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Is the Internet a threat to printed newspapers? Despite popular opinion, I do not think so. The reasons for this opinion are based upon the fact that they serve different purposes.

With the Internet there is a need to be connected to a communication source. This is usually done through a computer that means the reader is desk-bound. Over long periods of time, this is not the most comfortable of positions to remain in. Whilst it is true that one can use a laptop, again having this on your lap when, perhaps, you are reading in bed is not ideal. Sometimes one just has a need to relax and read and this is not possible with an Internet newspaper.

Additionally, it is a lot easier to flick through the pages of a newspaper to scan a particular section of a day's news, and find items that are of interest. This process is not as easy with an electronic newspaper as one has to hunt through numerous pages, which are not always the easiest to navigate. Similarly, the printed newspaper is far less distractive in that there are no flashing or moving adverts to interfere with the reading process.

Printed newspapers are far easier to transport than Internet based papers. For example, on a train it is far simpler to open a newspaper, than it is to set up and open a laptop.

Both of these mediums have their place in the media industry, but my opinion is that if one were to conduct a survey of readers it would probably be found that printed newspapers are given more in-depth attention that their Internet counterparts.

Learn more about this author, Paul Lines.
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