Question

both newspaper journalists and postal workers have been negatively affected by
the popularity of electronic communication and the internet.
declining literacy rates and lack of interest in reading.
government budget cuts that led to fewer jobs in these fields.
competition with cheaper labor performed by overseas workers.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: The popularity of electronic communication (like email, social media) and the Internet has reduced the need for traditional newspaper journalism (as people get news online) and postal services (as people communicate electronically). This makes sense for both professions.
• Option 2: Declining literacy rates and lack of reading interest would mainly affect journalists, not postal workers, so this is not a shared factor.
• Option 3: Government budget cuts are not a primary shared reason for both professions' decline; their issues are more related to technological shifts.
• Option 4: Competition with overseas labor is not a key factor for either newspaper journalists (content - based, not easily outsourced) or postal workers (local delivery - based) in the same way as technological change.

Answer:

the popularity of electronic communication and the Internet.