This chapter examines the existing literature relevant to the integrated newsroom and explores key issues pertinent to this field. In line with this area of research, it singles out four entities particularly relevant to the online news production process - the product, producer, audience and publisher. Limited studies have examined the World Wide Web (WWW), and its impact on journalism and journalists' work practices holistically. Since this research area is in its infancy, the author felt it necessary to give the reader as complete an understanding of the issues surrounding the Internet as possible. This background aims to provide a foundational understanding of online journalism and the WWW, and to assist readers in grasping the accelerating pace of this new technology and sensing its vibrancy.