The contribution of online newspapers to the public sphere: a United Kingdom case study

Sparks, C. 2003. The contribution of online newspapers to the public sphere: a United Kingdom case study. Trends in Communication. 11 (2), pp. 111-126. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15427439TC1102_03

TitleThe contribution of online newspapers to the public sphere: a United Kingdom case study
AuthorsSparks, C.
Abstract

This article examines the online presence of the U.K. national daily newspaper press. The differences between the offline and online markets for the content of newspapers

are examined and the performance of the 10 daily titles is compared in the 2 spheres. It is shown that the success in attracting audiences of the online editions does not reproduce the patterns of offline editions. In particular, the online sites of "quality" newspapers are much more successful than those of "tabloid" newspapers. The possible reasons for this are reviewed and it is concluded that the kinds of material normally found in quality newspapers are enhanced by their presentation in thenewmedium, whereas

those found in tabloid newspapers are often provided better online by other specialist competitors. A typology of online newspapers is then proposed, constructed in terms

of the relationship between offline and online titles and the implications of the different categories are considered. In conclusion it is noted that, although it might be possible to interpret the data to suggest that the development of online newspapers acts to enhance the public sphere, there are important factors that make an alternative conclusion more convincing. The kinds of material that are most successful online are those

that address the concerns of the elite, and the online public sphere will embody the same sorts of exclusions that are present offline, but in a more extreme form.

KeywordsOnline newspapers, public sphere, quality press, tabloids
JournalTrends in Communication
Journal citation11 (2), pp. 111-126
ISSN1383-8857
Year2003
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1207/S15427439TC1102_03
Web address (URL)http://www.leaonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1207/S15427439TC1102_03
Publication dates
Published2003
File

Related outputs

What is the "digital divide" and why is it important?
Sparks, C. 2013. What is the "digital divide" and why is it important? Javnost / The Public. 20 (2), pp. 27-46.

Coverage of China in the UK national press
Sparks, C. 2010. Coverage of China in the UK national press. Chinese Journal of Communication. 3 (3), pp. 347-365. https://doi.org/10.1080/17544750.2010.499637

Investigative journalism in China today
Tong, J. and Sparks, C. 2009. Investigative journalism in China today. Journalism Studies. 10 (3), pp. 337-352. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616700802650830

Media systems in transition: Poland, Russia, China
Sparks, C. 2008. Media systems in transition: Poland, Russia, China. Chinese Journal of Communication. 1 (1), pp. 7-24. https://doi.org/10.1080/17544750701861871

After transition: a comparative study of Poland, Russia and China
Sparks, C. 2008. After transition: a comparative study of Poland, Russia and China. in: Jakubowicz, K. and Sukosd, M. (ed.) Finding the right place on the map: Central and Eastern European media change in a global perspective Bristol, UK Intellect.

What's wrong with globalisation
Sparks, C. 2007. What's wrong with globalisation. Journalism and Communication. 3 (2), pp. 133-155. https://doi.org/10.1177/1742766507078413

Extending and refining the propaganda model
Sparks, C. 2007. Extending and refining the propaganda model. Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture. 4 (2), pp. 68-84.

Globalization, development and the mass media
Sparks, C. 2007. Globalization, development and the mass media. London, UK Sage.

United Kingdom: the triumph of quality
Sparks, C. and Yilmaz, A. 2006. United Kingdom: the triumph of quality. in: van der Wurff, R. and Lauf, E. (ed.) Print and online newspapers in Europe: a comparative analysis in 16 countries Amsterdam, Netherlands Het Spinhuis. pp. 259-274

The problem of globalization
Sparks, C. 2005. The problem of globalization. Global Media and Communication. 1 (1), pp. 20-23. https://doi.org/10.1177/174276650500100105

Teorii ale mass media dupa prabusirea communismului European. De ce vehicle modele din Est si West nu vor mai functioiona
Sparks, C. 2005. Teorii ale mass media dupa prabusirea communismului European. De ce vehicle modele din Est si West nu vor mai functioiona. in: Marinescu, V. (ed.) Communiare si Putere Bucharest Romania. pp. 40-62

Media and the (global) public sphere: an evaluative approach
Sparks, C. 2005. Media and the (global) public sphere: an evaluative approach. in: de Jong, W., Shaw, M. and Stammers, N. (ed.) Global activism, global media London, UK Pluto Press. pp. 34-49

Civil society as contested concept: media and political transformation in Eastern and Central Europe
Sparks, C. 2005. Civil society as contested concept: media and political transformation in Eastern and Central Europe. in: Hackett, R.A. and Zhao, Y. (ed.) Democratizing global media: one world, many struggles Lanham, USA Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 37-56

The impact of the Internet on the existing media
Sparks, C. 2004. The impact of the Internet on the existing media. in: Calabrese, A. and Sparks, C. (ed.) Toward a political economy of culture: capitalism and communication in the twenty-first century Lanham, Md., USA Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 307-326

Jurnalismul si cultura populara
Dahlgren, P. and Sparks, C. 2004. Jurnalismul si cultura populara. Bucharest, Romania Coleegium.

Newspapers and advertising online
Sparks, C. 2003. Newspapers and advertising online. in: Richards, M. and Roussou, N. (ed.) The internet and modern communications Nicosia, Cyprus Intercollege.

Are the Western media really that interested in China?
Sparks, C. 2003. Are the Western media really that interested in China? Javnost / The Public. 10 (4), pp. 93-108.

Media pi societatea democratica
Sparks, C. 2001. Media pi societatea democratica. Psihosociologia & mass-media. 2/2001, pp. 46-55.

Media and democratic society: a survey of post communist experience
Sparks, C. 2001. Media and democratic society: a survey of post communist experience. in: Blunden, M. and Burke, P.D.M. (ed.) Democractic reconstruction in the Balkans London, UK Policy Studies Institute. pp. 147-164

The Internet and the global public sphere
Sparks, C. 2001. The Internet and the global public sphere. in: Bennett, W.L. and Entman, R.M. (ed.) Mediated politics: communication in the future of democracy Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press. pp. 75-95

Development, imperialism and globalization: the implication of the paradigm shifts in international communication
Sparks, C. 2001. Development, imperialism and globalization: the implication of the paradigm shifts in international communication. in: Melkote, S.R. and Rao, S. (ed.) Critical issues in communication: looking inward for answers Delhi, India Sage. pp. 357-385

Democratisation and the media: a preliminary discussion of experiences in Europe And Asia
Sparks, C. 2001. Democratisation and the media: a preliminary discussion of experiences in Europe And Asia. Javnost / The Public. 8 (4), pp. 7-30.

Problems with a European public sphere: an introduction
Kunelius, R. and Sparks, C. 2001. Problems with a European public sphere: an introduction. Javnost / The Public. 8 (1), pp. 5-20.

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/9398z/the-contribution-of-online-newspapers-to-the-public-sphere-a-united-kingdom-case-study


Share this

Usage statistics

274 total views
481 total downloads
These values cover views and downloads from WestminsterResearch and are for the period from September 2nd 2018, when this repository was created.