The New Media

Question 1

Characteristics of the New Media:

Answer 1

1.) Accessibility:
- there’s been a growth in new methods of communication
- digital media can be shared quickly, easily and often for free

2.) Convergence:
- One digital device can access lots of different media content.
- Eg.- Your phone can play music, visit a website and read an e-book

3.) Increased User Control:
- The audience has more control
- Eg. Streaming and catchup services now give users the control over what programmes they want to watch and when

4.) More Interactivity:
- The audience is directly engaged with the media
- Eg. You can contact a live news radio through social media, or use the red button on the Tv to vote on a programme

Question 2

Arguments that the New Media is “Revolutionary”:

Answer 2

Cultures , Economies & Personalities have been changed
- Eg. Our attitudes towards privacy have been completely changed; people now share their personal details on social media

Question 3

Arguments that the New Media is “Evolutionary”:

Answer 3

Comford & Robbins
- Society has only evolved from technology that already existed
- Interactivity isn’t exclusive to the New Media
—> [Eg, people have been writing into news paper columns, and shared their views for years]
- The only aspect that is entirely new is the advancement in the speed of communication

Question 4

Analysis of the New Media being “Evolutionary”:

Answer 4

• Comford & Robbins wrote before more “revolutionary” inventions like smartphone and social media were developed.
• The New Media is constantly developing so studies quickly become outdated

Question 5

Who are the “Digital Underclass”?

Answer 5

People who cant access the New Media

Question 6

How are the “Digital Underclass” excluded from the New Media?

Answer 6

Registering to vote and applying for a passport are often done online, so lack of access to internet creates a barrier to these services

Question 7

Why are the “Digital Underclass” excluded from society?

Answer 7

The lack access to digital services
- Some rural communities have limited access to internet/ wifi
- People In poverty can’t afford to pay for broadband or new media devices

Question 8

What are the 2 different attitudes towards the New Media?
—> [ who discovered this? ]

Answer 8

• Cultural Pessimists
• Neophiliacs
  —> [ Curran & Seaton]

Question 9

Do Cultural Pessimists view the New Media negatively or positively?

Answer 9

Negatively

Question 10

Cultural Pessimist attitudes towards the New Media:

Answer 10

1.) The New Media are controlled by the state
- Reduces everyones privacy
- Eg. in 2013, Edward Snowdon revealed that the American state security were secretly hacking peoples emails

2.) Consumer benefits come at a high cost:
- Retailers have been criticised for exploiting their work force and not paying taxes, so they can offer services such as online shopping and next day delivery, without loosing profit

3.) Freedom of information means that offensive views can be spread
- Eg. Misogynistic, Racist, Homophobic material is easily shared on platforms such as twitter and instagram

Question 11

Do Neophiliacs view the New Media negatively or positively?

Answer 11

Positively

Question 12

Attitudes of Neophiliacs towards the New Media:

Answer 12

1.) The development of new technology has led to increased choice
- Eg. the growth of online shopping means you can shop around to find the best deals on different websites
- Companies market their products on international sharing platforms, like Instagram or Facebook, so customers can buy products from all around the world

2.) Ability to share information makes society more democratic
- People are exposed to lots of different views

3.) Inventions like satellite TV means viewers can access TV content from around the world
- Some shows become global successes (Eg. Game of Thrones)
- This creates a sense of shared culture