Essay about New Media, Democracy and Participation

Digital communication systems enhance democracy by offering greater access and participation to citizens than traditional media. Discuss. Digital communication systems have largely enhanced democracy, offering greater access and participation to many, but not all, citizens. This essay will discuss both sides of the argument, beginning by examining the notion of new, digital media as compared to old, traditional media, the concepts which make such media â€Å"new†, and how this adds to democracy and greater participation. On the other hand, this essay will also discuss the concept of â€Å"digital divide†; that while for many in often Westernised societies, digital communication is freely available, but in other areas it is not, therefore†¦show more content†¦This user-generated content is a huge contributing factor to digital democracy. The networked nature of online media is another feature said to promote democracy as, in the example of news website comments, each contributor is essentially unknown, thus their opinions are based merely on opinion and not on the individual’s character (Rundle 2005:93). Rundle further asserts that anonymous individuals participating in a global networked space is â€Å"at its most pure and perfect†, an example of democracy and open society (2005:93). In addition, due to this networking, one can communicate with anyone in the world via social networks, email, Skype and more, provided they have an Internet connection, allowing greater communicative access and participation. The interactive nature of digital media systems contributes to enhance democracy and certainly participation amongst users. While traditional media often follows a one to many mode of transmission, new media is often a networked, many to many form of media (Jenkins 2006:259). This means that rather than being restricted to the content of huge media companies that often monopolise an industry, consumers can easily access media created and disseminated by other users. These â€Å"produsers† can upload videos to YouTube, write blogs, submit art and literature on relevant websites, share their music, andShow MoreRelatedDemocracy Is Not An Exception1681 Words   |  7 Pagesbirthplace of modern democracy, is not an exception. As Peter Dahlgren mentions, democracy is for and about its citizens, and therefore a certain degree of civic involvement is a necessary and sufficient condition for its prosperity (2009, 14p) If the lower level of participation in democracy continues, the wo rd democracy, originated from demos (the people) in Greek, should be changed to elite-carcy or pauci-cracy. 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