The recent devastating earthquake in Italy has clearly shown the extent to which online news websites are capable of covering a particular story in immense detail.
For example, the Sky News website has a whole section devoted to the eathquake. This section contains multiple videos and picture galleries relating to the event and readers are also invited to give their opinions on the disaster by clicking on ‘comment’. At the bottom of the page, there are links to even more coverage on the earthquake. The website is also being constantly updated as the latest information emerges. After reading about the Italian earthquake on the Sky News website, you would not have much reason to go out and buy a newspaper.
The Guardian website also provides in depth coverage on the earthquake. Here too a whole section is devoted to the event, with links to pictures, videos and even an interactive map of the area. Surely the coverage of the earthquake on the Guardian’s website far exceeds the coverage provided in the print edition of the newspaper and therefore you would wonder how many people would choose to purchase the print edition when such detailed coverage of the earthquake is available for free online.
A major news event, such as the Italian earthquake, gives online news websites a chance to show just what they are capable of when it comes to reporting the news.
