see people checking job ads in newspapers.
Many information — social, commercial, political and healthcare, to name a few — could be found in printed newspapers so this also serves as a platform for spreading information about entertainment activities and art events.
Newspapers also provide us with supplements that enrich our lives and minds.
The cost of a printed newspaper is about that of a tea egg from 7-Eleven, but the former is a lot more valuable than the latter.
In Taiwan, we live in prosperity and pay taxes for the government to improve our society. A great number of banks make great profits every year, but they are reluctant to pay for a copy of a printed newspaper.
Is that not absurd?
In northern European countries, people enjoy their welfare system to the fullest.
Their governments spend money on building sports centers and offering free educational courses.
Middle-aged and elderly people are encouraged to participate in outdoor activities and devote themselves to spiritual growth.
Their governments want them to live happily and healthily, so that medical expenditures could be lowered and social problems reduced.
A mere newspaper could contribute to the happiness of many, but in Taiwan, public agencies want to save that small amount of money and refuse to let the public spend time and read in their offices.
I believe that as long as a newspaper is there, people would seize the opportunity to read it. Even if only a few people would do that, it would still worthwhile.
Readers would be able to access accurate knowledge and information, rather than being misguided by online fake news. They might also spread the correct information and circulate it more extensively.
Official agencies should preserve the tradition of purchasing newspapers and letting the public read them in their offices.
The government should also encourage people to read more newspapers.
Non-governmental organizations should also keep newspaper reading rooms and welcome people to enjoy the service.
For banks, those newspaper readers might even become your clients.
Jimmy Hsu is a farmer.
Translated by Emma Liu
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