PHILIPPINE ONLINE JOURNALISM: - AMIC

The coming of the online medium means a new source of news and information;
it means that sources of news are no longer exclusive to the mainstream media. But this
medium is not intended to, or will not oust the long-existing traditional media. Instead, it
simply serves as an alternative to and complements these media (print, radio, and
television) in providing news and information, at least to those with online access.
An edge of the online medium as a content provider is that it gives readers an
access to past issues of news publications through their archive. This saves readers from
the burden of searching for old issues or articles at libraries or other data providers.
Similarly, as most, if not all online news sites are accessible to anyone with access to the
online medium, readers get news and information for free, and, equally important, they
get them fast.
The online medium is especially of value to the Philippines because of its millions
of people working or living abroad. For these Filipinos, at least to those with Internet
access, the online medium is the easiest and sometimes the only way to get news and
information from home.
There have been apprehensions about the impact or role of online journalism in
the country, considering the lack of necessary infrastructures and the immense gap
between those with Internet access and those without. However, the presence of Internet
shops or cafes all over the country, particularly those areas with Internet access, is said to
help fill this gap. These shops are particularly advantageous to those without Internet
access at home because of their relatively low service cost.
2. Communication channel
P10 - Crispin C. Maslog.doc
Received on 12/04/2006