MEDIA - Should we be concerned about the New Media (Cultural Pessimists)? Flashcards
What are the 8 Different Views given by Cultural Pessimists regarding the view of New Media?
- ‘Not So New’
- Lack of Regulation
- Domination by Media Conglomerates
- Chaos
- Reinforcing Elite Power
- Decline in Popular Culture
- Commercialisation
- Alone Together
What 2 Sociologists look into the ‘Not So New’ View of the New Media?
Conrnford and Robins!
(‘Not So New’) What do Cornford and Robins say about the New Media, in regards to the View that it is ‘Not So New’?
They say that ‘old’ technology, such as TV landlines, are still useful in New Media today!
They also say that the only ‘new’ thing about the New Media is its SPEED! Information can be accessed in real time, as seen with 9/11!
They say that the NEW MEDIA is just DEFINING and EXPANDING ON TRADITIONAL MEDIA!
How does the ‘Lack of Regulation’ link to the Cultural Pessimists View of the New Media?
Cultural Pessimists say that there is easier access in today’s society to pornography and to racist and homophobic sites, which take the freedom of speech too far, and can lead to hate crimes!
They say that the New Media has led to an increase in cyber-crime, cyber-bullying and the trolling of minority groups online?
They debate whether all of this is the ‘price worth paying’ for access to the New Media!
What Sociologist looks into the Domination by Media Conglomerates?
Jenkins!
(Domination by Media Conglomerates) What does Jenkins say about the New Media, in regards to the View that it is Dominated by Media Conglomerates?
They say that transnational media conglomerates have undermined the potential for media democracy. An example of a giant media conglomerate would include Google and Meta.
Jenkins says that most of the New Media has developed due to conglomerate investments –> This was exacerbated by Cross-Media Ownership in the 80s and Technological Convergence!
What Sociologist looks into Chaos?
Keen!
(Chaos) What does Keen say about the New Media, in regards to the View that it is Chaotic?
Keen suggests that the Internet has no moral code, and that the truth is selective online!
Keen says that:
- Sites, like Facebook, are places of narcissistic, self-promotion!
- User-generated sites, like Wikipedia, are unreliable and biased!
- Twitter and blogs are unchecked and full of fake news and trolling!
- Cultural Illiteracy = People are less engaged in real life, they have poor attention-solving skills and short attention spans.
What 3 Sociologists look into Reinforcing Elite Power?
Cornford and Robins!
Jenkins!
(Reinforcing Elite Power) What do Cornford and Robins say about the New Media, in regards to it Reinforcing Elite Power?
They say that media corporations aim to MONOPOLISE strategic links within the Mew Media, via takeovers and deals –> They aim higher and they aim to takeover more of the New Media!
(Reinforcing Elite Power) What does Jenkins say about the New Media, in regards to it Reinforcing Elite Power?
He says that not all participants in the New Media are created equal!
In 2015 = The British Secret Services were claimed to have used technology to access people’s private information, which depicts the power and scope that the Elite have over everyone else!
What Sociologist looks into the Decline in Popular Culture?
Harvey!
(Decline in Popular Culture) What does Harvey say about the New Media, in regards to it leading to a Decline in Popular Culture?
Digital TV may provide more channels, but some channels are filled with cheap, imported films and reality TV!
Harvey says that we have ‘more choice, but poor choice’!
TV culture transmits a ‘candy-floss culture’’ TV speaks to everyone in general and no in particular!
ITV and BBC have been victims to Tabloidisation, due to Competition with SKY and other Satellite TV Channels –> This means that there have increased the amount of Reality TV shown on their channels, which then leads to a decrease in news coverage and news documentaries!
What 2 Sociologists look at Commercialisation?
Cornford and Robins!
(Commercialisation) What do Cornford and Robins say about the New Media, in regards to Commercialisation?
They say that New Media technology produces more choice for the consumer!
However, they say that more choice may actually be a bad thing! EG: There is consumer surveillance online, such as ‘cookies’; they say that by agreeing to ‘cookies’, there may be a chance that people’s data starts to be used to generate data and enhance future sales for different conglomerates.
This then encourages consumerism and materialism and wealth!
