Today, in the digital age, technology is
constantly changing and is affecting the way individual’s view and use media. This
is occurring because of the process of globalisation, which Thomson states ‘refers
to the growing interconnectedness of different parts of the world, a process
which gives rise to complex forms of interaction and interdependency’, (cited
in Rantanen, 2005). These complex forms of interaction and interdependency,
along with the rapid development of digital technology means the media landscape
is changing. People are no longer relying on traditional media, as they are
turning to online sources to access information and to become involved in
conversations around the world. One such online source is blogs, which are
becoming more and more popular everyday and can be argued, are a new version of
the public sphere.
Movius claims ‘the source of most global
informational flows is mass media. Traditionally this entails a flow of
information in a single direction, a dispersion from one to many,’ (2010). Mass media is distributed to a
large audience and often takes the form of television, radio and print media,
in particular, newspapers.
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| Source: Dreamstime |
Messages distributed through the mass media are generic,
as they have to appeal to a broad range of people. However, because of
globalisation and the increased amount and availability of digital technologies, audiences now have more control over what content they view, and
how they view it. These technologies also mean that people are able to create
their own content for anyone to view online. This means the flow of information
is no longer in a single direction like the flows involved with mass media, as
many people are able to be involved in the publishing process online and can participate in discussions. The dispersion is now many to many, rather than
one to many. As Herbert says ‘everyone is a journalist in the digital age!’
(2000).
According to Singer (2007), in the past
seven years, citizen journalists – ordinary people who publish regularly online
– has soared. ‘In the developed world, broadcast and print media go head to
head with online and citizen journalists’, (Forbes, 2009). The new online world
is having major negative implications for traditional media, as seen in the
recent changes to The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. These two newspapers
are not only changing in physical appearance (broadsheet to tabloid size) to appeal to a larger audience, but
in departmental structure. Because newspaper sales are in decline,
advertising dollars are also being impacted, which has affected the way these
media companies are set up. Individuals moving to online sources has been the
major catalyst for this change, which is only going to get more and more
dramatic as time goes on and a larger portion of the world gets online.
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| Source: Online Marketing Trends |
‘Millions of people are using the internet
to express their ideas and opinions in a joyous – and raucous – celebration of
free speech, facilitated by a medium that extends that freedom both within and
among societies,’ (Singer, 2007). One such way people are expressing their
views and opinions online is through the blogosphere. This is the space we are
participating in right now, as I write this post, and you read it. It is made
up of all the blogs in the world and is a place for people to put their
thoughts into the public domain for anyone to see. It is also a forum for
discussion to be raised. Just like all other forms of technology, the
blogosphere is constantly
changing, as more and more people get involved everyday.
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| Source: DMA |
Citizen journalists are one group of people using these forums to distribute information around the world with the click of a button. Although many people in the blogosphere write about their lives and personal hobbies, many are using this channel to distribute news, with the most popular tag on WordPress being exactly that, ‘news’. Wischnowski believes that ‘as a growing volume of investigative reporting emerges from the blogosphere, many bloggers are currently assuming the role of “watchdogs” of both traditional media and nonmedia institutions,’ (2009). People are taking advantage of this platform to engage in free speech and ensure that people can access information that they may not have access to through traditional media, like newspapers.
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| Source: Texas Watchdog |
While newspapers used to be considered a
form of the public sphere, blogs are starting inhabit part of that space and
can also be characterized as a type of public sphere. According to Habermas, the
public sphere is ‘a realm of our social life in which something approaching
public opinion can be formed. Access is guaranteed to all citizens.’ (1964,
p.49). This idea is somewhat relevant to the blogosphere, as it creates a
public space in which public opinion can be formed and discussed. However,
because this realm of our social life is online, access to the blogosphere is not
guaranteed to all citizens, which means it does not encompass all of Habermas’
ideas.
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| Source: Relations Internationales |
This is because of the digital divide, which Ali
describes as ‘the unequal distribution of information and communication
technology across nations,’ (2011, p.188). This is of particular relevance to
the Internet, which many
people around the world do not have access to. Many third world countries do
not have the infrastructure needed to provide Internet services to citizens.
Individuals who are unable to use new digital technologies because they have
not received the education needed to understand such complexities are also part
of the digital divide. Because these individuals don’t have access to the
internet, they are unable to create their own blog site, and cannot participate
in forming public opinion or become involved in public discussion.
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| Source: ICTP Digital Divide Simulator |
However, if you leave the digital divide
out of it, the other characteristics of the blogosphere can be seen as a type
of public sphere. It is free for anyone to use and therefore access is guaranteed to all who have access to
the technology needed to participate. It is also an area within our social life
where we can discuss any subject we want and is becoming more popular
every day.
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| Source: blogOH!blog |
Globalisation has assisted in the breakdown
of barriers around the world and is one aspect that will assist in closing the
gap in the digital divide. Norris believes ‘it is hoped that within a few years
many of the existing barriers to access will be overcome with the combination
of technological breakthroughs, market competition, and state initiatives,’
(Norris, 2001). If the gap in the digital divide can be closed, the blogosphere
may be the future public sphere.
References
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