Question 1
Mass communication in the 21st century is no longer one way. Everyone takes part in the communication channel because everybody seems to be involved in the production and transmission of information. Modern technology has made communication more interactive, and collective organization of activism has become a lot easier. Digital communication has also made it possible to pass political messages to larger audiences, thus making political activism easier than it was in the past (Reitan, 2007). Therefore, this article presents how dynamics have changed and how that is impacting global activism. Besides, present day technology has helped promote social justice because media permeability has become easier in as much as some information is censored or avoided.
Question 2
I look forward to a society where consumer driven content is not given priority and that the consumer interactive content does not take an upper hand. Many are the times when opinion polls mislead readers because one can influence the trend that something takes in appealing to the readership. What is more, consumer-driven content might be altered to suit a certain group of people because they are an easy target (Earl & Kimport, 2011). I believe that mass communication might end up being watered down to suit the interests of a certain group of people and ignore other groups whose opinion will be taken for granted. Activists can use their knowledge about technology to influence how ordinary people respond to their work. It may be a good thing to have ordinary people have a say in what makes up news and mass media content, but then that might make the content incredible. Everyone will contribute what suits them and not the public thus giving the content different dimensions.
Also, I will be interested to see internet demonstrations that bear fruits rather than physical demonstrations that may cause the demonstrators a lot of physical harm. Sometimes it is good to hide behind a computer and pour your heart out rather than expose oneself to a dangerous demonstrating environment (Porta & Tarrow, 2005). If internet demonstrations were able to oust powerful dictators of the Arab world through the Arab spring; then everything is possible as long as the people have the will and determination to bring a much-needed change. I will be interested in participating in activism that will bring positive change in a far away country. If modern technology makes that possible, global activism is made possible, and everyone’s opinion counts in bringing positive or negative change.
Question 3
I would take a stance in what I believe is the right thing to do in our society, and if the need arises, I will comfortably take part in a demonstration. I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion and stance as long as it does not stand in the way of other people. Recently, I posted something about voluntary euthanasia on social media supporting it and calling out for our society to embrace it. I did that because I believe everyone should be allowed the opportunity to exercise their rights over themselves if they stand to benefit. My decision was informed by stories I have read about terminally ill patients who endure so much pain and suffering. They end up dying with indignity and subjecting their friends and families to a lot of emotional pain, heartache, and debts. I had to present my narrative because I believe terminally ill patients of sound mind should be allowed to make decisions to have physicians end their lives in a legislated environment because that puts to an end their suffering that might be prolonged. It is only right that everyone gets involved in matters culturally significant because they might be beneficiaries of their innocent acts some day.
Question 4
The media’s influence on activism has been a positive one because of the positive change that has been achieved over the years. Through this article, it becomes clear that the involvement of the masses in determining the content that attracts readership, (Bennett, 2010). In the long run, there will be high-quality information circulating throughout the world, the information will not be based on propaganda and will not be biased. It is imperative to note that ordinary people will be allowed on the editorial platform and will determine whether what is given to them by the media is truthful or not. Also, globalization will have helped in the adjustment of mass media because stories and events can originate from one person or place and turn out to be stories that bring a revolution.
Question 5
If there is one culture- subject matter that Canada should try and resolve is that of racial discrimination. The country might be ranked second in the world because it is highly tolerant, but its treatment of the Aboriginal population is wanting. Canadians have tried for a very long time to hide some of these racial issues and tried to compare itself as better than the United States. But the truth is that the Aboriginals are treated as lesser humans. Their position can be likened to that of the African- American community in the United States. Canadians propagate the agenda of the majority while neglecting that of the minority. The leadership and the citizenry are often attracted to the issues affecting the wider population while neglecting those of the minority. And this state of affairs is going to remain for as long as a majority of the people is attracted to only stories that make the headlines. Activists have not been active in staging the internet or physical demonstrations; they are hidden behind ‘hashtags’ on Twitter, and that is all there is to show for their fight for common human rights.
References
Bennett, W. L. (2010). “New Media Power: The Internet and Global Activism”. Contesting Media Power. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefied.
Earl, J. & Kimport, K. (2011). Digitally Enabled Social Change: Activism in the Internet Age. Cambridge: The MIT Press.
Porta, D. D. & Tarrow, S. G. (2005). Transnational Protest and Global Activism. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield
Reitan, R. (2007). Global Activism. New York: Routledge
