Article Content: Discussion on various subjects
In just five weeks, the final printed edition of a left-wing weekly newspaper will appear. Known for its voice, stance, and special view of the world, it has been a staple at newsstands every Saturday and by subscription. The daily work on the printed newspaper, however, has become an anachronistic madness.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the US President is currently attacking the New York Times, the most important newspaper in the world. The President has sued the Times for $15 billion in damages, aiming to intimidate and discredit it. This attack is more threatening than the question of whether a newspaper appears in print.
The creeping decline of daily newspapers is causing a loss of the time-witnessing function they once provided. In the novel "Jahrestage" by Uwe Johnson, this decline is reflected as the heroine, Gesine Cresspahl, attempts to find order in the world through daily reading of the news. The text is from the newspaper's website, which will continue to be printed after the final edition, but will appear exclusively digitally in the future.
"Jahrestage" is a unique novel that includes a precise description of the rise of the Nazis in Mecklenburg, a portrait of New York in 1968, and a wonderful mother-daughter story. It is also a love declaration to a daily newspaper. The novel incorporates daily news from the New York Times as a narrative device, juxtaposing various news topics that do not result in order, but the attempt is significant.
The last printed issue of "Das Feuilleton" will appear on November 21, 2025. With the burden of print removed, the website can hopefully be more up-to-date and more rested. More people read the website on digital channels compared to the printed newspaper, a trend that is likely to continue in the future.
The freedom of the press is being threatened by the US President's attacks on the New York Times. As we bid farewell to the printed edition of this left-wing weekly newspaper, it serves as a reminder of the importance of a free and independent press in our society.
