The primary focus of the print publication is to deliver local, national, and world news The newspaper is split into categories depending on your personal interest. It is set up into a traditional newspaper format with different sections, sports, obituraries, front page headlines and etc. The front page usually shows the biggest story of the day, sometimes local or sometimes national.
The online version is essentially the same as the print version as far as the stories and content. Also the online version has real time stories, newly breaking news, and allows you to comment on the stories you read as well as commenting on other people's comments on the story. It also shows past stories and updates about what happened to those stories. This version allows you to post classified ad for free unlike the print version which of course costs money to place an ad.
The Oregonian, both print and online, is the biggest newspaper and most trusted newspaper in the region and is widely circulated through the state and further. The print publication compared to smaller newspapers in the state is more thorough and has more on staff writers. The online version is more real time and free compared the the Democrat Herald which is yesterday's news and if you want today's news you have to have a subscription. I compared the differences between the content of the online version versus the print version. I found in one article that I analyzed, "The Legislature Passes States First Set of Marine Reserves".that the online version had more photos and links that clarify the story. The print version keeps it wrapped up in a traditonal newspaper fashion. Another difference with the online version would be that you can comment and read other people's comments pertaining to the story or stories. The print version you can write a letter to the editor, and if the stars and moons are aligned, it may be published. Another intersting difference are the classifieds. Online you can place ads for free, but they will cost you in the print version.
I think the target audience for both versions are the citizens of Oregon. The content of the paper is unbiased and attracts a variety of people. However I do think that the online version would attract younger people because of real time news features and the interactive abilities. The online advertisements are minimal and hardly noticeable compared with the amount of information on the page. However the print version is does have full page ads, especially in the front page section. Some of the ads do closely follow the sections, for example in the entertainment section, there are ads for upcoming shows, such as the Garth Fagan Dance Company, but on the same page there is an advertisement for toe fungus medication. There are no stereotypes of offensive messages in either publications.
Two strengths of the print version are that the articles are short and concise, and another are that the ads are quite minimal and not intrusive. Two weaknesses are that the articles are not as thorough as they could be. The other is that the printing is small and not user friendly.
Two strengthts of the online version are that you can expand for more story by using the links provided. Another strength is that it is easy to navigate and more user friendly i.e. being able to change the font size and more. Two weaknesses are are that you have to sit in front of a computer, and you miss the nostalgia of holding a newspaper in your hands.
Audiences of both print and online versions are equally well served. The print version heralds back to the traditional newspapers when the paper boy delivered your paper to your front porch where you can't wait to open it up to read what was on the front page. The audiences of the online version are well served with a modern way of receiveing information in a streaming media way that they have grown used to. The print version traditionalists would be surprised at how easy the online version truly is. The online version is superior because it is more up to the minute and more articles are availabe.
I use this publication for more than just articles. I use it to find sports scores, to find what plays are coming to town, to find a job, to do the crosswords, and to read my horoscope. I do not follow the Oregonian on Facebook or Twitter because the online version keeps me well informed and I feel that is enough.
In conclusion I learned about an online version of the Oregonian that I did previously use. Because of this assignment I have been reintroduced to an excellent online newspaper. After writing this blog it has occured to me that my father would probably enjoy the new ways that the Oregonian reaches its readers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oregonian
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-oregonian-portland-5
http://biz.oregonian.com/newsroom/
