Inside - outside: web history and the ambivalent relationship between old and new media

Abstract

"This paper argues that the societal perception of the web and of changes to it over the course of time forms a relevant part of web history. Moreover, the particular perception of the web is to a large extent affected by the traditional media. Against this background the study analyses on a historical basis the content of the traditional media, i.e. newspapers and journals, dealing with topics related to the web. The results of the study foster the assumption that - at least in Germany - traditional media coverage on the Internet and digital media and today social media as well is strongly influenced by a competition between the old and the new media. At the same time the results of the Austrian data show a more neutral attitude toward the web. In order to assess these differences, further international comparative studies are needed." (author's abstract)