Media Civil War?

March 21st, 2007

There is an important opportunity to take advantage of the significant changes transforming the U.S. (and global) media system. A ubiquitous digital environment will readily connect the majority of the public to interactive networks, via PC, TV, and phone. An investment in time and resources now can bring long-term public interest benefits, including the emergence of new and economically sustainable, independent sources of local and national news, civic and cultural content. Communities of interest would be created, also at the local and national levels, helping to create new vehicles supporting positive social change. Programming owned and controlled by both persons of color and women [and others], who have been marginalized by today?s media, would be a critical part of this landscape. Here are 10 areas for action and discussion designed to help create a more democratic media future for the U.S.

Question will other vested interests allow this to happen? However, on the other hand you can’t stop progress.

Via Reclaim the Media

The last two mass media (6 & 7) are both interactive, and anarchistic. It was Sir Martin Sorrell, Chairman of WPP who described this new media ecology as being populated by social anarchists. Therefore existing controlling institutions do not have the control over information flows as the first 5 did. That means civic institutions as well.

Question: will communities want to use these new tools? And if not why not?

We are in a transition stage. Future generations will want and expect more of a voice and direct participation in the things they care about. Why would society and politics be any different?

We talk about mass niche communities of interests. Again the “B” roads ultimately become more important than the Motorways of the Mass Media. Which become more relevant, contextual and meaningful.

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