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
Media is associated with the third power. Recently, some experts are increasingly calling a 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 global network as mass media is ambiguous. It is supported by only specialists, because the Internet has the main characteristics of the media: general accessibility and mass dissemination of relevant and significant 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 from the lack of distinctivesigns of print media: the frequency of release, circulation, distribution, a specific name. There are no such concepts on the Web.
There are also some problems in the legal definition of the world wide web as a media. In particular, this problem is very relevant for the Internet media in Russia. After all, there are billions of sites on the World Wide Web, the information on which is socially significant to one degree or another. Such a huge amount of diverse material leads representatives of the law into confusion. Perhaps that is why the legal registration of a particular network resource as a mass media in Russian law is voluntary.
The reason for the contradictions is the same: the Internet is identified with already known types of media, while this is a fundamentally different way of transmitting information, in which completely different principles and laws work.
Media bifurcation
The following categories of media are distinguished in journalistic theory:
- Printed publications;
- Broadcast;
- Television.
This was before the advent of the Internet. With its emergence and rapid spread, another relevant category has been added to this list, because journalism has appreciated the possibilities and prospects of a global technological breakthrough. In view of 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 latest environment for the emergence and development of worldideas, ideologies, opinions, as well as modern Internet media. It has other modernized tools for broadcasting news and conducting propaganda in its arsenal.
Internet Media Definition
What is the media on the global web? Internet media are sites or author's projects with a relatively large audience of readers, the content of which is constantly updated and refers to a socially significant journalistic product. This definition fits almost every network resource. However, the Internet is more likely to be seen as a platform through which other types of media can disseminate information. Therefore, do not assume that the entire Internet is the media. This is a multifaceted communication channel through which the audience learns about current events.
Distinguishing features of online media
Information sites are often compared to the press and given the attributes of this traditional kind. Of course, this is a big mistake, because the features of Internet media are distinguished by their uniqueness.
If any printed publication with a permanent title and a circulation of more than 1000 copies appears on store shelves more than once a year, such a publication can be considered a mass media. What characteristics make it possible to classify Internet resources as mass media?
Firstly, periodicity is replaced by such a concept as the frequency of content updates. Each new issue of a printed publication indicates how often that publication provides itsreaders new information (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.). Online resources are updated much more frequently, for example, several times a day, as new information becomes available.
Secondly, the address of the site itself appears as a permanent name in the electronic Internet media. Their names help to navigate the diversity of the press, and you can go to a particular network resource by clicking on 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 a particular online publication.
Fourthly, such a key concept for print media as "current number" in the case of the worldwide network is not applicable at all. There is no recent issue or issue in Internet publications, information in them is updated randomly, without a specific schedule.
Varieties of Online Media
Types of Internet media are classified according to several criteria. First of all, two large groups are distinguished:
- network variants of traditional media variants;
- independent Internet resources.
Today, a huge number of traditional media have their own website. Current news on it can be completely duplicated, such pages are called "clones". There are also “hybrids” on the net: 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 media, radio or TV channel.
As the web has evolved, more and more online resources have emerged that only exist on the Internet. This is the second type of online media.
It is possible to classify according to other criteria, for example:
- By thematic focus - online media can publish information of a political, economic, educational, analytical or entertainment nature;
- By type of audience - Online publications can target the entire public or only a certain group of people;
- By the frequency of information updates - different resources are updated at different frequencies;
- In terms of content quality - sites either create their own, unique content, or collect and compile information from other sources.
Comparison of traditional and Internet media
New technologies have brought many changes to the organization of media. What exactly has changed and how are new and old media compared?
Practicality
First of all, in 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 different sources with a pile of newspapers and magazines. This implies another difference: the high level of mobility of the Internet media. You can read news online anywhere and anytime, you just need to have a smartphone or tablet with Internet access. In addition, many online publications are creating mobile applications for even more convenient viewing.
Quick response
Distinctivea feature of network media is also the efficiency of providing new information. Readers of Internet publications can learn about the event just 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
Multimedia web pages. The same information can be simultaneously presented in several forms: in text, sound, visual, etc. Articles on websites can also be supplemented with hyperlinks, that is, links to additional material that reveals the main text. Information thus becomes more accurate and complete.
The 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 Internet speed, of course).
Interactivity
The differences between the two media groups also lie in the possibilities for feedback. There are various chat rooms and forums on the Internet where readers can express their opinions online. There is usually a comment box at the end of the article. So users can see what others think about it. Such efficiency is definitely not typical for traditional media, because readers' letters are analyzed for a relatively long time, and sometimes they do not reach the recipient or are completely ignored.
Monitoring
The technological advantages of the web are endless. WithWith the help of 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 money and time. Online survey allowed to significantly speed up 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
The old and new broadcasting channels also 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 their articles is the same.
Prospects for the development of Internet media
The future of the Web is as multifaceted as it is. In its structure, Internet media is an amalgamation 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 that the Web 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, information on the Web is multimedia and always relevant. Russian statistics formed a portrait of a typical Internet media reader. These are young people aged 16-34: studentsor professionals in education, public administration, finance, management, advertising, and journalism. In most cases, their income is above average.
Analysts are also interested in how readers get to a particular site. Many simply enter the question of interest in the search bar. Others use a link from another page. And only a few specifically go to news sites to get the latest information.
Popular Resources
The following are the most popular domestic examples of online media:
- Lenta.ru;
- RIA Novosti;
- News agency "ITAR-TASS";
- RBC news agency;
- Information resource "News Mail.ru";
- Online newspaper "Dni. Ru".
Information today is a valuable resource, so a huge number of online publications and news agencies are actively fighting for the right to possess and provide.
