Newspapers of record in a digital age

the long version

The expression "newspaper of record" is most often found among works by lawyers, historians, and librarians. Yet many newspapers are now developing online news products that do not correspond directly to the newsprint version. Many are asking whether online newspapers will replace traditional newsprint products and whether the online version can or should be treated as equal to the newsprint version. Martin and Hansen focus on some of the traditional uses of newspapers by groups who use the "newspaper of record" concept, and they compare traditional newspapers to online newspapers as "records." After a historical review, they examine legal and archival uses for newspapers, report on several case studies of online newspaper production, and conclude with suggestions for future scholarly, legal, and industry focus on the "newspaper of record" concept. This valuable analysis serves professionals in journalism and law as well as scholars and researchers in journalism and archive management.