Newspapers
Newspaper publishers are now favouring electronic publications because it offers virtually no limits on how much a journalist can write. As well, a journalist can offer a rich supplement of information accompanying each news story.
These are some of the reasons why the Calgary Herald and USA Today can be found publishing an electronic form of their newspaper. Unlike the paper edition, the electronic one only has the top stories of the day, and may keep a story on line for about a week or so before it is deleted (as in the case with the Herald). Other newspapers, like USA Today, update their page daily and doesn't keep day old news on line.
A major reason why newspapers don't publish the entire paper on line is that they will be "giving away what they sell". If people know they can read the entire paper on line, there is no reason for them to buy the paper version. another reason is current monitors are not a good way of reading, for it is too small, and the majority of people find reading the paper the old fashioned way still the best way.
Some advantages of newspaper being electronically published is that is can help in reducing the amount of paper consumed, you don't get the ink smudge all over your fingers, and the scope of the story can be expanded. For instance, the Herald is running an article about computers and how quick they are becoming obsolete. Within the story, they mention several chip manufacturers, like Intel. If you are unfamiliar with the computer world, the story has a link to Intel, so to get a better understanding of the story, one can find more information about Intel before going on. In other words, it gives the story more depth and meaning.
A drawback of newspaper being on line is that since they cover only the top stories, the reader does not get all the news that they wish. The reader may only get a perception of what is important in the eyes of the newspaper, and not to the reader.
An issue regarding newspaper publishers is of copyright. If the material is from the paper's staff, there is no problem. But, when the photos or stories are from freelance people, then the issue gets touchy. Some freelance journalists give the paper permission to print the story in paper form, but they do not provide permission for electronic form. To obtain the rights to print it in electronic form, the newspaper will have to pay extra. As well, should the freelance journalists be compensated if their article is reproduced electronically.
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Notes used in presentation. These are the notes used during the presentation.
References :
Calgary Herald.
Calgary's local newspaper.
Email response from : Calgary Herald.
Herald's point of view on electronic publishing.
USA Today.
USA's nat'l newspaper.
Wall Street Journal.
WARNING: This site is extremely hard to get in.
News on line about the stock exchange, stock information, and financial information.