The New Media Flashcards
What is the new media?
This refers to the screen based, digital technology involving the integration of images, texts and sound, and to the technology used for the distribution and consumption of digitised media content. While the traditional media involves different devices for different media content, the new media involves technological convergence where a single device can be used to consume a variety of types of media.
What is old/traditional media?
Old/traditional media is media that is often physical and that you have to go out of your way to buy or use. You can’t just use a phone for it all. You go out for your newspaper, you come back and sit down watching TV, then you get up to put the radio on.
What has technological convergence led to?
Jenkins argues technological convergence has led to cultural convergence, which is:
- The way new media users interact with a media content e.g. most individuals use the internet now for shopping.
- The way new media users interact with other members of society, e.g. via social networking sites.
What are the 5 defining features of new media?
- Digital - This means ‘using computers’, where all data is converted into binary code which can then be stored and distributed via screen based products. This allows for technological convergence.
- Interactivity - People can engage or interact in some way.
a. Participatory culture - media content is shaped by consumer involvement. Consumers produce content which produces consume and incorporate into new media texts. Media audiences are now involved in information-production rather than information-reception. This gives consumers more control and the circulation of new media content depends heavily on consumers’ active participation.
b. Collective intelligence - creates a ‘buzz’ between users, who have a range of knowledge instantly accessible. No-one knows everything but each of us knows something. New media enables people to put all their individual knowledge together to create shared intelligence. Jenkins suggests this is a new source of media power which potentially represents an alternative to that of media owners. - Hypertextuality - Web of connections between different parts of the media. This
- Dispersal - Less centralised and more adaptive to individual choices. The production of media content is now becoming dispersed throughout the population, rather than being limited to employees in the media industry. For example, people upload their own videos to the internet and it was estimated that there were more than 600 million blogs in the blogosphere in 2021.
- Virtuality - This refers to the way s people can now immerse themselves in completely unreal, interactive experiences in virtual worlds created by new technology, e.g. computer games. People can also create imaginary identities in online communication and networking sites like Twitter.
What does this divide in media create?
A digital underclass.
What impacts on new media use according to Jones?
Jones agrees with Boyle that age impacts on the use of new media, but believes that within the younger generation, social class also has an impact on new media use.
He found that 16-24 year olds from disadvantaged backgrounds were relatively infrequent users of the internet.
The middle and upper classes are the biggest users of the new media as they can more easily afford it. Those in the poorest social classes have the least access to the internet and other new media at home. These individuals are digitally excluded.
What did Helsper say was forming?
Helsper showed a digital underclass was forming. These are people who tend to be unemployed, living in poverty and/or less well educated who are disadvantaged in comparison to those who have full access to digital and new media. Even when these groups gain access to this technology, they lack the confidence and skills to make the most of the opportunities it offers.
Those who lack access or the skills to use it experience a form of social exclusion. The class differences extends across all new media. The middle class are more likely to have more advanced smartphones, whilst the middle class tend to use social networks such as LinkedIn.
How does age have an impact on new media use?
Boyle points out that the younger generation have grown up with new media, and been taught how to use it through peers, at school, and through the internet at home by themselves.
They are more likely to consume media through a variety of formats, e.g. watching TV on their mobiles or tablets rather than just a TV set.
Those aged 16-24 are over 10 times more likely to go online via a mobile than those aged 55+.
What did OFCOM find?
OFCOM found young people (16-24), compared to older people:
- Are greater internet users and spend more time online.
- Are kore likely to have internet at home.
- Are more likely to use and own a smartphone.
- Are more aware of and attached to new technology.
- Are more likely to see the internet as a pastime.
- Are more likely to get news from mobile devices.
How does gender impact on new media use?
There are some significant differences between males and females in the way they use new media. OFCOM found:
- Games consoles and tablets are more popular among males.
- E-readers are more popular among women for reading.
- Males are more likely to use a smartphone.
- Females are more likely to report high addiction to their mobile phones.
- Females are more likely to use their mobiles to make calls and for texting.
- Females are slightly more likely to use social networking sites.
What did Li and Kirkup say about gender?
Li and Kirkup suggested there are 2 global gender based cultures in internet use. They found significant gender differences in internet experience, attitudes, usage and self-confidence. Men are more likely to be positive about the internet, spend more time on it and are more confident in their use of it.
Women, however, were more likely to underestimate their ability to use the internet and used it more for studying. Women, therefore, see the internet more as a tool than as a toy.
Li and Kirkup studied the use of the internet by Chinese and British students, and found two global gender based cultures.
How does location impact on new media use?
The most significant digital divide in terms of location is between information-rich and information-poor countries and this has led to a global digital underclass. New media is used most heavily in the Western world with many people living in poorer countries lacking access due to poverty. The poorest countries lack the resources to build the digital networks required, and private businesses won’t provide them as there aren’t enough customers willing or able to pay enough for them to make a profit. Language and culture can also cause problems as about 80% of websites are in English.
What is the cultural optimist/neophiliac view of new media?
The cultural optimist view sees new media as playing a positive role in society. This is held by neophiliacs who like and embrace new technology and use new media. Everything is now available and accessible through different devices. Provides consumers with more information and choices than ever before. Consumers also have the opportunities to participate in using and producing media content.
What does McNair argue?
McNair argues anyone with a computer/smartphone and internet connection can set up a blog or website which creates greater opportunities to report, criticise and comment than ever before. For example, mobile phone footage in 2009 provided evidence that police brutality contributed to the death of Ian Tomlinson.
Protest and campaigning websites, e.g. 38 Degrees promote a culture of questioning, challenging and holding individuals and organisations to account on a worldwide basis that reaches audiences rapidly. For example, new media and technology were crucial in the Arab Spring. Video and photos shot on mobile phones showing evidence of violent acts by some oppressive regimes in the Arab world were uploaded and viewed by a global audience and the global media. Twitter and Facebook were also used to coordinate and publicise protests.
What are other great things about the new media?
- The internet also gives a voice to those who would otherwise be unheard because traditional media doesn’t report on their views. Internet has also been used by hactivist networks such as Anonymous which have hacked corporate, government and terrorist websites.
- Social media enables news and information from a wide range of sources to be brought to the attention of people who have missed them which can allow people to gain information themselves rather than relying on others for it. For example, people can check their health conditions through websites like NHS Choices.
- (McLuhan: world becomes a global village) New media promotes cultural diversity, national barriers are reduced, the boundaries between the global and the local are blurred and different people and cultures are brought together promoting greater understanding between different cultures.
- It enables people to build their identities and make lifestyle choices in a media saturated society. New media has opened up new channels for communication which has enhanced existing face to face interactions. Factors like gender etc, combined with geographical location might have once meant some conversations would have been impossible. People can also construct alternative identities and social networking sites can enhance social networks, e.g. re-establishing contact with old friends.
