The Internet blurs the line between TV and newspapers

Posted by Stefanie Chernow on September 1, 2010 at 12:21 PM

The defined line between newspapers, radio, and TV shows has become blurred in the online sphere, as all types of news sources have their respective websites, putting all media domains in direct competition. Glenn Beck, for example, a conservative media icon for Fox News, just launched his "News and Opinion" website The Blaze. As more people get their news from television than newspapers, it will be interesting to follow how TV icons fair in competition with newspapers' websites.

Glenn Beck is widely known for his racy commentary on his television show. He is expanding his media empire online after already dominating radio, TV, and book publishing reports the Financial Times. The Blaze was released online Monday after Beck's "Restoring Honor" rally in Washington. "Too many important stories are overlooked. And too many times we see mainstream media outlets distorting facts to fit rigid agendas," Glenn comments on his website.

The Blaze will follow an advertising-only business model, which may be not immediately lead to profit. Chris Ruddy, founder of Newsmax Media which produces several conservative publications, explained "For self-branding, [The Blaze] is a powerful tool and a good thing, but in terms of the revenues it's going to develop, the business model will be challenging." Ruddy further remarked "The new media really is a multi-platform media. You really need to be across multiple platforms to market your brand." As television stars are making the transition to long-form articles on the web, newspapers are adjusting to using videos and other multimedia forms to break news stories. Where is the line drawn between the two different types of news websites?

The type of information readers expect might play into defining the web niches between television and newspapers. It's arguably ironic that The Blaze, an advertised opinion news source, is equating traditional media (including newspapers) with having "rigid agendas." In fact, newspapers that emphasize analysis reporting are more successful than papers who try to lean in a political direction. Yet the public may have different expectations of newspapers verse TV. Glenn Beck's appeal is somewhat due to an entertainment factor, as visuals on television could possibly permit him to fully express his personality. So how exactly will Beck's conservative website fair against traditional sources of news? How will the public react to the difference between opinionated Internet coverage verse other online news sources that strive to maintain a neutral journalistic bias?

Sources: FT.com