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Among these elements, a distinction could be made between those
that involve the reader and the interface as opposed to those that involve
more than one reader. Bucy (2004) defines these two distinct kinds of
interactivity as user-to-system interactivity and user-to-user interactivity.

Similarly, Chung (2008) divides interactivity into human interactivity
and medium interactivity. Forums and chat rooms are examples of
human / user-to-user interactivity, whereas using the navigation tools is

an example of medium / user-to-system interactivity. Bucy (2004)
includes customization to user-to-system interactivity. Chung (2008)
points to the fact that these different types of interactivity attract
different types of audiences; therefore having multiple interactive

elements is a good approach for newspapers.
For e-newspapers, interactive elements provide a competitive
advantage by inviting readers to the page, keeping them there for a

longer period of time, and making them return at a later time (Bucy,
2004). Readers, on the other hand, enjoy interactivity because of the
freedom to filter the news according to their own interests and the

opportunity to evaluate and give feedback on the stories, which creates a
feeling of empowerment (Spyridou & Veglis, 2008). In contrast,
journalists might have a different standing. According to Domingo

(2008), the very basic of interactive elements which give power to the
audience to voice their opinion does not fit in the basics of journalism,
where the expertise is the source of reliability. Domingo’s study (2008)
shows that journalists and news creators generally see participation as a

problem rather than one part of the news creation.
The ability of interactive elements to give voice to ordinary people
and to connect them to one another is clearly an empowering factor.

However, customization, which is cherished as another empowering
novelty brings some questions. Unlike user-to-user (or human)
interactivity, customization as user-to-system interactivity might serve in
isolating individuals rather than connecting them. Schoenbach (2007)

points to the fact that the ability to select and filter the news in the way
that one wishes does not necessarily empower the individual or the
society. Rather, it enlarges the gap between those who are actively

participating and interested in the policies and events surrounding them
and those who are not.
An overview of the history and current state of e-newspapers in

regards to design, interactivity and content reveals that they are at the
beginning of their life as a medium. In regards to their design, e-