Journalism + Internet or Journalism Vs. Internet?

As written on my previous blog, the power of Internet has closed down many newspaper firms in Iran. Is Internet killing Journalism? As the saying goes, the pen is mightier than the sword. Today, the internet is the most formidable foe would not be an understatement. The Internet has encouraged a shift in who creates, distributes and ultimately owns the news.

Today when we need reliable news, where do we search for? Newspaper? Internet? The evaluation of news should be based on these benchmarks:

1. Accuracy: 
• The news must have an author who can be traced. Newspapers all have editors and publication, so there's no problem in contacting them. In the Internet, anonymous posts of news coverage should not be taken seriously. If one is thoroughly very sure of his content, he would have no qualms in leaving his contacts.
2. Authority:
•  Although there have been many talks about newspapers having a biased point of view, newspapers are still reliable sources of information. Journalists and reporters all have video clips, interview clips, photos as evidences of the live situation. Some Internet sites are authoritative, hence the news that they publish are reliable too. (Refer to previous week's blog to understand more about Authority bestowed by various source)
3. Objectivity:
• The objectivity and goals of the publication should be consistent. A newspaper company whose aim is to publish political news coverage shouldn't cover entertainment gossips and stuffs. An internet site which supports Obama shouldn't have discriminating posts on him.
4. Currency: 
• The materials of the publication should be up-to-date. Newspapers publish on a dailiy basis, reporters and journalists reach the site of news as soon as possible, hence their coverage is always reliable. Internet sites which publishes news should ensure their news are not out-dated.
5. Coverage:
• Information should be quoted correctly. Too much pictures would discredit the news. Too much words would make it very wordy and difficult to digest. A healthy balance of words and pictures would be ideal for a news publication. Newspapers have live-situation photos to back up their coverage, hence it is always a good source. Internet sites have to ensure their pictures do not mislead any information.

let's end this with a short video on citizen journalism, where citizens are free to post news coverage, wherever they are.