The Internet amplifies but does not create news stories

On BBC TV last night, Newsnight on BBC 2, in the context of the item about Peter Oborne resigning from the Daily Telegraph (see what he has to say about it: Why I have resigned from the Telegraph), Claire Enders of Enders Analysis had this to say:

We [Enders Analysis] did a survey last year which found that Internet media essentially amplifies stories that are created in traditional media, actually the total amount of original material had shrunk since 2010, despite a massive amplification of the vast number news sources, so 200 websites are accessible.

This idea of digital technology and the Internet amplifying information is useful. It is related to the idea information inflation, which I have written about before. They are effects which lead people to get excited about there being more information around than ever before, but I suggest that it is an illusion that there is more around.