New Media has strengthened the public sphere by enabling people to upload and access footage, images and written accounts. This has been made easier as there is now a greater access to the internet and possession of mobile phones. These functions now strengthen the public sphere as people are now able to produce their own media quick and easy with what are seen as items which all people have in modern day society. This also promotes democracy as all people are now expected to have a say.
An example of this can be seen in the Syrian uprising as new media allowed the uprising to be viewed across the world simply by uploading footage from mobile phone devices and, in some cases, small cameras using 3G to upload. This helps to strengthen the public sphere because without new media we wouldn't have been as informed over the Syrian uprising as the Syrian government has banned journalists and also turned the internet connection in the across the majority of the country for a day. Without new media we wouldn't be informed as well as we are today and the news wouldn't be of as easy access as it is now due to citizen journalism and digital convergence in mobile phones which now have the capability to access news sites via apps on smartphones.
Another strength that we media provides to the public sphere is that is is highly accessible and cheap. With the internet and mobile phones becoming to cheap nowadays, it's making the access to new media easier for all kinds of people. This is apparent also in the Syrian uprising as the videos of protests were mainly shot on mobile phones which were then uploaded via 3G or an internet connection from a computer onto social networking sites such as facebook and twitter. This is also helped by convergent devices. All phones are now equipped with a camera and an internet connection with adequate speeds. This makes it easier for people all over to produce and upload their own footage to sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. Apps are now promoting synergy as the leading app stores have come together with social networking sites to provide apps which make it easier to post status', pictures and videos, all helping us gain access to information quicker via new media. This strengthens the public sphere as we are provided with information through the ease of accessibility to new media. However, some may say that not all were informed with such knowledge as many won't have the technology to view content online due to not being able to afford an internet connection or view content from a mobile phone simply because they do not own one.
On the other hand, some may claim that there are downsides to the rise in new media. A reason for this can be the impact of anonymity. A specific example of this was when Tom Macmaster, an Edinburgh student pretended to be a young Arab lesbian blogger. This shows that anyone can create an online identity which doesn't reflect themselves. This may also be a problem if people pretend to be other people creating confusion amongst peers. This is seen as a problem as it is ethically wrong and can lead to consequences. This is evident in the Tom Macmaster case as there was an outrage from twitter and blogger uses as they didn't accept his apology for when he finally revealed his true identity. Although Tom was trying to promote a serious issue which may be seen as a good thing, many think he went about it in the wrong way. He apologised, however followers did not accept his apology.
Although there are positives and negatives of new media ranging from anonymity issues to the ease of access. The positives seem to outweigh the negative aspects as the news can now be posted by anyone making it easier and quicker for people to be informed of the latest knowledge, we now don't have to rely on the radio to have our say, we can have our say in a matter of seconds by typing in a tweet in your phone and sending it to the internet for the world to see instantly. This also promotes democracy as everyone is now expected to have a say and there is much more room for debate, online through social and new media.
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