The term Web 2.0 is being increasingly used to describe the new ways that the world wide web is being developed. It is the idea that a second generation of technology has introduced communities over the web, like social networking sites, podcasts, weblogs and RSS feeds. This is when users can access updated information from a website to their individual desktops therefore they dont have to check a website continually for updated information. This encourages people to share between users and peers. The web is no longer a static source of information thanks to the growth of cheap and powerful personal computers supported by cheap and powerful software and also of social networking sites.
The word mediation is the process in which a media text represents an idea, issue or event to us. Mediation is a useful word because it shows the way things undergo change in the process of being acted upon by the media.
The word proliferate means a rapid increase in numbers, for example media images proliferate and the publics ability to become producers as well as consumers of media products increases, it is clear that we live in a increasingly mediated society.
The word saturation in a media context means the constant bombardment of media in the world today such as tv, radio, phones ect.
The word media is associated with many things because it is now an increasing problem to define what is meant by 'the media'. However, there are basic characteristics to help define what the media is that sum it up in general. These characteristics are:
The media reaches a large sum of people.
The media, although centrally produced are usually privately consumed.
Media products are 'shared'.
The media are controlled or regulated.
The media rely on sophisticated technology.
The media is modern.
The media is expensive to produce.
The fact that media products are 'shared' means that the media products produced are meant to be both popular and shared, hence the high audience figures. Today, there are specific things that people are aware of because of the media such as the phrase 'you're fired', even if someone has not watched the specific program it comes from. Because of this, these phrases have become part of our everyday phrases and conversations. The media has also caused celebrities such as Harry Potter, which are fiction characters but have also become part of everyday 'language'. Some may argue that this is colonisation of the worlds media as its predominantly American companies and artifacts that dominate the media, therefore its damaging. This is a sign of the medias power.
Media is largely restricted in countries like China, Burma and Ethiopia. It is restricted by the government to try and control the circulation of ideas and criticisms. In a revolution one of the first things that often happens is that the national communications centres are taken over so the new leaders can control the messages that are being transmitted. This way, they use the media as a way of winning the hearts and minds of the people.
Media convergence is the coming together of different communication technologies such as the telephone, computer and the television.
The media is important in todays society because it influences society and our lives in general. Some possible answers to why the media is important in our society today is:
The media tells us what is going on in the world, for example the news.
The media is a central part of our lives, like phones, computers and radio which everybody comes across on a day-to-day basis.
The media is influential because of what the public can view and find.
Domestic media hardware has become an intrinsic part of our homes and our lives.
The media is very profitable.
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