Final answer:
The primary driver behind the shift from traditional media to digital media platforms is the increasing use of technology and the internet. With the majority of people now owning smartphones or tablets, accessing news and information online has become more convenient and accessible than relying on print media.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary driver behind the shift from traditional media to digital media platforms is the increasing use of technology and the internet. With the majority of people now owning smartphones or tablets, accessing news and information online has become more convenient and accessible than relying on print media. Additionally, the rise of social media has played a significant role in the shift, as it allows individuals to create and consume content in real-time.
The transition from traditional to digital media is driven by the widespread adoption of smartphones and tablets, changing consumer preferences for news consumption, and the resultant shift in how news is delivered and received. Digital platforms enable personalized content delivery, leading to a more segmented audience and creating challenges for traditional media revenue models.
The primary driver behind the shift from traditional media to digital media platforms is multifaceted, involving the advancement of technology, changes in consumer behavior, and the increased accessibility of news through digital devices. The emergence of smartphones and tablets, which are now commonly owned by the majority of U.S. adults, has played a significant role in this transition. People, particularly younger generations, are increasingly obtaining their news from online and digital sources, with numbers growing from 24% in 2004 to 39% in 2012, as reported by the Pew Research Center for People and the Press. This migration to digital has caused traditional news media like newspapers, radio, and television to adapt by developing digital pay plans and striving to increase digital ad revenue, although these measures have not fully compensated for the loss in print revenue.
As newspapers and other traditional news sources have become less central to information dissemination, the media landscape has fragmented, allowing consumers to select news that aligns with their specific interests, potentially leading to a more polarized public. This shift is underscored by the reality that new media platforms, often facilitated by social media, have become powerful instruments in the delivery of news and information, dramatically changing the dynamics of content creation, distribution, and consumption.