The Romance lives on.
Before I began writing this review, I stopped for a few moments to visualize what it was like to read a newspaper as opposed to reading the news online. What are the first images that come to your mind when you think of your association with anything that is in print? Getting up early to catch the news paper boy to grab the article by R.Mohan on The Hindu on how Sachin’s century turned the whole match in India’s favor, while sipping the Red Label tea prepared by dear ol mummy. Or for that matter, spending time with the latest copy of India Today lazing on your bed munching the contents of an Uncle Chips bag. These are some moments that I still cherish looking back into. I am sure everyone has had some moments romancing with your favorite magazine or newspaper and these are valuable moments that we still cherish. The important question here is whether reading news is utilitarian or is there more to it than just knowing about things in general. There is certainly more to news than just knowing the facts and opinions, a certain something that still appeals to the romantic in me.
That having said, let us take some time to study the logistics in the current world. The present century rightfully classified as an information age leaves anyone who doesn’t have access to the right kind of information, in the dark. So what is the best bet to have every bit of of information at your finger tips? Is there a more powerful alternative to the net? The purists may argue that this approach boils down to mere utility leaving the romance behind reading subdued. But then, the purists have always been defensive about anything and everything that is a deviation from the norm. So what are the pros and cons about the net in general and news in particular. Is this really the future as far as news is concerned?
Accessibility:
India has approximately 5000 newspapers which are subscribed by about 60 million homes. In contrast, the country has about 4 million computers with about 7 million internet users. (Source: CIA World Factbook 2002) While the statistics across the world may vary, the ratio is definitely in favor of the print media. But there is one aspect that must be considered. The ratio is definitely closing in. While it might be too early to predict what the future holds, the fact is that the internet is expanding rapidly. However, given the current scenario, the online media is no match for its counterpart in print.
Cost of Access:
This is a debatable topic and the facts and figures may vary from place to place. In countries like India, where local calls are charged by the minute, it is still expensive to spend hours on the net. Even with broadband, it is still heavy on the pocket to use the net as the sole source of information. However, in some countries, broadband access like cable, DSL is fairly affordable(works out around 40$ a month for me) for unlimited(unlimited in the real sense) usage. So, using the net as the primary source of news and information is definitely cheaper than say subscribing to dozens of magazines and newspapers. Keeping the future in perspective there is only one way the cost of internet usage can go and that is down. It can only get more affordable and this might just give the online media an edge.
Cost of Production and Running:
This is a view primarily keeping the news agency in focus. It is definitely easier and more cost effective to set up a website than a printing press. While establishing a physical setup to serve news, any person has to deal with the numerous bureaucratic and other potential hurdles which are comparitively less influential in the cyber world, which is another incentive to start a website than a newspaper or a magazine. It is definitely much more cost-effective to run a website as opposed to the running costs associated with the traditional printing press. If anyone intends to bring out a newsletter, he or she can definitely save on the printing and postal charges by switching to email as a communication medium.
Freedom of Speech:
While the net is not completely liberal as far as freedom of speech is concerned, it definitely beats the print media when presenting individual views. For instance, it is more easier for us to make a point on MouthShut and cater to a wide variety of audience than writing to a newspaper or a magazine and expect it to be printed after multiple scans and edits. There have been instances of scrutiny over material presented over the internet but the magnitude of material presented over the net makes it completely infeasible to restrict or censor the views of the public. The net rules when it comes to freedom of speech.
Convenience:
This is something that is completely subjective. To most people it is definitely more convenient to turn the pages of a book or a newspaper than click and scroll. That is perhaps we have grown that way and some habits are just too deep rooted to get rid of too easily. Maybe a few years back, it was difficult to imagine reading news while sitting in a park in a wireless zone. Today, its is a reality. There are many campuses that provide wireless connectivity, most of them are educational but commercial WISPs are also catching up. So, it would be perfectly possible to catch up on the latest stock prices while travelling on a train or waiting in a queue.
It is also more convenient to select and discard what is important and what is irrelevant with online media. With a print service, we generally receive the whole package. It is also more feasible to store and archive relevant information that is available on the web as opposed to creating extra space in your already cramped single bedroom apartment to store old magazines and newspapers. Interactivity is also a major bonus for online publishing, which is almost nil when it comes to printed material. While there are people like me who still crib about the romance lost, the joys and convenience of using the net are perhaps encouraging more and more readers to switch over.
Speed of Updation vs Quality of Product:
There perhaps can be no real debate on the speed of updation. The net wins hands down when it comes to publishing the latest material as opposed to printed material which has to undergo a long process before it finds itself in the hands of the reader. But this stronghold of the net can sometimes prove to be its nemesis. With news changing by the minute, websites tend to get drawn into the race over who updates faster thus ending up with a product that is not well researched or substantially falls below the standards established by the print media. It is not uncommon to spot gramatical errors or certain obvious facts that are overlooked on reputed websites. New websites are being launched by the hour, and most of them fail to meet the expectations of viewers as far as quality is concerned. It is an old adage that only the fittest survive but perhaps this makes the net pretty unstable when it comes to reliability. Over half of the stuff that is online is irrelevant to most readers.
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