Regardless of the way that we get the news whether it be off
the web or off a hard copy (news paper) it is still the same news. Looking at The Oregonian for Tuesday November 6th, some of the topics on the front page (print) are about the
fraudulent ballots up in Clackamas county with a picture of people on the sidewalk holding picket type signs, or the 23 year old girl involved in
an elaborate hit and run cover up with a picture of her in court crying. Or news about which candidate is going to do
what with a simple picture of the two candidates. On the web there are similar stories looking at election topics, protests
against police and their use of less than lethal forces. For the most part the stories are the same from the web to the paper when pulling up the home page and looking at the front page.The difference however seemed to be in the advertisements. Bottom line, news is
news! The paper edition looks just like every other type of paper with a big
picture placed below bold headlines followed with a little writing to give you
an idea about what the picture is about. On the web it’s a little different.
Their website is similar to many other online sites as far as their navigation
links up at the top, but they have pictures with clever lines written under
them to catch your attention. Naturally because the web is unlimited in its
space the pictures can be larger and the text can be different (size/style).
You will also find advertisement in both formats, but what is advertised is
different from one to the other. The paper seems to advertise more towards the
older generation (not that I’m stereotyping) with products like wine,
advertisements regarding donations from clothes to cars, home power equipment
and home building/remodeling supplies. While on the web you will find
advertisements like Dominos Pizza, Jimmy Johns, Les Schwab, DeVry University,
and even credit unions. It seems that the web is focusing more on what the
younger generation might be into.
I chose to focus on this paper because it is a local (Oregon)
publication that focuses its attention towards local news stories first. However, it is a larger paper (Portland area), which means it is still focused on larger topics that some of the smaller papers may not focus its attention on. It
also has national news and international news, but in different sections. I must admit though that I am not an avid reader of the Oregonian, I actually don't read papers at all. I usually catch the news from social interactions, then if something catches my attention then I look it up. The
big differences are the fact that on the print, everything being printed is in
place permanently vs. the web that is forever changing. The quality of the
pictures is lost somewhat on print where as on the web they are better quality
as well as access to more pictures. And the best for last! The web is always
updating with up to date topics and news stories where the paper version is the
same all day long!
I think the primary target of the printed paper is definitely
the older generations who set time aside to read the paper (or just have extra
time). On the web, I think it focuses its attention on the younger generation
who uses mobile devices to get their information. There is even a mobile app! I chose to download the one for my ipad, and it works pretty well. News stories are arranged in a tile fashion with pictures pertaining to the story. It is very easy to navigate, however it didn't have a search function. This also is focused towards
the business minded individual who is always on the go. Therefore I would have
to say the primary target is anyone who wishes to know what’s going on!
Ironically the ads on the printed paper do seem to be placed close to articles
that may require or necessitate the need for the product. On the printed paper
there’s an article about the east coast being hit by yet another devastating
storm…and right below that a cell phone ad saying “lifeline service from
AT&T mobility”. There’s even an article about multi-vitamins and their
ability to help with cardiac problems being false placed right next to an ad
for wine on sale. I find this ironic because there are studies showing that those who drink light to moderate amounts of wine per week are less likely to have a heart disease than those who don't. The web seems to be somewhat similar because on the business
page it advertises Universities, while on the sports page it’s about food and
hotels and on the entertainment page it advertises clothing. There are no
direct offensive messages, but if you look at it there is some stereotyping
going on with the advertisements like the dress advertisement on the
entertainment page assuming that those who are reading the entertainment are going to be buying dresses, or at least interested in buying a dress. It just makes it seem like those who read the entertainment section are women who dress shop. Why not advertise for a new TV, or a movie that is hitting theaters this weekend?
I think the print version has its strength in the fact that
it’s printed, which is good because the fact that it was printed means it has
its place in history as being unique and exact. It will forever be that edition
and that volume. It also has a strength in the fact that its organized based
off of what “professionals” feel is important. Some people like the fact that
they can open it up to the front page and find some of the most news breaking
stories without having to navigate the web. An example of this is the
presidential election results. You don’t want to have to dig through pages of
paper to find out the results, they’re going to be right on the front page
because that is considered breaking and important news. This can also be a
weakness though for people who are only after a particular story or topic. If
you don’t have the ability to search a paper using key words it can make it
difficult to navigate. Another weakness is the papers limited space. There is
only so much information that is able to be printed, so your neighbor’s story
about the Christmas lighting show may not make it…
On the flip side to the print, the web versions have their
strengths and weakness too. I like the fact that the web version is so vast;
there is limitless space to publish articles, post letters to editors, and even
post pictures and videos. I think the key to this is the search function, the
ability to narrow down your results. Another strength of the web version is its
free!! Nothing is free anymore, which is why it’s so important. The fact that
you don’t have to dish out a dollar and a quarter to find out what’s going on
is pretty cool! There are some major drawbacks to the web version though…are
you prepared? In order to get the web version you must be tuned in
technologically. You must have equipment that you are able to navigate, as well
as a source of the World Wide Web. These components together create an amazing
experience, but a very large bill if you’re not careful. It can become
expensive to get this news as fast as it’s created. Another example of a
weakness the web has is that it enables us to become too attached to it. If we
are so dependent on the website for our news, we don’t support effective
communication to gather our news. It takes away from our nostalgic idea of
reading a news paper while drinking our coffee…OK, well maybe not the nostalgia but I have noticed a trend with technology. We can become so used to it that when we are presented with less than up to date technology, or slow speeds we can become irritated. Or at least this how I can become! I think in
today’s time and age the online version better suits the needs of the masses.
We are attached to our phones, computers and tablets by the hip which makes it
more fitting that we receive our news via these devices. I do think the printed
paper still has its place, but as time goes on we will see a transition from
news organizations printing paper to publishing on the web. Some other benefits
of both versions are sections like the classifieds, crossword and community
calendars. Every now and then I will look at their classified ads if I’m really
looking for something. You can even follow it on Twitter and Facebook.
In conclusion I think as of now the news papers still have
their place, but the web is slowly creeping in. For the most part, news will
always be the same news, just brought to you a bit differently. I think the
online version is more appealing to the younger crowd, but not limited. The
online version is always updating and for anyone who can keep up it’s a perfect
match. For those who like tradition and nostalgia go with slowly creeping in.
For the most part, news will always be the same news, just brought to you a bit
differently. I think the online version is more appealing to the younger crowd,
but not limited. The online version is always updating and for anyone who can
keep up it’s a perfect match. For those who like tradition and nostalgia go
with the print.
