(MENAFN- Arab Times) In the modern age where cyber media is seemingly becoming more prominent in the daily lives of people around the globe, printed media seem to be taking the backseat in terms of bringing the latest news and the spread of information.
However, such argument is challenged by media experts, academics, as well as journalists who are saying that both mediums interact in a way that makes them both necessary for the future development of media.
Professor of Media Studies at Kuwait University (KU) Dr Khaled Al-Gahas told KUNA that any media outlet, whether it was online or within a paper format, should base its success on credibility and professionalism.
Making sure that credibility is on the forefront of any media institution's agenda will eventually deliver the correct message to the public, argued Al-Gahas.
The Kuwaiti academic agreed that cyber media had the edge over its printed counterpart in terms of the way it gets spread, going beyond borders and reaching more audience.
This spread effect had lured many printed media outlets to either use cyberspace as an extension of its output; however, several others, especially in the North America and Europe, opted for a complete conversion online, abandoning the original paper format.
Outlets
Benefiting from the spread of cyber media is a way to develop classical outlets, said Media Studies Professor at KU Dr Ahmad Al-Shareef. He indicated that the tough competition posed by cyber media and its attraction of the vast majority of the youth is forcing printed media to step up the rivalry.
With all the benefits and temptations provided by cyber media, its printed counterpart had the upper-hand when it came to professionalism and accuracy, said Al-Shareef, adding that without being organized, cyber media tend to lose some focus and vision when trying to convey information to the audience.
Taking things into consideration, one could not disregard the psychological impact of media as a whole and with the advent of cyber media, this impact somehow seems to have more influence on the masses.
Professor of Psychology at KU Dr Khuder Al-Baroun affirmed that cyber media had broken the walls between cultures and race, providing information for whomever is willing to seek it without discrimination.
By contrast, said Al-Baroun, living within the context of cyberspace might lead individuals to become isolated, leading to less direct conversations amongst people.
Some cyber media are contributing to the spread of rumors and chaos, said Al-Baroun, adding that it was hard to filter between what is false from the truth when being in cyberspace.
Context
Putting things into context, the argument of who is superior might lie within the hands of those involved directly in the news and information business.
Journalist Fahad Al-Turki affirmed that the relationship between cyber and printed media is not of elimination but rather of integration. Both types are important to deliver the message to the masses, said Al-Turki. The professionalism provided by printed media could be extended to the cyber world; thus, provide a solid mix that would be both efficient and credible.
Expressing different views, Journalists Nour Al-Abdullah and Musa'ad Al-Mutairi both said that traditional newspapers had various restrictions that prevented such newspapers from overpowering their cyber counterparts.
They both argued that the topics discussed in cyber media were more diverse and the cost to bring news online was lesser than trying to print a story via traditional methods.
They indicated that in order for printed media to challenge its cyber counterpart, it should work on measures to update itself, reconsidering policies and methods in which information in today's world is handled.
The on-going debate of cyber versus printed media might not reach a decisive conclusion, but it would surely contribute to the evolution of how media is handled and someday a new type of medium will challenge both to reevaluate and consider their approach to information.
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