While learning for my 8-of-8 examination “dependable systems ” i - as usually - started to think about something else, but at least it’s related to my study. Next semester i’m planning to write my students-paper ( something like a diploma thesis but not as voluminous ). My preferred subject would be the question wether the internet is a mass media or not. While at that i thought about posting the progress of my work in a g-blog an use the thoughts, suggestions and answers the public might give as thought-provoking impulses* for my paper.
So i wonder if there are people who already thought/wrote/read about this question or are interested in this topic…
*Is there a better way to say “Denkanstoß” ?
Edited on Mar 30th 2003, 11:18 by jeck
Edited on Mar 30th 2003, 11:54 by jeck
I think it counts as mass media. Many people get their news from it these days. But it is very different from the mass media of the past.
Zhaneel
I think it counts as mass media, as a greater number of varying opinions on any given subject are available to anyone with internet access (who isn’t in one of those countries with governmental controls, like China). In addition to opinions, there is quicker access to facts as well. For example, in the Vietnam era, it took weeks and often months for people to find out how many soldiers had died, what ground was lost or gained, etc. Now, it takes minutes. However, using the internet-as-mass-media thesis, one has to be wary because of all the junk floating out around there. Sources must be checked carefully, and it is generally those sources that ALSO have print editions of some kind that are given the most credence.