The New Media and the issues it comes with

The media has certainly evolved in the past decade with the emergence of more and more Internet users. Development is rapid with digital convergence, personal computing and global networking, thus causing tremendous changes in the media. The ecosystem has shifted radically with newsprint declining due to broadcast media television being on the rise. However, this has made them adapt rather than to bow out as they now serve as commentators, provide analysis and features of news. (Naughton, 2006) Social networking sites like that of Youtube, Twitter and Facebook have been proven useful for jounalism and communication. 3 years ago, then Prime Ministerial candidate, Kevin Rudd was known to embrace social media, using online sites to communicate and provide feedback to supporters. (Bruns, Wilson & Saunders, 2007) Many journalists also use sites like Twitter or Facebook to share breaking stories. News travel fast online whilst print media takes time to be published and distributed. However, with these sites being available to anyone at anytime, with unlimited use and freedom of speech, there are bound to be controversial issues arising. For example, Malaysian songwriter Wee Meng Chee, or better known as Namewee, has posted controversial videos on youtube of himself rapping about his dissatisfaction about racial issues and poking fun at other races too. This caused an uproar in society as his videos contained vulgarities and obscenities. (Harakahdaily, 2010) This freedom of speech has instead backfired on him many citizens and political leaders took offence in his words.

Source: gvishnu.com

References:

Bruns, A, Wilson, J & Saunders, B 2007,  ‘Citizen Journalism as Social Networking: Reporting the 2007 Australian Federal Election’, viewed 29 September 2010, <www.produsage.org/articles>

Harakahdaily, 2010, ‘PAS youth, Namewee was provoked’, viewed 29 September 2010, < http://en.harakah.net.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1339:pas-youth-namewee-was-provoked&catid=34:primary&Itemid=56>

Naughton, J 2006, ‘Blogging and the emerging media ecosystem’, viewed 29 September 2010, <http://reuteursinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/about/discussion/blogging.html>