A Victory of the Internet over Mass Media? Examining the Effects of Online Media on Political Attitudes in South Korea EDITOR'S NOTE: THIS PAPER WON THE 2005 ASIAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATIONS TOP PAPER AWARD FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION DIVISION AT THE 2005 ANNUAL AEJMC CONFERENCE (AUGUST 10–AUGUST 13, 2005 IN SAN ANTONIO).

This study employed an online survey of 249 politically interested Internet users during the 2004 national Assembly election in South Korea to examine if reliance on online news media for political news and information influences political attitudes after controlling for demographics and use of the traditional media. Reliance on independent Web-based newspapers appeared to be a stronger predictor than traditional media and their online counterparts. Based on the findings, a media power shift in Korea was discussed.