Marxist perspective of digital communication

Question 1

What are we supposed to believe about digital communication ?

Answer 1

Digital communication can lead to a greater equality

Question 2

What did Cornford and Robbin say about what we are supposed to believe about digital communication ?

Answer 2

• Doubtful of the claims
• Say that people who own and control digital media are capitalist
• These people only care about making profits and control the masses

Question 3

What is the marxist view on Media Convergence ?

Answer 3

• Marxists say that this means that media has an even greater platform for shaping and encouraging people to accept capitalism
• People don’t question the inequalities

Question 4

What is the de-regulation of the media and digita communication ?

Answer 4

• Lack of regulation in digital media because they are owned by private companies which means that there is a lack of social control
• The internet is a way of entertaining people
• Balance between sleep and screens has now tipped

Question 5

How does digital communication provide a new form of surveillance ?

Answer 5

• A form of subtle observation as a way to control and regulate people in the interests of the wealthy
• Private companies gather information on peoples use of social media without consent
• Cornford and Robbins = a way of capitalism controlling people more subtly

Question 6

What was the Snowden report ?

Answer 6

• A report by an American intelligence officer
• Found there was widespread misuse of surveillance of digital forms of communication
• The US and British government had access to personal and private communications with no consent

Question 7

What is media ownership ?

Answer 7

New forms of media reinforce and maintain inequalities in society and ideologically control people in new and subtle ways.

Question 8

What are the evaluations of the marxist perspective ?

Answer 8

• Marxists aren’t just focusing on social class anymore - looking at other views as well
• Dgital communications allows people to challenge the ruling class through interactive participation
• Examples of where digital communications has led to social protest (e.g Black lives Matter movement)