Workers and Automation:The Impact of New Technology in the Newspaper Industry

The effect of machine on men at work has raised a debate that has now lasted for centuries. The productivity enhancing argument favouring a greater use of machines has constantly faced a vigorous counter-argument; focusing on degradation of work through constant deskilling entailing actual or potential redundancy of labour. Despite his euphoric experiences with nascent industrial capitalism, even Adam Smith could not overlook the degrading effect of machines over men.