6.4 New Media and the Internet
6 min read•august 14, 2024
New media technologies have revolutionized political communication. The internet, , and mobile devices enable instant global connectivity, empowering users to create and share content. This shift challenges traditional gatekeepers, democratizing information flow and giving voice to marginalized communities.
These changes have profound implications for politics. Politicians now engage directly with citizens online, while social media amplifies messages and mobilizes supporters. However, echo chambers and filter bubbles can reinforce existing beliefs, potentially increasing polarization and complicating democratic discourse.
New Media Technologies: Features and Implications
Digital, Interactive, and Networked Communication
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- New media technologies encompass digital, interactive, and networked forms of communication
- Internet enables global connectivity and instant information sharing
- Social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) facilitate user interaction and content creation
- Mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) provide constant access to digital communication
- Streaming platforms (YouTube, Netflix) offer on-demand, personalized media consumption
User-Generated Content and Challenges to Traditional Gatekeepers
- New media technologies empower individuals to create, share, and consume information and media
- Users can produce and distribute their own content (blog posts, videos, podcasts)
- Challenges traditional gatekeepers (media organizations, political institutions) by democratizing communication
- Enables marginalized voices and communities to participate in public discourse
- The decentralized and global nature of new media transcends traditional boundaries
- Information can spread instantaneously across geographic borders
- Enables real-time communication and coordination among individuals and groups worldwide
Virtual Communities, Echo Chambers, and Filter Bubbles
- New media technologies facilitate the creation of virtual communities based on shared interests and affiliations
- Online forums, social media groups, and messaging apps connect like-minded individuals
- Fosters a sense of belonging and collective identity among participants
- Algorithmic curation and personalization of content can shape users' information exposure
- Social media platforms use algorithms to tailor content to individual users' preferences
- Can create echo chambers where users are primarily exposed to content that reinforces their existing beliefs
- Filter bubbles limit exposure to diverse perspectives and can contribute to political polarization
Social Media's Impact on Political Communication
Politicians and Campaigns Engaging Directly with Citizens
- Social media platforms have become central venues for political communication
- Politicians and campaigns use social media to disseminate messages and rally supporters
- Enables direct engagement with citizens, bypassing traditional media gatekeepers
- Facilitates personalized and emotional appeals to voters
- Politicians use social media for various campaign activities
- Fundraising through online donations and crowdfunding
- Mobilizing voters and encouraging turnout through targeted messaging and organizing
- Showcasing personal lives and behind-the-scenes moments to humanize candidates
Citizen Participation and the Viral Spread of Information
- Social media enables citizens to actively participate in political discussions and express opinions
- Users can share political content, engage in debates, and mobilize others
- Enhances political engagement and civic participation, especially among younger generations
- The viral nature of social media can amplify certain messages and narratives
- Content that elicits strong emotions or resonates with users' beliefs is more likely to spread rapidly
- Can lead to the rapid dissemination of misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories
- Distorts public discourse and undermines trust in political institutions and media
Echo Chambers, Filter Bubbles, and Political Polarization
- Social media can facilitate the formation of political echo chambers and filter bubbles
- Users are primarily exposed to content that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs and attitudes
- Reinforces confirmation bias and limits exposure to diverse perspectives
- Echo chambers and filter bubbles can contribute to political polarization and fragmentation
- Encourages the formation of ideologically homogeneous communities
- Reduces common ground and understanding across political divides
- Can exacerbate social tensions and undermine democratic deliberation
The Internet's Role in Political Mobilization
Low-Cost and Accessible Platform for Activism
- The internet provides a low-cost and accessible platform for political mobilization and activism
- Individuals and groups can organize, coordinate, and mobilize for political causes online
- Empowers marginalized voices and communities to advocate for their interests
- Reduces barriers to participation in political and social movements
- takes various forms
- Hashtag campaigns raise awareness and generate public pressure (MeToo, BlackLivesMatter)
- Online petitions and virtual protests enable mass participation and demonstrate support for causes
- Crowdfunding platforms facilitate fundraising for political campaigns and social causes
Transnational Activist Networks and Solidarity Movements
- The internet enables the formation of transnational activist networks and solidarity movements
- Activists can collaborate, share resources, and coordinate actions across borders
- Facilitates the exchange of information, strategies, and support among activists worldwide
- Amplifies the impact and reach of local struggles by connecting them to global audiences
- The anonymity and decentralization of the internet can protect activists from repression
- Enables activists in authoritarian contexts to organize and express dissent with reduced risk
- Provides tools for secure communication and information sharing among activists
- However, it can also facilitate the spread of extremist ideologies and illegal activities
Debates on the Effectiveness and Sustainability of Online Activism
- The effectiveness and sustainability of internet-facilitated activism are subject to debate
- Concerns about slacktivism, where online engagement does not translate into meaningful offline action
- Digital divides can exclude marginalized communities from participating in online activism
- Online movements can be co-opted or undermined by established political actors and institutions
- The long-term impact of online activism on political and social change remains contested
- Some argue that online activism can drive policy changes and shift public opinion
- Others contend that online activism is ephemeral and fails to address structural inequalities
Challenges of New Media for Traditional Politics
Disruption of Traditional Models of Political Communication
- New media technologies disrupt traditional models of political communication
- Challenges the authority and control of established media organizations and political institutions
- Decentralizes the production and dissemination of political information
- Enables alternative narratives and perspectives to gain visibility and influence
- The speed and immediacy of new media pressures political actors to respond rapidly
- Prioritizes reactivity and short-term thinking over deliberation and long-term strategy
- Can lead to hasty decision-making and the amplification of minor controversies
Fragmentation of Public Sphere and Common Knowledge
- The fragmentation and personalization of media consumption enabled by new technologies
- Undermines the shared public sphere and common knowledge base necessary for democratic deliberation
- Encourages the formation of ideologically homogeneous communities with divergent information ecosystems
- Reduces exposure to diverse perspectives and hinders consensus-building
- The business models and algorithmic design of new media platforms prioritize engagement over quality
- Optimizes for attention and data extraction rather than the diversity and accuracy of information
- Can amplify sensationalism, polarization, and misinformation for commercial gain
Challenges to Nation-State Regulation and Governance
- The global reach and transnational nature of new media challenge the ability of nation-states to regulate political communication
- Information flows across borders, making it difficult to enforce national laws and norms
- Raises questions about the legitimacy and accountability of political processes in the digital age
- New media platforms are subject to varying legal frameworks and cultural contexts worldwide
- Inconsistent standards for content moderation, data protection, and political advertising across jurisdictions
- Enables the spread of disinformation and foreign interference in domestic political processes
- The power of new media companies challenges the sovereignty and autonomy of nation-states
- Platforms' policies and algorithms can shape public discourse and political outcomes
- Governments struggle to assert control over the political implications of new media technologies
Key Terms to Review (16)
Agenda-setting theory: Agenda-setting theory is the idea that the media has a significant influence on what issues are perceived as important by the public and policymakers. This theory suggests that while the media may not tell people what to think, it plays a crucial role in shaping what people think about, highlighting specific topics and framing them in a way that prioritizes them over others. This process is particularly relevant in today's fast-paced digital landscape, where new media and the internet facilitate rapid dissemination of information.
Blogs: Blogs are online platforms where individuals or groups regularly share thoughts, opinions, or information on various topics. They enable writers to connect with readers through accessible content, often allowing for interactive features like comments. Blogs can be personal, professional, or focused on specific themes, serving as a significant tool in the landscape of new media and the internet.
Crowdsourced journalism: Crowdsourced journalism is a practice where information, news, and stories are gathered from the public, often through social media and online platforms. This approach leverages the collective efforts of individuals to report events, share eyewitness accounts, and provide insights that traditional journalists may not have access to. It plays a significant role in the realm of new media and the internet by democratizing the process of news gathering and enabling diverse voices to contribute to the media landscape.
Digital copyright: Digital copyright refers to the legal rights that creators have over their original works in the digital realm, including music, videos, literature, and software. This legal framework protects the creators' ability to control how their work is used, shared, and distributed online, which is crucial in an age dominated by new media and the internet. It aims to balance the interests of creators with public access to information and culture, while also adapting to the rapid evolution of technology.
Digital divide: The digital divide refers to the gap between individuals who have easy access to digital technologies, such as the internet and computers, and those who do not. This divide is influenced by various factors including socioeconomic status, geographic location, and education levels, which can lead to significant disparities in information access and opportunities for participation in the digital world.
Echo chamber: An echo chamber is a situation where individuals are exposed only to information and opinions that reinforce their existing beliefs, creating a closed loop of ideas. This phenomenon is amplified by new media and the internet, where algorithms curate content based on user preferences, leading to the isolation of perspectives and minimizing exposure to diverse viewpoints.
Fake news: Fake news refers to misinformation or disinformation presented as legitimate news, often designed to mislead readers or promote a specific agenda. It has gained significant attention in the digital age, especially with the rise of social media platforms where such content can be easily shared and amplified, affecting public opinion and discourse.
Framing Theory: Framing theory refers to the way media and communicators present information in a way that influences how audiences perceive and understand an issue. This theory suggests that the angle or perspective from which information is delivered can significantly shape public opinion, attitudes, and behaviors regarding political events and issues.
Internet governance: Internet governance refers to the development and application of shared principles, norms, rules, and decision-making procedures that shape the evolution and use of the internet. This concept encompasses various stakeholders, including governments, private sector companies, civil society, and technical communities, all collaborating to manage the internet's resources and ensure its stability, security, and accessibility.
Mark Zuckerberg: Mark Zuckerberg is an American computer programmer and entrepreneur best known as the co-founder and CEO of Facebook, a social media platform that transformed how people connect and communicate online. His role in developing Facebook has made him a central figure in discussions about new media and the internet, particularly regarding privacy, social networking, and the impact of digital communication on society.
Media literacy: Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in various forms. It empowers individuals to critically assess the content they consume, which is especially important in an age where new media and the internet are prevalent. This skill helps people understand the influence of media on public opinion and political information, enabling them to navigate the complexities of information in a digital landscape.
Net neutrality: Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers (ISPs) must treat all data on the internet equally, without discriminating or charging differently by user, content, website, platform, or application. This means that ISPs cannot intentionally block, slow down, or provide preferential treatment to any specific type of data or service, ensuring a level playing field for all online content and services. This concept is essential in the discussion about new media and the internet as it impacts how information is accessed and shared by users.
Online activism: Online activism refers to the use of digital tools and platforms to promote social, political, or environmental causes. This form of activism enables individuals and groups to mobilize support, raise awareness, and drive change by leveraging the internet's reach, allowing for greater participation and engagement in various movements.
Social media: Social media refers to digital platforms and applications that enable users to create, share, and interact with content and each other online. These platforms have transformed communication by allowing individuals to connect directly, disseminate information rapidly, and engage in discussions about various topics, including politics. The rise of social media has significantly changed how news is consumed and spread, influencing public opinion and political engagement.
Viral content: Viral content refers to digital material that rapidly spreads across the internet through social sharing, often due to its engaging, humorous, or emotionally charged nature. This phenomenon is heavily influenced by social media platforms where users share posts, videos, or memes with their networks, leading to exponential reach and engagement. Viral content is a crucial aspect of new media as it highlights how online communication can lead to widespread influence and visibility.
Virtual campaigning: Virtual campaigning refers to the use of digital platforms and online tools to conduct political campaigns, engage voters, and promote candidates or issues. This approach allows candidates to reach a broader audience through social media, websites, and email, enhancing their ability to mobilize supporters and communicate their messages effectively.