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ProBlogger lists 8 reasons why new media is growing

Darren Rowse, a professional blogger, has made a list of 8 reasons why new media is growing. (Photo from Darren Rowse's blog)

First he mentions participation as an important factor. The old one-way communication style where news stories are presented to the public has become more or less obsolete as there are now effective feedback and publishing channels available. Internet based information channels like blogs, podcasts and online news pages are growing. According to an annual study of the Swedish people's media habits done by Nordicom (Mediebarometern 2005), in 2005 Swedish people spent more time on the Internet than reading the daily newspaper. The new media is highly more participative, giving the reader the ability to comment and discuss the news. Newspapers are also involving readers in creating the material. Several Swedish newspapers have started blog portals, where some highlights from the blogs are presented by an editor. For example, on Aftonbladet's Läsarbladet they let the readers chose debate topics and current popular blog subjects are also presented like regular news stories. Aftonbladet also invites people to provide their own photographs and tips about news stories. All material being published resulting in a revenue for the provider.

As Rowse put it: "People want to interact with news and with the rise of technology they want an opportunity to even take part in it’s creation and reporting."

He also mentions suspicion of institution as one possible reason why people tend to turn their backs on more traditional sources of information. In many countries, including Sweden, the traditional media is controlled by a small number of players which creates suspicion and ground for conspiracy theories to grow. Playfulness is another factor, there are more space for humor and irony in forums like blogs and podcasts than in the traditional one-way media. The more informal language may also be one reason that new media seem to be grow-ground for social networks, something Rows describes as relationality. By participating on discussion forums and making comments on blogs and news pages, people are more involved and act more or less like in real life social situations, but with the distinction that it is a lot easier to find people sharing the same interests on the Internet, when geographical distance is not any longer an issue.

Although, I beleive it is a little bit far fetched, holism and the integration of our lifestyle with a little help from new Web 2.0 tools, is another aspect of it. He also think that people are more and more willing to hear different oppinions and arguments in matters, juxtaposition. Perhaps the world is not so black and white anymore.

DIY (Do It Yourself) is a strong force within several areas today and Rowse means that it is a growing phenomena. With the Internet you can do almost anything you want with only your computer, your internet connection and the time you are willing to invest. Finaly, immediacy is something we expect in our modern lives. It has become more and more usual that news stories are first told on blogs and discussion forums.

Web links

Aftonbladet: Läsarbladet. (May 18, 2006) http://www.aftonbladet.se/ettor/webb/2927_normal.html

Nordicom: Aktuellt resultat från Mediebarometern 2005. (May 9, 2006). http://www.nordicom.gu.se/?portal=mt&main=press_mediebarometer_2006.php&menu=menu_sve&me=8

ProBlogger: About Darren. (January 6, 2005). http://www.problogger.net/archives/2005/01/06/about-darren/

ProBlogger: 8 Reasons Why New Media is Growing. (May 10, 2006). http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/05/10/why-new-media-is-growing/

posted by Jimmyroq @ 16:01