Learn the real difference between electronic and print media. Simple examples with a Nigerian touch to help you understand both clearly.
I remember clearly how every morning, my father would buy a newspaper from the same vendor near the bus stop. He would sit with his cup of tea, flipping through the pages while I waited for him to finish so I could read the cartoons. That was how we got our news back then.
Fast forward to now, I get news from my phone before I even brush my teeth. Someone somewhere uploads a video, and within seconds, it’s trending on WhatsApp, Facebook, and even TV. Things have really changed.
So, what really is the difference between electronic and print media?
What is the Difference Between Electronic and Print Media
Print media includes newspapers, magazines, posters, and anything you can touch and read on paper. It does not need electricity or the internet to be shared or read.
Electronic media includes television, radio, social media, websites, and anything you can see or hear through a screen or speaker. It needs power or the internet to work.
In simple terms: print media sits in your hand, electronic media moves through wires and waves.
What is Print Media
Print media is the old method of sharing information. It is physical. You can hold it, fold it, smell the ink. It includes:
Newspapers
Magazines
Flyers
Posters
Books
People read it at their own pace, without any need for electricity.
What is Electronic Media
Electronic media is modern. It uses screens, sounds, and sometimes touch. It travels fast and reaches more people at the same time.
Examples include:
TV
Radio
Websites
Social media (Facebook, Instagram)
Podcasts
Online newspapers
It is powerful because it can use both sound and pictures at once.
Key Features of Print Media
Physical and can be touched
Mostly black and white, sometimes coloured
No sound or movement
Requires printing and distribution
Slower to produce and deliver
Easy to read again and again
Key Features of Electronic Media
Uses audio and visuals
Needs electricity or internet
Fast and immediate
Can be live or recorded
Interactive (people can comment or like)
Wide and quick reach
Print Media Examples You Can Relate To
The Guardian newspaper you see at the kiosk
Sunday Punch magazine in churches
Posters announcing political campaigns
Church bulletins
School newsletters
Electronic Media Examples You Use Every Day
Watching Channels TV at night
Listening to Wazobia FM on your way to work
Reading news on NaijaLoaded
Watching a skit on TikTok or Instagram
Joining a Facebook Live sermon
Advantages of Print Media
Easy to read without battery
Feels serious and trustworthy
Can be stored and kept for a long time
Useful in rural areas without internet
Less distraction, no pop-up ads
Disadvantages of Print Media
Slow to deliver news
Expensive to produce and print
Can’t be updated once printed
Needs space to store
Limited reach to people far away
Advantages of Electronic Media
Fast, even instant
Cheap to share once it’s online
Engaging through sounds and videos
Can reach millions at once
Easy to update or correct mistakes
Disadvantages of Electronic Media
Needs electricity or data
Too much fake news online
Can cause eye strain or addiction
Not everyone has smartphones
Some people can’t afford data or gadgets
Cost of Print Media vs Electronic Media
Printing costs are high. Paper, ink, transport—all add up. Selling is also limited.
Electronic media needs setup (laptops, cameras), but after that, sharing is almost free. Just one post can go viral.
Speed: Which One Shares News Faster
Electronic media wins this one. With one click, a story can reach the world. Print takes time to write, edit, print, and distribute.
Accessibility in Urban and Rural Areas
In towns and cities, electronic media is more common because of electricity and network. In remote villages, print media is still strong because it doesn’t need power.
Audience Reach and Targeting
A single radio or TV program can reach millions. Print has a smaller audience.
However, print media can be focused. For example, posters for a local event may reach just the right people.
Which Media is More Trusted
Older people trust print media more. They believe if it’s printed, it must be true. But younger people trust videos, pictures, and social proof like likes and comments.
Environmental Impact of Both Media
Print uses trees (for paper), which affects forests. Electronic media uses energy, which affects climate.
Each has its impact, so using them wisely is important.
Print vs Electronic Media in Nigerian Schools
Schools still use textbooks and handouts (print), but many now add projectors and computers (electronic). Some even teach online.
Which is Better for Marketing Small Businesses
Electronic media is better for reach and cost. A small bakery can post pictures on Facebook and get customers.
Print media is better for people without phones—like putting posters in a local market.
Which One is More Entertaining
Electronic media. It has music, comedy, videos, and interaction.
Print is more calm and serious. You read it slowly and quietly.
Use of Images and Sounds
Print only uses pictures. No sound.
Electronic media combines pictures, sound, and even movement (videos). This makes it more lively.
Print Media in Nigeria: What’s Left
Many newspaper vendors are closing. People don’t buy papers like before. But some still love the smell and feel of paper.
Print is not dead, but it is quiet now.
How Social Media Has Changed Electronic Media
Social media allows anyone to be a reporter. Before, only TV stations shared news. Now, your neighbour can post breaking news from their phone.
Can Print and Electronic Media Work Together
Yes. A newspaper can have a website. A radio station can post programs online. Many now mix both to reach more people.
Examples of Nigerian Print Media Houses
The Punch
Guardian
Examples of Nigerian Electronic Media Houses
Channels TV
AIT
NTA
Wazobia FM
TVC News
Why Some People Still Prefer Newspapers
They say it feels more real. No pop-ups. No distractions. You read with focus and peace.
Is Digital Media the Same as Electronic Media
Digital media is part of electronic media. But not all electronic media is digital.
TV is electronic, but it can also be analog.
Facebook is digital and electronic.
What is the Difference Between Print and Digital Media
Print is paper. Digital is screens.
Print is slow. Digital is fast.
Print you hold. Digital you swipe.
What is the Difference Between Print and Electronic Research
Print research is when you get your information from things you can hold in your hand. These include books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. You can find them in libraries, schools, or even buy them from stores. This kind of research takes time because you have to read through many pages to find what you need. Also, sometimes the information may be old, especially if the book was written a long time ago.
Electronic research is when you use the internet or digital tools to find information. You can search websites, watch videos, use online journals, or visit databases like Google Scholar. This type of research is faster. You can get information in seconds just by typing in what you’re looking for. It is also easy to update, so most of the time, the information is new or current.
One main difference is how you find the information. With print, you must look for a book, newspaper, or magazine. But with electronic research, you just need a phone, laptop, or computer that connects to the internet.
Print doesn’t need electricity or data. You can carry a book around and read it anytime—even when there’s no power. But with electronic research, you need light and internet to get what you’re looking for.
So, print is slower and works offline. Electronic is faster but needs power. Both are useful in different ways. In fact, when you use both together, you often get better results.
Want to understand more words like print, electronic, data, and research?
Read this post: Words Associated with Publishing & Printing Explained — It breaks everything down in a way that’s easy to understand.
Hope This Helps…Difference Between Electronic and Print Media
See, both have their strengths. Both still matter.
If you want to reach a local audience, print media works.
If you want speed, reach, and engagement, electronic media is your best bet.
Knowing the difference helps you choose better, write better, and understand the world around you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between print and electronic media?
Print is physical like newspapers. Electronic uses screens like TV and phones.
Is print media still relevant today?
Yes, especially in places without internet or for people who prefer reading on paper.
Can one be better than the other?
Each has its use. It depends on your goal and your audience.
Is reading online the same as reading newspapers?
Not really. Online reading is fast and full of distractions. Newspapers are calm and focused.
Why is electronic media more common now?
Because it’s faster, cheaper to spread, and easy to use with phones and internet.
How can I use both in my business?
You can print flyers and share them in your area—maybe on walls, shop doors, or at events. At the same time, you can post the same message on Facebook or Instagram to reach more people, even those far away.
This shows how both print and electronic media work together. Print is good for local use. Electronic is better for fast, wide sharing.
Examples of print include things like The Punch Newspaper or school textbooks used in Print Education.
Electronic media includes websites like Wikipedia and TV stations like Channels TV.