Vol. 8 No. 3 (2023): May- June
Original Articles

DIGITAL TRANSITION: IMPACT ON U.S. NEWSPAPER CONTENT IN 2001

Sarah Elizabeth Anderson
University of Illinois at Chicago

Published 2023-09-20

Keywords

  • Internet news,
  • content analysis,
  • journalism,
  • news evolution,
  • digital transition

How to Cite

Anderson, S. E. (2023). DIGITAL TRANSITION: IMPACT ON U.S. NEWSPAPER CONTENT IN 2001. American Journal of Arts and Communication, 8(3), 8–25. Retrieved from http://topjournals.org/index.php/AJAC/article/view/216

Abstract

This content analysis examines the evolution of Internet news in 2001, a significant year when traditional print media transitioned to the online realm. The study delves into the "who, what, when, where, why, and how" aspects of news stories, revealing intriguing trends. Notably, news articles exhibited a growth in length and a heightened focus on providing comprehensive explanations of events. Group-centric narratives gained prominence over individual-centric ones, with officials and external sources assuming greater roles.

The shift to the digital landscape brought nuanced changes, aligning with traditional journalism's trajectory while redefining some aspects. Local markets emerged as a renewed focus, emphasizing the interconnectedness of events within the community. News stories multiplied and began linking events to historical contexts, fostering a deeper understanding of their significance. Moreover, the geographical scope of news coverage became more localized, reflecting a reversal of a century-long trend.

This research underscores the dynamic nature of news dissemination in the digital age, shedding light on how news reporting has evolved while preserving the professional authority of journalists. These findings contribute to our understanding of the transformative impact of online platforms on the field of journalism.

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