Comparison Essay: Online vs. Print Newspaper

Nowadays more and more people prefer to look for information of different kind in online newspapers. In our high-tech world people choose mobility and fast temper of life. That’s why I dare say that almost every piece of news can be found by means of Internet. Along with traditional printed newspapers there appeared up-to-date and more efficient way to present information. Online newspapers became widely spread as a way to inform and unite readers according to their interests. I’ll make an attempt to define clearly privileges and drawbacks of both variants.

There is a wide variety of newspapers published online. Readers may mostly get access to sociological, psychological and political newspapers and those intended for a wide range of people. In general online newspapers don’t seem to differ much from printed versions by the contents of articles. But there still can be defined certain advantages and disadvantages. I will examine Epoch Times International newspaper. The article for comparison deals with the spring festival in Vancouver which is held every year in order to view the beauty of local cherry blossom. It’s common knowledge that such festival is a Japanese tradition which takes place every spring. The first thing to catch readers’ eyes is illustrations for the topic. It shows a row of trees all in pink blossom. There is only one picture in online version. Newsprint article is known to contain more pictures to the topic. Attentive reader however will notice that online version gives links to more illustrations especially devoted to Vancouver cherry blossom. (http://www.vancouvercherryblossomfestival.com/vcbf/map)

In this way online newspaper page gives more freedom to find some additional information in case readers became deeply concerned in the topic. It gives opportunity to subscribe the edition and view some similar editions which would probably be more detailed.

I doubt whether it is an advantage or not, that newsprint version doesn’t contain any advertisements which may distract reader’s attention. Advertisements which often give unnecessary information usually irritate readers. In this way newspaper print version has an important privilege for readers. Printed version is more specific. It gives nothing more than an article with illustrations and brief information about the newspaper. At the top of the article there is always given its Internet address.

I consider online newspaper to be more useful in some way. The example of Epoch Times International shows that such newspapers usually give an opportunity to choose different languages. It would actually help people of different nationalities to read the same article in their native languages. Moreover such options let readers view newspapers of different countries as well. It is especially valuable for translators and people dealing with international affairs. For example, an article about cherry blossom in Vancouver can be read and appreciated by a Japanese person either. Readers are able to leave their comments on the article and newspaper itself. Some online newspapers provide an opportunity to add some more article of this kind to enrich the content of the newspaper. In this respect printed version yields much to the online one. I mean that online newspapers actually became an international source, while newsprint versions just give a piece of information and no one would know whether it was appreciated or not. Online newspapers give an opportunity to discuss the topic on forum, e-mail other readers or editors themselves. The most striking difference is that online articles may be renovated or improved, unlike printed ones.

All in all I consider it obvious that online newspaper has doubtless advantages in comparison with printed ones. In our fast-moving world it gives people more opportunities not only to read the article but to view other resources on the topic and share opinion with other readers. It is obviously more convenient and appropriate to modern life.

References

Joan Delaney. (2007, March 29). Epoch Times International. Cherry Blossom Festival Delights Vancouverites. http://en.epochtimes.com/news/7-3-29/53475.html