The article argues that traditional media outlets did not just lose their readership but actively drove them away by failing to adapt to the changing media landscape. Despite the growing demand for news in text form, platforms have struggled to create lasting loyalty among subscribers. This is attributed to various factors, including a lack of trust and relevance in the content provided by legacy media.

The author references the late journalist Michael Kelly, who believed that journalism should be seen as a craft rather than a profession. Kelly’s insights highlight the accessibility of journalism and the explosion of opportunities that arose with the advent of the internet. However, the argument emphasizes that simply producing news is not enough to retain audiences; quality and credibility are critical in an age where every individual with a platform can claim to be a journalist.

Ultimately, the piece suggests that in order to build a loyal reader base, legacy media organizations need to reevaluate their strategies, focus on trustworthiness, and enhance the value of their content. The issues faced by legacy media have broader implications for the future of journalism and the media landscape, as it contends with the rise of new digital platforms and their changing audience demands.