The Relationship Between Use of the Internet and Traditional Information Sources

This study examines how the spread of the Internet has affectedJapanese people’s information acquisition from traditional media or via traditionalinformation channels. In particular, this study focuses on displacement andcomplementary effects and on devices for Internet access. Using representative data fromJapan (N = 1,179), the results show that Internet use via mobile phone has complementaryeffects on information acquisition from traditional media, while Internet use viapersonal computers does not. In addition, the results show that Internet use viapersonal computers has a displacement effect on information acquisition from radio.These findings are discussed with regard to communication means, social contexts, andmedia interfaces