New Media
Unit 8. Covers The Internet as a meeting point of media; Traditional mass communication model; The changed paradigm; Socio-political implications; Media convergence and emerging trends.
About this unit
New media are digital, networked and interactive forms of communication made possible by computers, mobile phones and the Internet. This unit compares the traditional mass communication model with the new paradigm in which individuals can publish, explains how the Internet brings all media together, and discusses the social and political effects, including debates about information order and democracy. It ends with media convergence and emerging trends.
Key ideas
- The Internet as a platform where text, audio, video and images meet.
- Traditional model: few senders, many receivers, large organisations.
- Changed paradigm: individuals as publishers, many sources, fast global opinion.
- Digital divide and unequal access to information.
- The idea of a New World Information and Communication Order.
- Convergence of technologies, industries and content.
How to prepare
Compare the old and new models point by point. Learn key terms such as convergence, digital divide, user-generated content and global village. Expect reasoning questions on the effects of new media.
Topics in this chapter
The Internet as a meeting point of media
How the Internet brings all mass media together.
5 questionsTraditional mass communication model
Few transmitters, many receivers, large organisations and infrastructure.
5 questionsThe changed paradigm
Individuals as publishers, many sources and rapid global opinion.
5 questionsSocio-political implications
The new information order and democracy.
5 questionsMedia convergence and emerging trends
Convergence and new trends in mass communication.
5 questions