Prospects and Future of Electronic Publishing

Abstract

This study examines the prospects and future of electronic publishing by analyzing the technological and cultural transformations brought about by computers and the internet in the production, circulation, preservation, and reception of knowledge. It begins with an overview of the development of the internet and its major services, including e-mail, newsgroups, web search, search engines, and the World Wide Web. The study then defines electronic publishing, outlines its characteristics and fields, and discusses its relationship to e-books, electronic journals, databases, and digital libraries. It highlights the advantages of electronic publishing, such as rapid access, reduced cost, multimedia integration, broader dissemination, and expanded readership, while also addressing challenges related to copyright, intellectual property, documentation, long-term preservation, technological dependency, the digital divide, and the weakness of Arabic digital content. The study further explores the impact of electronic publishing on literary and journalistic forms, particularly the digital novel, interactive essay, and online journalism, emphasizing changes in writing, reading, and reception. It concludes that electronic publishing does not necessarily abolish print publishing, but reshapes the relationships among author, publisher, reader, and cultural institution, requiring Arab institutions to develop policies, legislation, and technological infrastructures capable of supporting knowledge production and protecting creative work.