The aim of this module was to explore different cultural, economic, technological and social that try to explain the extensive effects that have occurred to society as a result of the general use of new media forms. I have learnt a lot about these different effects through the weekly blogs I have done.
I have learnt that video games are changing society extensively. Over the past fifty years they have evolved into one of the most popular forms of media entertainment. Games even have an impact on journalism! Furthermore, society appears to have been taken in by the world of gaming with individuals like Jane McGonigal arguing that ‘reality is broken’ and that gaming is the answer to ‘global happiness’. It has been interesting to see how gaming has come to impact society in such major ways in recent years, more than it was ever believed possible.
I have also learnt about the digital divide that is evident in society today as a result of new media forms. The gap between those who have access to technology and those deprived of access has widened considerably over recent years. There are many people in the world who are at a great disadvantage as they cannot or do not have access to new technologies such as the internet and the ranging opportunities they bring. These people are ‘socially excluded’ and are on the wrong side of the ‘digital divide’.
I have considered the ways in which technological innovation has effected out privacy – possibly putting it at risk. Hacking has advanced, and even with ‘ethical’ hacking it can never really be known what a hacker’s true intentions are. With technology always advancing, hackers are always going to find a way to breach systems. Thus, every society’s privacy is always likely to be at risk so long as hackers have ways to break through even the most advanced systems.
I have learnt about how the social media is being used in some societies to express anger about relevant situations such as starvation, unemployment and corruption. Social networking has provided a way for individuals within society to get their messages across to almost everyone in the world. Facebook has become a battleground for authorities in Tunisia and web activists. In more general terms, social networking sites have become centre stage for the “marginalized Arab masses”.
Individuals are using social media to plan protests and spread pictures of police brutality etc. On the other hand, in some countries social media is helping stop revolutions and rioting, in attempts to keep their governments safe. Police use social networking sites to monitor activities and try and prevent them before they happen. Either way, social networking has had huge effects on society.
Society today has also seen an increase in citizen journalism as a result of new media technology as it has made it easier for ordinary people to become ‘citizen journalists’ and for others to access citizen journalism. Citizens now seem to be the ones that are reporting breaking news. With social networking sites, and the increasing prevalence of mobile phones, citizens can now report on stories as soon as they happen especially if they are present at the scene.
New advancements have also led to an increase in the fear of cyber warfare. Governments and militaries all across the world are preparing themselves for ‘the beginning of a new and dangerous era of cyber warfare’. The actual effects of cyber warfare remain to be seen!
How stories are told has also changed. The ways in which data is used to tell stories has changed drastically with the advancement of digital journalism. Data and numbers are manipulated by journalists to get them the results significant to them. These days, journalists are required to have specialist skills, to do with coding and development, or numeracy and understanding especially if they are writing stories that will be published online. This means that society is getting information given to them in different ways now.
This module has also made me really think about whether the media is biased or not. I have come to believe that it is very difficult for journalists to obtain objectivity or impartiality anyway. All journalists have a political point of view. This is not something they automatically leave behind when they step into their job. I would like to believe that respectable journalists are well informed about the subjects they are covering. In believing this I would further argue that it is near-impossible to be well informed about a subject and not have an opinion.
And last but not least, I have learned how to blog post effectively and have mastered it (Only joking). I really have learnt a lot about the digital culture!
