The Internet is one of the key aspects of modern society. The World Wide Web has a huge impact on human life, because for him it is the main means of communication with the world around him. Today, the Network performs not only the function of communication, but also the function of mass information, which made it possible to single out a separate group called Internet media. This concept deserves detailed consideration.
Discussions about the Internet as a Media
The media is associated with a third power. Recently, some experts are increasingly calling the relatively new branch of journalism, Internet media - the fourth power. However, this point of view gives rise to numerous disputes and disputes.
The very definition of the world network as a media is ambiguous. It is supported by specialists alone, because the Internet has the main characteristics of the media: general accessibility and mass distribution of relevant and relevant information. In this regard, the global network is far ahead of other communication channels. However, others perceive this definition as erroneous. This opinion, first of all, arises due to the lack of distinctive features of the print media: the frequency of publication, circulation, distribution, a certain name. There are no such concepts on the Web.
There are also some problems in the legal definition of the world wide web as the media. In particular, this problem is very relevant for the Internet media in Russia. Indeed, there are billions of sites on the World Wide Web, information on which is socially significant to one degree or another. Such a huge amount of diverse material confuses the representatives of the law. Perhaps this is why the legal registration of a network resource, such as the media, in Russian law is voluntary.
The reason for the contradictions is the same: the Internet is identified with the already known types of media, while this is a fundamentally different way of transmitting information in which completely different principles and laws work.
"Bifurcation" of the media
The following categories of media are distinguished in journalistic theory:
- Print media;
- Broadcasting;
- A television.
That was before the advent of the Internet. With its emergence and rapid spread, another relevant category was added to this list, because journalism appreciated the potential and prospects of a global technological breakthrough. Due to the novelty and unique features of the global network, the media conditionally “split” into two groups. All previously known types of mass dissemination of information are now called "traditional." The Internet is the newest medium for the emergence and development of world ideas, ideologies, opinions, as well as modern Internet media. In his arsenal are other modernized tools for broadcasting news and conducting propaganda.
Definition of Online Media
What are the media on the global web? Online media are sites or authoring projects with a relatively large audience of readers, the content of which is constantly updated and relates to a socially significant journalistic product. This definition is suitable for almost every network resource. However, the Internet is more likely seen as a platform through which other types of media can disseminate information. Therefore, you should not assume that the entire Internet is the media. This is a multifaceted communication channel through which the audience learns about current events.
Distinctive features of online media
Information sites are often compared with the press and give them signs of this traditional look. Of course, this is a big mistake, because the features of the Internet media are unique.
If any printed publication with a permanent name and circulation of more than 1000 copies appears on store shelves more than once a year, such a publication can be considered a media outlet. What characteristics make it possible to attribute Internet resources to the media?
Firstly, the frequency here is replaced by such a concept as the frequency of updating the content. Each new issue of a printed publication indicates how often this publication provides its readers with new information (daily, once a week, month, etc.). Internet resources are updated much more often, for example, several times a day, as new information is received.
Secondly, the address of the site itself appears as a permanent name in electronic Internet media. Orientation in the diversity of the press helps their names, and you can go to a particular network resource by its link.
Thirdly, under the traditional concept of circulation in this case, it is worth considering the average number of site views per day. This number indicates the popularity of an Internet publication.
Fourth, such a key concept for print media as the “current issue” in the case of the global network is not applicable at all. There is no fresh issue or issue in Internet publications, the information in them is updated randomly, without a specific schedule.
Varieties of Online Media
Types of online media are classified according to several criteria. First of all, there are two large groups:
- online options for traditional media options;
- independent Internet resources.
Today, a huge number of traditional media has its own website. Current news on it can be completely duplicated, such pages are called “clones”. There are also “hybrids” in the network: the information on them is not identical to the source, it is modified and taught differently. Such media belong to the first group, since they are a kind of analogue of a certain print publication, radio or television channel.
As the network developed, more and more online resources that exist only on the Internet began to appear. This is the second type of online media.
It is possible to classify according to other characteristics, for example:
- By thematic focus - network media can publish information of a political, economic, cognitive, analytical or entertaining nature;
- By type of audience - Internet publications can focus on the whole public or only on a certain group of people;
- By the frequency of updating information - different resources are updated at different frequencies;
- By the quality of content, sites either create their own, unique content, or collect and compose information from other sources.
Comparison of traditional and online media
New technologies have brought many changes to the organization of media. What exactly has changed and on what grounds are the new and old media compared?
Practicality
First of all, in the Internet media readers are attracted by the convenience of their use. In a few minutes, you can view articles from several online publications. It will be a little more difficult to compare information from various sources with a pile of newspapers and magazines. From here one more difference follows: a high level of mobility of Internet media. You can read the news on the network anywhere and anytime, just have a smartphone or tablet with Internet access. In addition, many online publications create mobile applications for even greater viewing convenience.
Fast reaction
A distinctive feature of network media is also the speed of providing new information. Readers of online publications can learn about the event literally minutes after it happened. Information on news sites is updated every minute, which allows their audience to always be aware of the latest incidents.
Multimedia
Web pages are multimedia. The same information can simultaneously be presented in several forms: in text, sound, visual, etc. Articles on sites can also be supplemented with hyperlinks, that is, links to additional material that reveals the main text. Information thus becomes more accurate and complete.
Ability to select information
On the Internet it is possible to quickly find the necessary material. To do this, just enter certain keywords in the search bar, and the article of interest will instantly appear on the page (with high speed Internet, of course).
Interactivity
The differences between the two media groups are also in the possibilities of feedback. There are a variety of chat rooms and forums on the Internet where readers can express their opinions online. At the end of the article there is usually a field for comments. So users can see what others think about this. Such responsiveness is definitely not typical of traditional media, because readers' letters are analyzed for a relatively longer time, and sometimes they do not reach the recipient or are completely ignored.
Monitoring
The technological advantages of the network are endless. Using the Internet it is possible not only to deliver information to the masses, but also to analyze how this information is useful to society. In order to conduct surveys, traditional media will require a considerable amount of time and money. Online questioning has significantly accelerated this process. In this way, in a couple of days it is possible to collect statistics about readers: their characteristics, interests, frequency of viewing this or that information. Analysis helps to improve the content, adjust it to the requirements of the audience.
Common features
Old and new broadcast channels have common ground. The information material published on them is the result of the work of a huge number of journalists, editors, proofreaders and other employees in this field. Therefore, the structure of articles is the same.
Prospects for the development of Internet media
The future of the Web is multifaceted, as is itself. In its structure, Internet media is a combination of all possible types of traditional media. Of course, it cannot be argued that the World Wide Web will completely absorb the press, radio and television. However, the fact remains: the Network is gradually pushing traditional media into the background. Journalists spend more time working with online media.
Internet Media Audience
Today, the vast majority of people prefer Internet media resources to their traditional counterparts. After all, the information on the Web is always multimedia and relevant. Russian statistics formed a portrait of a typical Internet media reader. These are young people aged 16-34: students or specialists in the field of education, public administration, finance, management, advertising and journalism. In most cases, their income level is above average.
Analysts are also interested in how readers get to a particular site. Many simply enter a question of interest in the search bar. Others use the link from another page. And only a few specially go to news sites to get the latest information.
