Communication Essay
In the current times, there are several implications for democracy brought about by the growth and development of the New Media. The last few decades have seen an increased tension between the perceived performance and the ideals of democratic institutions. Even though there might be an absence of ‘crisis of democracy’, a lot of people believe that all is not well. For instance, in the USA there has been reports of widespread cynicism about political leaders and institution, increasing fears about civic disengagement.
The common view of politics in our society is that the public will without a doubt turn off and care less about it. However, this view does not attempt to discourse about the inherent virtues of the new media. The new media should not be considered as being inherently democratic.
This paper is going to focus on the potential of new media in helping the transition toward democracy and the establishment of a vigorous civil society based on participation, dialogue, consensus, and engagement.
There is a great deal of debate when it comes to the issues of whether the free new media harm or serve democracy. Followers of what is often known as “media malaise” theory suggest that because of the new media in democratic states operate according to the principles in the market and disregard their vital democratic duties. This will without a doubt cause great recursions on democracy by causing cynicism, apathy, as well as ignorance relating to the political atmosphere among the public. On the other hand, there are supporters of what is known as the ‘mobilization’ point of view who argue that the expectations that are imposed on both the citizens and media by the media malaise are too high. They perceive that mobilization theorist say that the sources of the media provide enough and relevant information and news for the citizens of the country tom deeply recognize when their particular interests are in great danger, and that the media consumptions increases the civic engagement.
New media has the power to challenge the cultural hegemony of the country which can also develop a ‘poor quality’ culture which will only be beneficial to established and stereotypical presentations of the social types. The new media is pluralistic in nature because of its non-hierarchical and networked structure that can offer the potential to build a strong national culture as well as challenge the prevailing social discourses. In addition to that, the new media in the long run may promote the growth of our civil society.
It is important that the various factors of democratic communications are taken into consideration to improve democracy. These factors include preference measurement, information access, group mobilization, and deliberation. It has been argued that the new media will have a positive and significant impact on the process of communicating democratically within the correct economic and regulatory context, especially regarding to the modern communication technology.
Many political critics have dubbed the introduction of new media as a catalyst that has strongly instigated the populist movement where people have easier access to the political arena. The optimistic articulation of this perspective speculates that the mass media provide to encourage political activism and interest among the general public. The common citizens are able to develop effective and meaningful roles for themselves in the current state of politics. For instance, a talk radio in the morning can effectively provide an outlet for the general public expression. Moreover, there is several evidences that this particular kind of populism is very much achievable in the media environment that we have today. Today, there is a lot of political data that is disseminated through various sources. News on politics is easily available for the public via daily evening newscasts, real time broadcasting, daily morning news, as well as televised news magazines. The wide variety of news sources allows the data to be targeted to specific audiences that will be affected by the information in one way or another.
Call-in radio platforms, cable television, and social media platforms are places where citizens can effectively practice democracy by being in contact with similar politically and socially oriented people. As opposed to the traditional sound bite journalism which had a lot of mainstream political media, new media has created more space and time for the presentation of historical and contextual material, as well as discussion of social issues. New media has increased the interconnectivess of people in society. Rather than just being a passive recipient of political news and information, the new media has made it possible for the citizens to make their democratic presences and opinions heard and known; hence, play a visible role in the society. For instance, television news regularly feature call-ins from the public.
Moreover, online opinion polls on democratic issues affecting the country may be televised and people ask questions during the debate. This goes a long way into ensuring that the nation is democratically satisfied. Further, there are many people nowadays that are joining political organizations rather than political parties. These political organizations are associated with specific issues such as democracy and they are aided by the new media for publicity and effective interactive communications where people can freely air their opinions, and ask for important and relevant information.
In conclusion, the new media has offered an alternate space where inclusive dialogues and debates on democracy can properly and openly take place, thus allowing the establishment of strong civil society on the basis of wider engagement of the of the public and the discussion of vital and often democratic issues. In addition to that, the new media in the long run may promote the growth of our civil society. If it is put in the context of practical and wider transition of society, the new media may be an essential tool which can easily be employed to challenge the major discourses and avoid the authoritarian trap. Moreover, during this age of new media, citizens are encouraged to engage, participate, monitor, and comment thus creating a healthy civil society and the establishment of democracy in the country.
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