What is ‘Link Rot’ and why it matters

There’s a common myth that once something is on the internet, it’s there forever. But as journalists, content creators, and readers are learning the hard way, that’s not exactly true.

A March 2025 article from Poynter tackled the growing issue of “link rot”—the idea that digital content can (and often does) disappear. As outlets shut down or are absorbed through mergers and sales, their archives are vanishing too. Stories, photos, and work that once lived online are being lost—sometimes without warning.

Photographer and filmmaker Brandon Tauszik put it bluntly in the article:

“A publication could just go out of business and take down whatever content they want. Your writing is not permanent. Your photography is not permanent. Anything you’re putting online is short-lived and will probably vanish,” Tauszik said. “If I were to pass away tomorrow and my credit cards stopped, a lot of these projects of mine would just vanish, be gone for good and never come back.”

It’s a startling realization for many journalists who believed their bylines and work would live on. But this isn’t just a journalist’s problem—it’s a community problem.

Local newspapers have long served as the living memory of their towns. They document school milestones, city council debates, championship games, local heroes, and moments of heartbreak and resilience. Newspapers provide more than just headlines—they offer context, continuity, and a trusted format that communities rely on.

Of course, the media landscape is evolving. News is no longer consumed in just one format. People get their updates from print, TV, websites, apps, social media, and even YouTube. And newspapers must continue to adapt to this changing media diet.

But in adapting, we cannot afford to forget what has always set newspapers apart: great journalism and a commitment to accuracy, transparency, and community. In fact, it was back in 2014 that former Wall Street Journal editor David Ho said, “Newspapers will outlive websites.” To be clear, he wasn’t anti-technology. Quite the opposite. However, he did speak to the importance of print. 

“Newspapers have been around for about 400 years and they have a lot of staying power,” according to the article. “The people who like them really like them. People are beginning to understand something that we at the Journal figured out four years ago when we launched our iPad app. A finite self-containing non-updating content set still has value – the concept of the edition still matters, especially in a world of non-stop news.

“I think print will be with us for a very long time.” 

There’s research to back up the importance of local papers. Communities with newspapers tend to have lower taxes, more efficient local government spending, better-performing schools, and healthier civic engagement. Those aren’t just statistics—they’re signs of a well-informed, connected, and resilient community.

Supporting your local newspaper isn’t just about getting the news—it’s about ensuring the stories of your community don’t disappear. Residents can help by subscribing, reading, sharing stories responsibly, and crediting journalists when posting articles online.

And it's not just up to readers—businesses and government entities also have a role to play. As more public records, press releases, and announcements are hosted online, the issue of link rot becomes a public accountability concern.

Ensuring long-term access to these resources must be part of the digital strategy.
In a world where digital links vanish with the flick of a switch, newspapers still offer something solid, lasting, and real.

Let’s make sure that living history doesn’t fade away.