Newspaper founded in 1645 to become Web-only

PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP

The world's oldest continuously-operating newspaper, Post-och Inrikes Tidningar, is dropping its dead-tree edition and going exclusively digital. (Judging by their spartan website, I'd say they're in a heap of trouble.) The paper had long since ceased to be a real force in Swedish journalism (I mean, it's no Aftonbladet). So, in and of itself, it's no big loss.

Of course, the larger trend of newspapers struggling to make ends meet is worrisome. With the rise of the Web, news has become a commodity, and information consumers have more choices than ever. And people who want to sell their junk or rent their property don't need the classifieds section anymore—there's eBay and craigslist. If newspapers don't figure out how to adapt soon, my dystopian media nightmare could become a reality. It's not hard to imagine a future limited to colorless wire stories, Doppler radar flyovers, and 24/7 manhunts for missing teenagers.