With the rise of newer technology, it leads to significant implications that sought to improve one’s quality in their daily lives. However, this way of thinking presents differing views when we look at the introduction of specific technological advancements, such as in regards to media.
Communication has always been a fundamental part within the societies. Through the use of media, it acts as a tool for the public to reach out and gives the people the freedom to convey their opinions and views to the general public. Within the past, what was known as ”old media” were restricted in how their messages were delivered to the general population, through the lack of means to reach across a large audience on a global scale, as well as being limited to certain modes of media (Goggin and Newell, 2002). This can be said when the pressing press was introduced. These newspapers that were created and distributed to the public were limited to those within the city, community area, limited to those that could afford to purchase the daily paper, as well as for those that enjoy reading the current events. Through this, it can be implied that through old media, it sought out to mainly target and reach a very specific population.
With the rise of media, it has changed how media is delivered through the aspects of it being digital, converging and networked. Due to media now being digital, it means that the messages can be easily spread out and dispersed across to the general public in a relatively efficient manner (Goggin and Newell, 2002). Additionally, it also means that alterations to the messages that are being delivered can be changed instantaneously, when an issue to the message presents itself. Moreover, due to the rise in technology, it has allowed messages to be delivered across various different media outlets (Goggin and Newell, 2002). This can be explained through how messages that are presented through the television, now have the ability to also be shown through the internet. Lastly, as for the networking aspect, information can be traveled across worldwide due to the creation the world’s global networking system (Goggin and Newell, 2002). Given the rapid distribution of media messages across various media mediums in the world, it leads to significant impacts targeting towards those with disabilities. In regards to the media that are within the television medium, various television series, cartoons, news channels, etc have been aired across in various other countries. Due to this, it allows its recipients to be able to understand these foreign shows with the help of subtitles and dubbing that is shown in their language. Through the introduction of these tools that help individuals in other countries be able to understand and consume the information, it presents issues revolving around those that have disabilities. For those that cannot read the subtitles due to being unable to see, or for those that cannot understand the dub due to having learning difficulties, it can be implied that with the introduction of new media, it lacks the acknowledgement of catering to those that have these conditions. Because of this, it will lead to these individuals being excluded from participating and consume these new media forms, ultimately creating this sense of isolation and exclusion from this group.
With the rise of new media, it has changed the way information is exchanged among individuals within society, through the quick delivery and changing of various messages, the freedom of messages to appear in other media mediums, as well as the significance of the introduction of networking. Because of this, though it may seem like an improvement to society, it has led to significant consequences regarding those that have disabilities.
Goggin, G., Newell, C. (2002). Digital Disability: The Social Construction of Disability in New Media. Rowman and Littlefield. Retrieved July 11th, 2018 from https://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&lr=&id=808HMxDE2pYC&oi=fnd&pg=PR11&dq=disability+within+social+media&ots=_hFxCfm2GL&sig=ac4IyDkznRFKvu6Lw3xLxXThRJk#v=onepage&q&f=false
Newspaper. [Digital Image]. (n.d). Retrieved from from https://anydate.com/old_newspapers.html
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