An Nguyen

Harnessing the potential of online news: suggestions from a study on the relationship between online news advantages and its post-adoption consequences

Using data from a national survey, this article explores the relationship between nine common socio-technical advantages of online news and how it is used and alters existing news use habits. The article finds that apart from the ability to ‘have my say to the news media’, all the other attributes — no cost, multitasking, more news choices, in-depth and background information, 24/7 updates, customization, ability to discuss news with peers, and the existence of different viewpoints — have a more or less marked effect on the way people adopt, use and integrate online news into daily life. Most remarkably, online news users seem to expect immediacy at the same time as depth and diversity of news and views. Ironically, however, each of these attributes contributes, at various levels, to the displacement effect of online news on each of the four traditional news media. The many implications of these findings for journalism are placed in the context of recent developments in the online news industry.

Facing the "fabulous monster": the traditional media's fear-driven innovation culture in the development of online news

This paper presents a critical review of the evolution of online news since the 1990s, mapping its development into two stages that are driven by the same factor: the fear-driven defensive innovation culture among traditional media. Being threatened by the penetration of the Internet, traditional media hastily established their online presence in the 1990s but then, under the many uncertainties resulting from this rush online and the urge to defend rather than expand markets, have been reluctant to and/or unable to invest resources into developing an online news artefact which achieves its full potential. Online news has been “shoe horned” into the same professional and business model that is at odds with its remarkable potential. Industrial developments in 2005 and 2006, however, suggest that as the Internet has established itself as a major news medium, traditional media—now even more threatened and urged to take actions to make up lost time—are on the verge of a new, more vigorous and rigorous development stage of online news.

Socio-structural correlates of online news and information adoption/use: Implications for the digital divide

Using data from a national survey of 4270 Australians conducted in late 2003, this article merges the structural approach to media audience formation with innovation diffusion theory to explore major socio-structural factors influencing the adoption of online news and information. It finds that more internet accessibility, traditional news and information usage, and privileged socio-economic profiles are strong predictors of online news and information adoption.

The state of data and statistics in journalism and journalism education: Issues and debates:

This paper discusses journalists’ vast misunderstanding, underestimation and ignorance of the nature of statistics and their role in shaping the public’s daily work and life. In countering what the authors see as the most common myths about numbers and the news, it aims to set the scene for the key issues and debates that this special issue covers. At the centre of this discussion are three key points: (a) statistics are not distant from the news: they are at the heart of journalism; (b) statistics are not mathematics: they are about the application of the same kind of logical and valid reasoning needed for other types of news material; and (c) statistics are neither cold nor boring: they are an endless source of inspiration for much excellent journalism in the past, present and, undoubtedly, future.

WHO WANTS A VOICE IN SCIENCE ISSUES—AND WHY?

This paper makes a preliminary exploration of new opportunities for journalists and media to establish relevance and audiences through engagement with science issues. It looks at developments in the “democratisation” of science and, in the light of an analysis of a recent Eurobarometer survey, attempts to discover how a largely untapped active audience for the media may be attracted.