netmiðla

Netmiðlar is the Icelandic term for online media—media channels and activities that distribute content primarily via the Internet. This includes online news portals, blogs, podcasts, video and audio platforms, social networks, and streaming services. Netmiðlar can be commercial or non-profit and may operate independently or as extensions of traditional media companies. Compared with traditional print, radio, and television, netmiðlar emphasize digital distribution, interactivity, and data-driven audience measurement, enabling rapid publishing, hyperlinks, user feedback, and personalized content.

The development of netmiðlar followed the growth of the Internet from the 1990s onward. Early online news sites and portals expanded to include multimedia content. The rise of social media and mobile access increased user-generated content and audience reach, while algorithms and analytics influenced content distribution and monetization.

Economic models vary: advertising is common, along with subscriptions, paywalls, sponsorships, and crowdfunding. Some outlets rely on a mix of revenue streams, while others operate as part of larger media groups or non-profit organizations.

Ethical and regulatory considerations include misinformation, privacy, copyright, transparency of funding and sponsorship, and editorial independence. Netmiðlar play a significant role in shaping public discourse, information access, and media literacy, and they interact with traditional media in a convergent media landscape.

Netmiðlar are discussed in the context of online media and digital journalism.