Sociology media: New Media

What is new media?

Media that uses digital technology e.g online gaming televisions , use of internet

When / How did the New Media emerge? What did it come from?

Emerged through adaptation and development of technology making media more accessible through computers and internet

Shifting away from broadcast (TV, Radio) to interactive media

What are different characteristics of the new media?

Digitalization

Technological convergence

Economic convergence

Interactivity and participation

Cultural convergence

Choice

Collective intelligence

Who explained technological convergence?

Jenkins :

Your iphone is like a Swiss army knife e.g torch , calculator, timer

Different types of media have converged within a single type of device e.g phone where as before they were separate e.g radio , music player

What is digitalization of the media

Information of all formats is converted into binary code and transmitted across the internet

What is economic convergence?

New media characteristics where separate industries e.g music, film, communication have merge and collaborate and operate across multiple platforms e.g Disney operates across multiple digital platforms e.g cinema, streamed , mobile games, merch

What is interactivity and participation?

New media characteristic which describes how it is two ways, allowing exchange of information between audience and content creator as they can respond to each other

There is no distinction/ barrior between producer and consumer anymore

Who talks about choice in the media and who says it?

Boyle says

Media has evolved more supply lead to demand lead

Viewers can choose what to consume and when

There is no longer restraint from TV channels

(choose : Netflix, Hulu, Panama etc)

What is collective intelligence?

Enhanced ability for group to problem solve and make decisions

Media allows individuals to combine skills and knowledge to challenge pre existing ideas and shift ownership and organization of media

E.g doctors can de bunk medial facts

What is a neophiliacs?

Individuals that are optimistic about the spread and influence of new media

They believe it plays a positive role in society

What is a cultural pessimists?

Believe NM benefits have been exaggerated. NM plays a damaging role in society

They also argue that media has always been interactive e.g voting for TV shows and sending letters in

What is a benefit of widening in choice of media?

Hundreds and thousands of satellite TV channels , websites and news sources

- Creating more competition between creators and publishers thus leading to better quality content

E commerce revolution allows consumers to compare prices which increase competition reducing prices

How is GB news an example of choice in the media?

GB news has the most fines for spreading false information

As choice is available people are able to choose from other reliable news sources

What are negative factors of the widening of choice in new media?

E commerce revolution has increased cookies tracking online activity

-Leading to targeted advertisement, encouraging consumers into consumerism and promoting false needs

Most channels play repeats creating the illusion of choice

Dumbing down of content has occurred as less money is spent on quality and more on quantity

What is an example of content being dumbed down?

Media is making easier characters (to understand) so people are able to understand the story line while being on there phones

How does repetition create the illusion of choice?

by playing repeats you preference in content changes. Then you think that you prefer the content you’re watching but you’ve been conditioned to like it e.g friends episodes

How has the new media created more media participation?

Interactive audience as they are given more opportunities to participate in media culture

e.g citizen journalism , blogging , digital TV

What is the digital divide?

Media access is based on CAGE (region instead of ethnicity), It is not accessible to everyone’s

Creating a larger divide in wealth and knowledge as rich people are able to use it to innovate creating a larger gap between them and those that cant access it

= national and global inequality

E.g old people less likely to be able to use tech

How does New media allow for greater democracy?

Provides people with the opportunities to access information to have a role in society e.g funding of local council

Gives people a voice where they are able to vocalize there experiences or opinions

e.g GCSE content, political content

How is the New Media a threat to democray?

Enhances the power of the elites as most media becomes controlled by global conglomerates e.g meta and google

They are able to influence your preference as they have large amount of influence through media consumption (meta owns - WhatsApp, insta , Facebooks)

What does keen argue about New Media threatening democracy?

Blogging and vlogging is dominated by narcissists and self promoters

This is a bad influence on consumers but also allows miss information to be believed as influences pose as if they understand a topic they don’t

-Young people are passive researchers online because of easy access to facts, making it easier for misinformation to be spread as they dont check

What did McLuhan say about the Global Village ?

Through the NM time and space has become blurred allowing people from around the world to connect and interact instantly

This is because its available 24/7 it can also replace physical hang out spaces e.g group chats

Communication can also be through time zones as a result of digitalization making it easier

How did McLuhan say that NM can aid democracy?

Promotes cultural diversity and breaks down barriers and cultural differences

Movements can be supported globally e.g child labor in Congo through media awareness has been spread and people are boycotting

What does lack of regulation allow?

Due to media being developed constantly and policies ad laws taking years to make there is a lack of regulation

This allows bias , fake news, internet crime , dornography restrictions and racism to go unchecked

How is cultural imperialism evident in new media ?

Western media spreads its values and norms through advertisement and e commerce. This can lead to the destruction of local cultures

E.g English being the main language can cuase native languages to die out

Western beaty standards are spread through advisements increasing the number of unethical cosmetic procedures e.g eyelid surgery ,bleaching