Changing Times, Trying Times
You know, my current college program is not the first field I immersed myself in. I was a psychology major, but I transferred to attain anthropology as the focus of my study. I am still adjusting and still in the process of accepting that I may not graduate on time, but certain changes such as a shift in perspective and dreams happen to align us for our desired future.
The sky above our heads also changes. In some days, there are less clouds - we only have the scorching sun that burns our skin and makes us stay within the shade of our houses. In other days, the sky is dominated by angry thunders and rain. The mass media system that we have is the same – it can change like the weather or a career path through time. With change comes different stories to tell.
As technology evolves, so does our mechanism when it comes to communicating and receiving information. Shifting from newspapers to radio implied the lesser use of newspapers. Shifting from newspapers to television implied using the latter more often to acquire the latest news.
Digitization opens the possibility for data transmission. This information or data can be processed by modern devices such as computers. Digitization of videos, therefore, meant that producers have to adopt foreign ways of manufacturing videos for their consumers. In turn, consumers will have to obtain a device and learn to navigate it – adopt to a new way ingesting information.
Such changes do not come without consequences to some sectors. The industries experienced turmoil because of a change in movie demands. Warner Brothers entertainment was unsure of which path to take – movie attendance was low, total album sales plunged, DVD’s declined in sales, the video-game industry failed to show increase in demand, newspapers and magazines dropped in its circulation revenues, and radio listening became more and more sporadic. The rules of old media consumption were modified, but the high demand for media consumption remained constant (Bing, 2006, as cited in Baran, 2010).
The transformations of mass media system did not end on that note. The internet and world wide web became popular due to its speed and convenience in terms of accessing, disseminating, and storing information. To keep up with trends, all the media systems were compelled to make alterations in their business environment and machinations as the net rose to fame.
Nowadays, the net provides thousands of information which are accessible almost to anyone. The business industry can utilize this to maximize their reach. Potential costumers may increase if they promote products well. Art can also be shared and appreciated across the globe. Advocacies have the chance to be seen and elaborated for the knowledge of all. Education sectors benefited from it – having the ability to retrieve information without physically going to the library seemed convenient.
In contrast, media accessibility may be manipulated in favor of the powerful. Access to media is a privilege, and not everyone has the chance to be informed of the truth. Thus, those who don’t have the capacity to obtain information may make wrong judgments about themselves and others. Currently, there are various pages spreading misinformation to the public which alters their perception and decision making.
The sector of education gained something, but it may also face consequences like hindrances in the development of skills within a learner such as reading comprehension. Moreover, it opens doors to intellectual theft due to easy accessibility. Finally, children in the present times can operate devices to entertain themselves, but they might come across media content not appropriate for their age.
The way information is given and accepted is not set in stone. It undergoes critical changes and so are we.
Baran, J. (2010). Chapter 2: The evolving mass communication process. Introduction to Mass communication: Media Literacy and Culture. 33-49.
Smith, J. (2017). Hero-misinformation [Online Image]. Data & Society. https://datasociety.net/library/media-manipulation-and-disinfo-online/
Freepik. (2017). Mass media and its impact on mankind’s evolution [Online Image]. Linked In. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mass-media-its-impact-mankinds-evolution-mubarak-bamatraf
