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Internet not a challenge but useful tool for journalists, newspapers

ISLAMABAD: The traditional newspaper will not disappear in the future as still a vast majority or readers feel an attachment to their newspapers, either in print or digital.

While many Internet websites do offer many of the same services newspapers do, it would take a lot to overcome the power and freedom of the press through a commercial venture. Newspapers have deeper pockets these days and chain-owned papers will not sit back and watch their own demise.

The participants of a workshop on the Freedom of the Press and Information recently held in German capital, Berlin, found Internet not as a challenge or a competitor, but as a useful tool for journalists and newspapers.

Ahh, a cup of tea and the morning paper. That's the way most people are used to reading their news. Newspapers have traditionally been the main media for cities, large and small. Although they can no longer compete with the deadlines of television or radio, they have been able to stay alive through indepth news stories and features.

Putting a newspaper on-line is not as simple as transferring the content and photos onto the Web. People like getting their morning paper for a reason, and an on-line paper has to offer them more.

One of the biggest differences is access. The paper may no longer be delivered to you, but is now available by computer whenever you want to get it, day or night.

On-line newspapers allow stories to link to previous stories about the subject, other sites dealing with the issue or subject matter of a story, and the opportunity to start a discussion or chat room around a particular story or issue.

In order to appeal to the public, which may be paying extra for an on-line subscription, a newspaper must give the reader more opportunity to become involved, such as a special section, feedback area or archive.

On-line news offers print media a chance to compete with broadcast media for readership, by increasing the size of the community it serves. With an on-line paper, local may not be within a 25-mile radius anymore, but it might include a whole region or state.

On-line newspapers go far beyond just distributing the local news. They become city guides, chat forums, community information centres, community calendars, archive services and sources of local history. Not only the newspaper reporters have to adjust to minute-by-minute news updates and multiple daily deadlines, but they have unlimited space on the Internet.

The ultimate reason that the newspapers will prevail in the Information Age is that they are better than anyone else at collecting, editing, filtering and presenting real information, and they are allying with the computer jugernaut to do it.

The newspapers are pursuing the fastest expanding current markets rather than rearview markets. They are targetting adults with real interests and ambitions that generate buying power rather than distracting children from more edifying pursuits. APP