"Technology Feeds Grassroots Media" http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4789852.stm
The article by Dan Gillmor discusses the democratisation of the media and how bottom up media tools such as blogs and wikis have the capacity to transform the communications ecosystem. The rise of the Internet saw the emergence of new ways of existing, reflecting a more general shift towards a more globalised and interconnected way of being. The article discusses blogs, wikis, podcasting and web mashups in particular and how each of these allows consumers to adopt a more interactive role rather than a passive one displaying a variety of voices and viewpoints.
Gillmor states that the most significant aspect of a blog is the notion of a human voice. Blogs have definitely received increased attention since the article was written in 2006 due to it being a two-way communication medium, rather than a read only medium, such as an article or column(traditional media). Wikis are websites which anyone can edit. It serves as a useful tool when a large group have to work together on a project. Podcasting is a creation of audio content that usually has a small audience, which is then sent to any digital device, portable or not. Unlike the blog, podcasts have the element of a human voice, projecting greater expression, something a printed page cannot do. Finally, web mash ups combine web- based data and services with other companies'. For example, Chicagocrime.org gathers all sorts of local information daily so readers can follow news of close proximity. All the above mentioned examples show that every advancement in technology changes the nature of reality as we experience it.
From previous tutorials, we have all established that cyber culture has become a way of living in this world. As a result, the internet will continue to serve as a dynamic information and communication tool for users where traditional forms of media have failed. It will unite participants through common beliefs, regardless of their geographic location. This in itself is extremely powerful.
Dan Gillmore graduated from Harvard University and is an author of "We the Media", a book about technology and the development of grassroots journalism. He is also the director of the Center for Citizen Media. Dan writes a series of columns for the BBC News website, responding to questions and comments. He is also a noted American technology writer and former columnist for the San Jose Mercury News. Gillmor is also the author of a popular weblog covering technology news, as well as criticising rigid enforcement of copyrights. Although the article was written in 2006, it still has relevance today. It was written on the BBC News website which is a credible news source based in the UK.
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