A new Rasmussen Report says that 40 percent of American adults think the Internet is the go-to source for news and information in today’s world while traditional print outlets have plummeted (LINK).

Keep in mind, the survey targeted adults.  The results would likely be even more dismal for newspapers if a younger demographic was surveyed.

The Internet edged out television, which came in second at 37 percent.  However, TV news still comes out on top for reliability, with 36 percent saying that broadcast news is the most reliable source of news, while the Internet trails with 29% saying it is the most reliable.

Radio finished at just 9 percent and newspapers were even lower at 7 percent.

A further indication that traditional, legacy media outlets such as the Kansas City Star—which recently announced another round of layoffs—is losing control of the information flow is that two-thirds have some level of confidence that if “many newspapers go out of business” other news outlets will provide news and information people want to know. In fact one-third are very confident they will still get the news they are interested in if many newspapers go out of business (LINK).

The survey is right on target with the a recent report that newspaper ad revenue has dropped to 1950′s levels. Even figuring in the online outlets of print media, revenue from print advertising has taken a nose-dive.

“Five years ago, 30% viewed the Internet as the best way to get news and information, while 37% relied most on television. Print newspapers and radio were considered the best ways to get news and information by 14% and 13%.”

National Survey of 1,000 Adults Conducted September 12-13, 2012 By Rasmussen Reports

1* What is the best way to get news and information in today’s world… the Internet, print newspapers, radio or television?

2* Which is a more reliable source of credible news information— newspapers, broadcast news or the Internet?

3* If many newspapers go out of business, how confident are you that online and other news sources will make up the difference and report on things that people want to know about?

NOTE: Margin of Sampling Error, +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence