On any given day you can find me using my laptop while sitting in front of a TV, and possibly with a stereo playing music in the background. Call it whatever you want: a short attention span or multi-tasking. My consumption of news is all about using as many of my senses as possible. I think the capabilities of the Web are in line with my multifaceted approach to news consumption. Using the Web, I can satisfy many of my senses all in one place.
I've read a few of my classmate's blogs about this week's essay topic, and I would agree that perhaps it is not the definition of news that will change with the Web, but rather its production and distribution to the masses. News will still have all its classic elements, but the Web's capabilities make for an interesting mix of audience turned editor/producer. With the Web, it's the reader who is the deciding factor of what news is and what isn't. I like the idea of being able to choose which story I want to read, when I want to read it.
On the Web, no one makes you watch things in a predetermined order. And the level of interactivity also contributes to the feeling of having a stake in the news, because the people are more involved in the gatekeeping process that previously was only granted to certain people. This idea of news specialization is fascinating to me because websites like Amazon get to know you so much that they start to shape themselves to your personality. You get only the news you want to see, or at least, that you think you want to see.
Personally, I think that the definition of news is not going to change too much, but rather it will expand in its handling and production. The Web's capabilities can make news distribution more convenient and personal for news consumers. All we have to do is take advantage of elements such as personalization and timeliness. I do see a change in the definition of news, but a good change.
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