Review and critique of Reading 15

In his article “Web users aren’t about to forsake the printed page”, Mark Day expresses his opinion that despite falling numbers in newspaper sales, an increase in internet usage does not mean that print media will replaced by this. He argues that contrary to the popular belief that the internet media is a threat to print media; this new media can actually be used to counter conservative opinion and be fully utilized by readers in comparing news sources and credibility.

Day debates the flexibility and opportunities that the internet medium can offer in the area of the expression and influence of political issues. He also discusses about issues of profit-making through this medium by satisfying subscribers’ need for variety in information outlets.

In my opinion, Day wrote a convincing article, and presented lots of statistics in supporting his argument. There is also logic in his observation that the political information provided in most national newspaper outlets are usually biased or manipulated; an example will be Singapore having only one national newspaper publisher and it is usually headed by individuals who are usually involved in politics at one point in time. Indeed the existence of the internet media offers freedom of expression and is less manipulated and this element encourages the contest of dominant political issues.

Day also points out a prominent trend that increasing number of professionals turn towards more news outlets in the pursue of comparison for issues in relation to government policies and implementation, democracy, and arts. The statistics that he used in New Matilda’s survey of its subscribers made this a strong and convincing point raised.

Day’s debate has a good flow in content and I find it particularly inspiring that an argument which has so much of numerical content (number of readers, percentage, and cost figures) can be arranged in such a way that it was easy to follow and understand.