Final answer:
Print media was the traditional method for measuring and tracking earned media coverage in public relations before the internet era, including platforms like newspapers and magazines.
Step-by-step explanation:
Print media was one of the oldest traditional ways to measure and track earned media coverage in public relations before the internet. Prior to the digital revolution, newspapers, magazines, radio, and television were the main platforms through which public relations materials, such as press releases or paid advertisements, would reach and influence the public.
Restoring public trust in the media, particularly in an age dominated by social media and the internet, has highlighted the need for best practices, journalistic expertise, diverse voices, and fact-driven reporting to ensure credibility and accurate information dissemination.