The future of the British broadsheet newspaper on the World Wide Web

Abstract

Traditional media, such as newspapers, are having to reassess their role in the Internet age. Not only are newspapers having to compete with each other, but also with foreign newspapers from all over the globe and their information providers choosing to deliver news on their websites. The aim of this paper is to determine the present state and the future of the British newspaper on the World Wide Web. An evaluation of the five British broadsheet websites was carried out between 11th August and 11th September 2000. Three broad categories were selected to evaluate the websites information content, interactivity and business and marketing features. Interviews were also carried out in order to gauge the opinion of journalists, information specialists and New Media professionals as to the future path for newspapers. The results showed that newspapers, to a certain extent, are still repurposing their hard copy content for the Web. However, online newspapers are making some advances by maximising their content and by developing discussion forums and feedback mechanisms. FT.com has made the greatest effort to reassess its purpose on the Internet. The interview results showed that there is no clear strategy for the future of newspapers on the WWW. However, what became clear was the opinion that newspapers should concentrate on targeting a local audience, facilitating community publishing and investing in research. All stress that whatever move they make, newspapers must make one and fast.

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