Old media vs. new media.

The differences between new and old media are usually the level of its interactivity. Examples of these are newspapers which could be argued as old media and new media being the news online such as the Times website (www.times.com). To get hold of information via old media could take more time. With a newspaper a person would have to go about buying it. If you were using new media it would be more instantly available. You could go on the Times website online and that could take a matter of minutes especially since it's becoming easier to use the internet on mobile phones. It also gives the public an opportunity to be the producers and not just the consumer. The audience becomes active and the internet gives people the chance to take control of what they want to see and do. 'We are now living in the digital age, which of course springs from the computer.' (Rayner 2001) 

New media is becoming increasingly popular amongst the public. Libraries are shutting down because the internet is proving an easier source of information and the new media website www.skype.com allows more positives over the old media of a telephone as it is cost free and you can physically see the other user. However, not everyone has access to the internet and so are in danger of falling behind. Technology is also breakable and could be incredibly inconvenient for people who are dependent on the new media if it were to break.

The Times (2012) The Times. [Online] Available from: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/ [Accessed 17th March 2012].

Rayner, P. and Wall, P. and Kruger, S. (2001) Media Studies: The essential Introduction. London, Routledge.

Skype (2012). [Online] Available from: http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/home [Accessed 17th March 2012].