I once worked for Knight-Ridder Newspapers, Inc. for 9 years and I'm a Kansas State University Journalism School grad. I'm not a photog. I think my pic postings on this site, confirm that
. My degree is in Public Relations/Advertising and with a minor in marketing. I'm a sales guy. I'm no longer in the newspaper business. I got out in '98. Newspapers are becoming dinosaurs, for many reasons, including the internet. That's another subject, which many books have been written on. I will say that there might be a shift or trend of photographers moving toward one brand of camera over another.
To really find out why, one would have to seek out young photogs at the J-school level, because I know that old photogs become loyal to a specific brand and usually stick with that brand for life. Plus, it's too expensive of a feat to switch brands, although I'm sure that some old-pro photogs have made that switch for various reasons. Most don't. Old newspaper photogs don't get sucked into Nikon and Canon marketing to the point of just suddenly switching brands. I can't speak for the commercial photog who shoots weddings and graduation portraits, but I know newspaper photogs and how they tend to think.
There was a time when newspapers offered a monthly equipment allowance to assist with maintenance and acquisition of new camera equipment. I really doubt that many newspapers are still doing that, due to lost revenue streams that newspapers are experiencing. As they say, "Those were the good ole days." I would think that the shift of camera brands often occurs at the most elementary levels. Young photojournalism students are probably the source of brand change in photojournalism. Besides, we all know that younger people are more susceptible to marketing influence. I now work in the veterinary industry. The company I work for, goes after student veterinarians.
We attempt to establish brand loyalty at the most basic level -- while they're still in school and impressionable. Perhaps, Canon and Nikon are doing that. I don't know for sure, and if they're not, maybe they should be. It's easier to prevent a habit from occurring before it becomes a habit, than it is to break or change a well-established habit. Just a little food for thought . . .