New Media vs. Old Media.

I'm sure all those who get their information from the Internet know of the current paradigm between the Old Media and the New Media. For those that don't know, it's the battle between the Newspapers, TV stations, and radio stations and the Internet. The question how long can the Internet last unregulated, cheap, ubiquitous as it is today.

What some fail to realize is the regulation of all the fore mentioned "Old Media" standard by many agencies, as well as the history behind all the various forms of early technological advances such as radio and TV. Due to the broadcast nature of Radio and TV Regulation was deemed hugely necessary from the get go. Newspapers were a bit of a different story, but many times courts upheld decisions on first amendment rights, usually invoking citing a riot with whatever it was that particular newspaper was printing.

The Internet has a strange distinction as the only open media source today. Although censored in some areas the Internet still presents the best source for factually correct bits of information. That being said the most important skill needed to traverse this super highway of information is critical analysis. Like any free and open environment you can expect the good with the bad obviously on the Internet. This has caused credibility issues with the mainstream public due to a perceived lack of authority and a propensity towards trash that exists on the Internet. With all that being considered, I would rather take the good with the bad than just what some corporate smucks in the Manhattan thinks is news.

The point of this discourse is to understand why Old Media hangs on. One can argue that the regulated and duly authorized status for most TV and radio stations lends a certain air of credibility. Any body can put their stuff out on the Internet, but who can broadcast publicly on air, legally? Very few people. Furthermore, much of the Internet is demonized by mainstream press sources as "smut", "pornography", you name it. Before On-line activity was a threat to TV, you would frequently see stories about Americans On-line. Now you see nothing on the real rates of Americans On-line, especially the programming that's offered there.

In the end though the Internet truth culture in reporting world events properly in light of the government stories and official lies has lent much credibility and vitalness to the Internet and free news stories unaffiliated with any sponsorship and more immune to government influence. But, be wary. Take head to skepticism in your empirical reasoning. Don't be deceived by charlatans, racists, or propagandizers. Accordingly, head the hand of government intervention and recoginze its motive's.