Base on uses and gratification theory which is focused on audience's perspectives, this study researched the media characteristics and use motives of cellular phone, Internet and television In Korea. The results showed that media audiences regarded In...
Base on uses and gratification theory which is focused on audience's perspectives, this study researched the media characteristics and use motives of cellular phone, Internet and television In Korea. The results showed that media audiences regarded Internet as an unfamiliar, technical-oriented but active, informative medium with incredible information sources, while television is considered as passive, nonpersonal, familiar and convenient one-way medium with credible information sources. Cellular phone is considered as an interactive, private and individual medium.
As for the difference of use motives in three media, Internet ranked higher than other two media about to stimulate the sexuality. While television has the highest use motive, cellular phone has the lowest use motive among three media. This result means that up till now, Korean media users regard cellular phone as not medium but just communication tool.
The reason why Internet has been partially positioned as one of popular mass media by replacing television in Korea is that Internet has interactivity, individuality and activity. The result of this study shows cellular phone is much more interactive and personal than Internet. To be cellular phone the popular mass media through the successful implementation of IMT-2000 plan, therefore, it has to integrate not only its portable ability but also interactivity, activity of Internet and familiar and convenient characteristics of television.