Music journalism has over recent years taken form over new platforms, namely the transition from not only print but to online publications as well. For many magazines having just a print version is not enough and to keep up with the demands of a new generation and the growth of technology, there are many online sites that are now dedicated to the online version of publications.
There are some obvious differences between online and print journalism, the platform itself sometimes determines what can and cannot be included within the separate types of publication.
Online journalism can have an infinite number of pages, there is no real set limit as the web can hold more information and it is cheaper to create web pages than to print them, within these pages the information is generally more condensed, a shorter or more concise article may be published “People read 30% more slowly off the computer screen than off paper. And they read less carefully – scanning. You need to convince readers you’re good – and do it quick - to get them to stick. (www.national union of journalists – Paris) the amount of content within online journalism is main difference as the bulk of the news is held at the hub or home page where the attention of the audience needs to be sustained. The separate pages are usually small, 150 to 200 word reviews or features that act as a taster of the magazine.
Interactivity is also a big difference between the two mediums, with the nature of online journalism and websites allowing for fast and easily accessible audience/reader participation. With print journalism the idea is still continued but it a remarkably different fashion “A well-known means for feedback, especially in print journalism, is the Letters to the Editor section. Readers usually write letters as a reaction to media messages. The communication remains reactive, however, not unless journalists or other readers (in subsequent letters) respond to the initial communication.” (T. Schultz, 1999) Therefore online journalism offers a greater level of interactivity with the reader as it is instant and accessible.
Another difference is the structure of the content and the way in which it is read. With print journalism the reader can actually hold the information whereas the information online is virtual, this may alter the way in which the content is taken in:
“Printed newspapers are known to widen the range of public topics, events and issues their audience is aware of. There are reasons to assume that their online counterparts help increase their audience’s perceived agenda to a lesser extent. The way print newspapers are structured and used is supposed to lure readers into reading stories they may not have been interested in beforehand. Online papers support more activity and control by their users; becoming aware of a narrower range of topics according to one’s individual interests is more plausible.” (K. Schonbach et al, 2005, Chapter 4)
Lastly the layout of print and online journalism differs somewhat, print is only able to be designed in a way that fits to paper, something that can be folded up and looked at time and time again, the general layout of a print copy is columns of writing with fixed images and headline, sub headings and pull out quotes. Whereas the online copy can afford to change this layout to some extent “...the layout and design are key elements for presenting that information, and all media for any photo, video and audio elements that accompany an article.” (Ferguson, 2005, pg48) online journalism is able to incorporate a variety of extra features such as moving images and videos that could not be found within the print publication.
Bibliography:
Ferguson, Journalism, Infobase Publishing, 2005, pg 48
K. Schonbach et al, Online and print newspapers : their impacts on the extent of the perceived public agenda, 2005, Chapter 4
T. Schultz, Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, 1999, Wiley-online library.
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