Author: MADELEINE WILSON

An Audio Documentary that explores the struggles that students have been faced during the pandemic and the rivalry between students and those out of higher education. 

York St John Media and Film Blog

As a result of the current influence that social media is having on the US, this week’s blog focuses on US political broadcasting and the implications that the media has potentially encouraged within US democracy.

The Digital Revolution has not only promoted freedom of speech within US political news, but has also provided the idea that digital news serves an essential democratic function which is beginning to weaken US democracy. As well, The Digital Revolution has influenced the way individuals receive news which paints an alarming picture of democracy as it is enabling politicians to develop their own strategic forms of manipulation and specific strategies.

An important element to consider, is Donald Trump’s use of Twitter. Donald Trump has rhetorically manipulated users to support his political decisions. After several warnings had been given, the social media platform chose to take control of the situation by permanently suspending Donald Trump’s account on the 8^th of January. On the 13^th of January 2021, Trump was impeached for inciting insurrection by encouraging his supporters to storm the capitol. This suggests that social media platforms such as Twitter, are making an effort to prevent social media from negatively influencing democracy.

Moreover, it is necessary to question who is at the helm of news organisations and to what extent they are responsible for the spread of false news. Rupert Murdoch, a political conservative, is the owner of an abundance of contrasting political news organisations globally and his company News Corps, owns The New York post, The times of London and the Wall street journal. Murdoch has continuously been a pragmatist in relationships with politicians and encourages political discussion. As well, during the 2016 election when Trumps candidacy surged, Murdock followed and was given a direct line to the white house. This demonstrates the powerful and immoral collaboration between Politicians and News organisation leaders to reach a target neglecting accuracy within the news they are spreading.

On the other hand, The Digital Revolution has encouraged journalists to develop strategies such as ‘spin doctors’ and ‘fear mongers’ within hyperlinks to direct users from social media to an online news site. Consequently, one might claim that the Digital Revolution has promoted the use of manipulative strategies to journalists working for political parties and has developed digital culture into a politically driven institution.

It is recognised that those at the helm of news organisations have joined with political leaders and has enabled candidates such as Donald Trump, to gain status. Consequently, through evaluating Donald Trump’s powerful use of social media, it is imperative to appreciate that the internet is here to stay and whilst it is important to embrace it, it could be said that in order to recover democracy, US need to adapt laws, rules and guidelines in order to save their democratic society. 

To conclude, whilst the combination of the Digital Revolution and those at the helm of news organisations have equally developed false news within US political broadcasting, the future of digital news depends on US citizens to elect a moral leader to be at the helm of inflicting stricter guidelines online. Moreover, presidential leader’s must be chosen wisely to prevent the promotion of producing and disseminating fake news in order to regain trust within political news.

By Maddie Wilson

York St John Film and Media Blog

Convergence Culture

Within the modern digital world, Participatory Culture, an opposing concept to consumer culture, is possessing an influential power on the way individuals use technology.  Since The Digital Revolution, users have been encouraged to engage and participate rather than primarily observe. As well, through online networks, participators have been driven to involve themselves within business platforms as well as social. This has enabled an increase of engagement with online content and has encouraged businesses to excel. For example, businesses are able to advertise through social media platforms, interactive YouTube videos, online questionnaires and interactive Pop-up Ads. Moreover, the use of online advertisement has enabled users to interact with business’s and has therefore positively boosted engagement with online content.

As a result of Participatory Culture encouraging online interaction, users have been stimulated to unite online. Prior to The Digital Revolution, individuals were able to escape and possess their own privacy. However, I would like to argue that The Digital Revolution has established a world in which individuals could potentially fear building relationships with people online. This is due to the permanent factor of exposing personal thoughts online. Morover, this is a potential reason for the increase of issues around mental health.

On the other hand, The Digital Revolution has positively enforced a much-needed technological interaction and has created an enhanced connected environment. Furthermore, through technological advancements, online forums have enabled users to further their knowledge through the opportunity to compare opinions to others virtually.

Through technological advancements, communities have been brought closer together as it is allowing individuals with different interests but however potentially mutual curiosities to gain additional knowledge.  For example, the application ‘Zoom’, enables people to communicate through technology. During Covid-19, applications such as Zoom have encouraged individuals to connect from home and motivate eachother virtually. This illustrates the power that technology has and how The Digital Revolution has positively joined people together.

By Maddie Wilson

A York Tourism Vlog I directed and effectively delivered the aesthetics of The City Of York through a tourists point of view. 

 

A Manchester based music video I directed for Indie Rock band, Sleaves.