Week 2

In the last decade the internet has significantly altered the way in which people interact with news.   The rise of online journalism has made it possible for non-journalists to contribute news by volunteering information directly and posting comments, pictures and videos that can be picked up and republished.  As Tom Standage says "The internet has turned the news industry upside down, making it more participatory, social, diverse and partisan—as it used to be before the arrival of the mass media." 

The internet has also altered the ways in which audiences consume news.  From 2005 - 2009 newspaper circulation decreased by 13.3% in the USA.   (http://www.economist.com/node/18904136?story_id=18904136).  Conversly the number of Americans who got their news from the internet increased from approximately 10% in 2001 to just under 50% in 2010.  As the Economist states the internet has upended newspapers’ traditional business model through undermining advertising revenue, making news reports a commodity and blurring the boundaries between previously distinct news organisations.  As the internet continues to grow it is clear that the industry will require new business models  to adapt to the changing nature of news consumption.