Cybernetic answer to who, what, where, when and how: Comparative Analysis of online and print newspapers in Serbia, Great Britain and the United States

Abstract

In the last 8 years, the number of the Internet users worldwide increased by 305%, and the number of online newspapers has increased more than 50% since 2003. In the light of these developments, this study questions if online newspapers can be seen as a news genre distinct from its print parent. Built on the premises of genre theory, the study tests the applicability of Shepherd and Waters' (1998) classification of news cybergenres. Data collected with content analysis of 223 front pages of the selected online newspapers from Serbia (17), Great Britain (108) and the United States (98), revealed current trends in online publishing and difference in the state of the online newspapers in these countries. Serbian online newspapers most closely resemble their print parent, while online dailies in the USA and GB are exhibiting features of a new news cybergenre.