The end of the newspaper

Last week the Rocky Mountain News folded. It shut down just 55 days short of its 150th birthday. There was nothing special about this paper, just its service to the Denver, Colorado area for so many years.

The New York Times has said that it will not be able to go on for long, in a situation where the cost of getting the paper to its million subscribers is over 600 million dollars. 

Is this the end of the printed press? If so, will it be missed?

I have heard it said that the newspaper simply has to go along with the times and go 100% digital on the web. Maybe, but is the web going to be able to raise enough money via paid ads to maintain the traditional newsroom? I don´t think so, and then, my last question for today: 

Who will pay for the investigative reporters who uncover scandals and corruption among our politicians?

I believe that a free and powerful press is essential to democratic government. If the current trend prevails, I think we shall have to do without it and then, who will control officials in our system?