The Internet can make the news more democratic, giving the public a chance to ask questions and seek out facts behind stories and candidates, according to the head of the largest U.S. online services.
"But the greatest 1 for public participation is still in the future, " Steven Case, Chairman of American Online, told a recent meeting on Journalism and. the Internet sponsored by the Freedom Forum. 2 , some other experts often say the new technology of computers is changing the face of journalism, giving reporters 3 to more information and their readers a chance to ask questions and turn to 4 sources.
"You don’t have to buy a newspaper and be confined to the four corners of that paper any more, " Sam Meddis, online technology editor at USA Today, 5 about the variety of information available to computer users.
But the experts noted the easy access to the Internet also 6 anyone can post information for others to see. "Anyone can say anything they want, 7 it’s right or wrong, " said Case. Readers have to determine for themselves whom to trust. "ln a world of almost infinite voices, respected journalists and respected brand names will probably become more important, not 8 , " Case said.
The Internet today is about 9 radio was 80 years ago, or television 50 years ago, or cable 25 years ago, he said. But it is 10 rapidly because it provides people fast access to news and a chance to comment on it.