Digital Media vs. Analog Media

The parallels and perpendiculars of digital and analog media are more numerous than I thought possible.  After reading Chapters 2 and 3 of Writing for Digital Media by Brian Carroll, I am intrigued by the major differences between these two forms of media, which are so often lumped together as one – they are both major forms of media, after all.

My perspective of the chapters is that although both digital media and analog media strive to inform readers, they are vastly different.  Digital media is much more instantaneous.  Credibility must be established with a virtual audience – one that can easily respond either positively or negatively in a comment section; one with the ability to conduct instantaneous Internet research to confirm the facts while simultaneously reading an article.  There is major competition for credibility on the Internet because as Carroll states, it is constantly changing.  Hearsay and rumors are written about, proven false, and deleted from the Internet in a matter of minutes – but that doesn’t stop an audience from already having read it.  As a result, there is also more “accident forgiveness” available for digital communication - because information emerges so rapidly, audiences understand that mistakes are made.

 

 Analog media has much more riding on it.  It dates back for centuries.  It is established.  It is printed out and publicly distributed.  For all of these reasons, it has much more of a reputation to protect and uphold.  In major newspapers and magazines, credibility already been established with audiences, and as a result, readers are much less forgiving and much more disappointed when mistakes are made.

Additionally, the format and layout of both forms of media differ significantly.  Web design is centered on drawing the eye in with a strong headline in the upper left corner, on striking images with concise captions underneath, with important information hyperlinked to make it easily accessible for readers.  Every article and page on a Web site is what Carroll calls an “island” – it should be able to stand on its own.  Conversely, the layout and design of analog media is traditional.  There are major headlines and multiple stories per page and a fixed paper structure.

The ideals of good journalism remains celebrated in both digital and analog media, however.  Clarity, simplicity, and credibility are sought earnestly by journalists despite the medium, which is the most important aspects of journalism.  Good journalism is out there – it is just now up to the reader to determine which medium he or she wishes to read.

Thoughts for discussion:
Is it the audience that demands changes from analog media to digital media?  Maybe the audience's progression with technology is part of the reason why there are so many differences.
Because digital media is so rapidly emerging with changes, will analog media begin making changes to keep up with this progression?