More than three decades have passed, and television's hold on the public is still strong. Technological advances have out paced many expectations, and the field of journalism has, in turn, changed. In 1963, the Internet did not exist, and personal computers did not exist in American homes. Stanford University statistics for February 2000 show today's U.S. Internet population totals between 65 million and 100 million. Additionally, people who use the Internet 10 hours a week or more report a 65 percent decrease in the use of traditional media.
Many people turn to their computers in addition to, or instead of, other mediums for news.
Considering that the Internet is in its infancy, these numbers are significant. The days surrounding the death of young Kennedy show just how significant the Internet has become. John Kennedy Jr. was born Nov. 25, 1960. His birth was a media event in itself and press coverage was worldwide. Consequently, some found it ironic that the man so pursued by the media would eventually come to join its ranks.