I currently doing a lot of research for another subject into the failures of the traditional media system and what social media has meant for increasing political participation. I was really happy to discover that many of the ideas we've been exploring in DIGC202 has helped inform my discussion, in particular Jenkins' theories on participatory culture and a shift toward many-to-many communication structures. Here's a run down of some of my research:
Politics and the media are intricately linked, and it follows that declining levels in voter turnout reflect a failure in the current system. The one-to-many communication structure of old media – television, newspapers and magazines – proscribe the viewer with a spectator role. Moreover, extreme commercialization and commoditization of mass media has resulted in a disillusioned and distrustful public. The Internet, and social media in particular, now offer many-to-many communication on a global scale, which is a fundamental shift from the old media model. People are now able to access information from the 'bottom up' and the success of social media to promote engaged politics arises out of an environment where audiences seek alternative media sources because traditional ones have failed them, and the citizen-citizen structure of digital networks are a welcome change from the centralised journalism of media conglomerates.
While different sources have informed my discussion, a very influential text that is referenced by many authors is Castell's The Information Age, which is the last book in a trilogy that dissects the network society, globalization, technology dominance. Extremely relevant to all the topics in this course!
Great post! I also think its great that information can be accessed from the 'bottom up'. Not only does it allow for a wide variety of opinions but it allows for information first hand (where big news teams haven't yet made it to the scene eg: Chile earthquakes etc)
ReplyDeleteSocial media is giving a place for the 'citizen journalists' to make their mark and in some cases being the person to communicate with in situations. Think about it though.... imagine if there wasn't these sort of platforms for citizens to make their mark, we would be without alot of crucial information in particular with natural disasters etc..
Politics and Media are linked out of necessity. Without the media, politicians could easily see themselves out of a job however without politicians help a journalist could easily be out of their own.
ReplyDeleteDespite the "distrust" with traditional media research has shown that people still visit the large news corporations websites for information which is counter intuitive. I honestly believe there is simply too much "research"" into a medium that no one really seems to understand. Another example of technological bias to say that traditional media's failure in politics is why voting is declining.