Online Journalism

Case Study # 97469

Communication > Journalism
Communication > Mass Media
Computer and Technology > Internet

Online Journalism

A case study comparison of an online newspaper with its printed version.

4,567 words () | 7 sources | MLA | 2007 South Africa

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the theory and practice of online journalism. It presents a case study of online journalism and analyzes and compares an online newspaper with its paper edition. The paper focuses on the nature of online journalism and analyzes the role of the online journalist in the virtual newsroom. In addition, the paper analyzes online journalism by means of a comparison between the content of the online version to the paper edition of the same date. The paper also contains an example of an online newspaper and its printed version at the end of the paper.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Case Study: The Star
Newspapers
Newspaper Journalists
Technology in Newspaper Reporting
Online Newspapers
Comparison
Content
Focus of the Articles
Timeliness
Length
Advertisements
User Friendliness
Interactivity
Conclusion
Online Star Newspaper: 27 April 2007
Printed Version

From the Paper:

"When scrutinising advertisements in the two editions of the newspaper it is visible that the products and target markets were different based on the media being used. Despite that fact, advertisements are important to both versions of the newspaper. In terms of user friendliness, both newspaper versions have their problems and advantages, with the paper edition being part of a societal and historical habit, despite being more difficult to navigate compared to the electronic version. The electronic version tends to overcrowd the homepage, leading to confusion at times. Finally, interactivity is the element that best separates the two versions of newspaper that have been compared. The paper version is a classic that has been and will be around for a very long time; however, it cannot compete with the vast interactivity offered by the electronic version. Ultimately, online journalism adds a new and useful dimension to a profession that always has use for new forms of communication and information."

Sample of Sources Used:

Du Plooy, GM. 2001. Communication research: techniques, methods and applications. Lansdowne: Juta.
Faure, C. 1996b. The press and new information technology, an introduction to communication: journalism, press and radio studies, edited by LM Oosthuizen. Cape Town: Juta.
Faure, C. 1998. Die era van papierlose koerante? Communicatio 24(2).
Fourie, PJ. 2001a. Media Studies. Volume 1: institutions, theories and issues. Cape Town: Juta.
Fourie, PJ. 2001b. Media Studies. Volume 2: content, audiences and production. Cape Town: Juta.