Community Media Post

The article Community Media proved to be very relevant to class material.  The part on self-expression caught my attention as it talked about new technologies opening the door to more media population.  Although this article seems a little outdated, you can still see the upward trend in media participation amongst civilians.  With this new technology, there has been a "greater acceptance of the fact that people can, do , produce media outside of professional contexts" (187).  The article reported that in 2003, 44% of internet users created some kind of online content, even though most of them were using a dial-up modem internet connection.  This blew my mind and you have to think that with broadband and cable, this percentage has skyrocketed.  In today's world, people use blogs, video chats and podcasts to connect with people that have similar views or interests.  Self-expression is important and this article has shown me a lot about the recent past and made me think more about the future.  It has shown me that the gap between professional and public outlets of media has shortened because of what technology allows the average person to do.

Another part of the article that was interesting to me was the part on Democracy, Governance, and the Media.  This part of the article talks about the media's huge role in democracy and the two views that people have on it.  The article states that "some believe democracy would not exist at all without the contemporary media as it promotes freedom, civic virtue, and individual rights.  For other, the media itself is undemocratic-controlled by a small number of elites who determine what information is available and how it is disseminated" (190).  I believe both sides have a point and thought this was a creative way to divide the media's importance in democracy.  Like the article says, "people understand the nation and the related configurations that tie us together" (190).  This is why people need to receive all the information, not just what the "elites" feel is important.  Regardless of what side your on, this article was very entertaining.