Decline in Media Freedom

Could you imagine if the Australian government restricted our access to Facebook, blogging websites or phone lines?

Just like many of you reading this blog, I am known to have posted a few comments about my political beliefs on blogging websites and joining political groups on Facebook. But imagine if the Australian Government limited our access to certain media technologies because our political expressions were being posted nationally and internationally. Imagine...


Shirky (2011) states that, during the impeachment trial of Philippine President Joseph Estrada, many Philippine citizens were unhappy and a protest was arranged by forwarded text messages reading, "Go 2 EDSA. Wear blk." He continued to explain that because of 'the public's ability to coordinate such a massive and rapid response -- close to seven million text messages were sent that week' (Shirky, 20110) that governments have began restricting access to certain media technologies and limiting internet freedom.


Are you aware of the Chinese government taking huge precautions and applying online barriers within China because of political issues that have occurred, just like in the Phillippines? 'These barriers include tightening control over the Web through restrictive laws, employing computerized filters to screen and eliminate certain content, and increased monitoring by government personnel and Web site operators' (Esarey and Qiang, 2009). Egypt has also applied barriers by disconnection phones lines and the internet, to stop comments and images, which reveal a wave of anti-government violence, being sent and visible nationally and internationally (Mullany, 2011). 

Yes, the governments have the right to be concerned about what political opinions are posted online and through media technologies, but do you really think they have the right to block our access to social media platforms and disconnect our phone lines?

(SodaHead, 2011)

Reference List


Esarey, A. Quiang, X. 2009. "Digital Communication and Political Change in China". International Journal of Communications 5 (2011). 298 - 319. Accessed March 26, 2011. http://ijoc.org/ojs/index.php/ijoc/article/viewFile/688/525 


NyDailyNews. 2011."Egyptian uprising plays out on social media sites despite government's Internet restrictions". Accessed March 26, 2011. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2011/01/29/2011-01-29_rock_in_1_hand_cell_phone_in_the_other.html?r=news 


Shirky, C. (2011). The Political Power of Social Media: Technology, the Public Sphere, and Political Change in Foreign Affairs. Volume 90, Issue 1;  pg. 28, 15 pgs. 


SodaHead, 2011. "Thousands of Protestors flood Cairo: Who is to Blame?". Image. Accessed March 26, 2011.

http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/thousands-of-protesters-flood-cairo-who-is-to-blame/question-1478713/ link=ibaf&imgurl=http://images.sodahead.com/slideshows/000004905/744510977_protest_in_egypt-36314206186_xlarge.jpeg&q=protest%2Bin%2Begypt%2Bimages 

Is media convergence, converging you?

Games, movies, music and television are just a few activities we all  consume. However, how we consume this entertainment has dramatically changed. It was once exciting to watch a film at the cinemas or listen to music on the radio, but as media technologies develop, consumers have become demanding and time conscious. 

Can you imagine if you couldn't use the internet, listen to music or download movies on your computer?

(The Spider 2009)

As more options of entertainment become available and trends change, so does the importance of media convergence. Media convergence as reiterated by Leong (2010) and explained by Turow (2009) is, "the coming together of computer technologies as the basis for production, distribution, and even exhibition in many media industries”. Media convergence on your computer provides one platform with access to unlimited entertainment options.

Madhur Singhs' article 'Bollywood Viral Video's', explores the reasons for using the internet as a way of streaming films online. The article explains that Bollywood films have a large fan base with the majority being Indians working abroad. In order to reach this fan base quickly and effectively they have utilized the internet as well as the cinemas. Barjatya estimates in the article that "eventually every Bollywood film will be released simultaneously in theaters and online' (Singh, 2008). This proves the demand for watching films online and the benefits. Singh proves that, 'within a week of Vivah's premiere, the film had been viewed online more than a million times. The Web release would eventually bring in $4.5 million — nearly a quarter of the picture's total earnings' (Singh, 2008). 

The Ipod, Iphone and other media technologies are following this media convergence trend, enabling users to access the internet, communicate via text and calling, watch television and listen to music all from one platform. 

Media convergence is now a necessity

References:

Leong, S. 2011. 'KCB206, New media: Internet, Self and Beyond': Week 3 Lecture notes. Accessed March 17, 2011. http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_74007_1%26url%3D

Singh, M. (2008).  Bollywood's Viral Video in Time International (Canada Edition), Vol. 171, Issue 14 . Available online at:http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1713342,00.html

The Spider. 2009. 'Media Convergence - things ain't what they used to be'. Image. Accessed March 18, 2011. http://whs-media-dept.blogspot.com/2009/11/media-convergence-things-aint-what-they.html 

Turow, S. (2009) “A world of blurred media boundaries,” Media Today: An Introduction to Mass Communication, New York: Routledge, pp. 188-229. Available from CMD: 5 -18 

Facebook Connects Everyone

Social networking sites have become a search engine for people to find other people, whether they know, have heard, or want to be friends with them.

After reading 'Public Displays of Connection' (Donath and Boyd 2004), it proved my theory that people are relying on their 'online identity' to stay in touch, expand their friendship base and follow others' daily activities. 100 million active users joining Facebook in 6 months in 2010 (Wauters 2010), suggests that this social networking site is providing users with social benefits beyond face to face contact! This online culture is growing and is easily accessible.

The fact that social networking sites allow users to expand their friendship base has many benefits but the online activity also increases the risk of stalking, unwanted connections and a space for pedophiles to thrive. However, my real interest is in the way businesses utilises Facebook profiles in assessing job applicants, potential promotions and sourcing personal information. From personal experience, a potential boss has stalked my Facebook page and when I asked why, Brad Hilton responded "to find out information about you before I shortlisted potential employees" (Personal Interview, January 25, 2011). Initially, I found it quite intrusive but in retrospect, I believe it's an easy and readily available tool that can provide a lot of information about someone.

How do you feel about your boss having access to your online 'life' and does Facebook present a valid representation of you?


References
1. Donath, J. and boyd, d. (2004). Public displays of connection.   BT Technology Journal , volume 22 (4): 71-82
2. Wauters, R. (2010). Zuckerberg Makes it Official: Facebook Hits 500 Million members. Accessed March 12, 2011. http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/21/facebook-500-million/