ABSTRACT

Online journalism disseminating through the interactive medium is fundamentally different from traditional mass media (Neuman, 1994). Compared to traditional journalism, interactivity is a characteristic of online journalism (Millison, 1999). Newspapers need interactivity as an enhancement to their print product, not simply because it reduces reliance on paper and ink, but primarily because it makes newspapers “more interesting, more compelling, more useful, more diverse and vibrant” (Higgins, 1994, p. 10). Although newspapers will remain viable for decades, interactive Internet newspapers will add value to them by providing more gratifying content and personalized services. The future media survival will depend on how to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Internet (Quinlan, 1994).