What Are the Differences Between Print Media and Electronic Media?

Sean MacEntee/CC-BY-2.0

The difference between print media and electronic media is that print media is media that is viewed through print resources. such as newspapers, magazines and flyers, whereas electronic media is a virtual media that is viewed through videos and online articles. Print media was first created in 1436 when Johannes Gutenberg was credited with inventing the first printing press to produce print media.

The main difference between print media and electronic media is that print media tends to retain its form. A purchased book stays the same in terms of information throughout its life. In contrast, electronic media changes.

The battle between print media and electronic media, or e-media, continues to escalate with many publications dividing up their content and looking at possible e-media strategies.

Print media has many benefits, such as strong brand recognition and readability. Many people, even tech-savvy people, tend to prefer reading an actual newspaper than reading the newspaper’s content online. The New York Times, The Washington Post, Newsweek and Time are all publications that have established brands in print media and continue to have high circulation numbers.

Meanwhile, electronic media is quick to provide benefits that print media cannot. Electronic media offers the opportunity to access the data or content from almost anywhere as well as update the content in minutes. Young people are also making electronic media a viable platform by looking for breaking news online instead of in their local newspaper.

Print media options like physical magazines and newspapers are on the decline, and they may vanish entirely in the future.

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