Please comment on at least 2 to 3 of your classmates' postings with questions or thoughtful, respectful, thorough responses.

AMY’S POST:

A) After reading under the categories in New Media and Globalization and The Impact of New Media on Intercultural Communication, apply critical thinking techniques to help Shan (2010) answer this question, "Is intercultural communication possible?" under the context of new media in global society.

Intercultural communication in a global society is possible, and there are even translation apps that allow you to communicate with different countries. However, some words are not translatable, and cultural differences will always give a different perspective on the originally intended meaning. Therefore, even different generations within the same culture have trouble communicating with the new media. I found it interesting that this cultural gap has caused a problem in understanding or even communication between generations and people in the same culture (Chen, 2012). Even though it is possible to communicate interculturally, it is hard to say how effective the communication is and if your point is getting across. 

B) Also, has digital media influenced music? What are your music habits and how do you listen to music and buy it? How have your habits changed in the way you access and buy music?

Digital media for music has changed so much since I was a kid. From relying on non-digital options to transitioning to the iPod to now just using the apple music feature on my iPhone or Spotify, digital media has never been easier to access and use. I like Spotify to build playlists and listen for free, and I have an apple music subscription. Digital media has taken off, and there are so many digital media apps that you can add to your phone or even your tv. There are many options and ways to customize your digital music, and the possibilities are truly endless. As long as you have your phone, you will have a way to access music digitally. 

C) After watching "" provide an example of how citizen journalism has been effective. Explain how it was effective and explain how citizen journalism can also be problematic. 

Citizen Journalism is a double-edged sword. It can be problematic and effective in delivering the message. It effectively provides insight into areas that many people would not have been able to see, but it is also a significant risk to the individuals who are reporting if they are caught. We have seen some of this in North Korea, where citizen journalists go and record what North Korea wants them to see, but they can sneak footage of what is going on behind the scenes. Again, this information can come at significant risk and cost to the individual reporting. 

It can also be problematic; however well-intended the information may be, it can permanently be changed to make it appeal a certain way. According to Jesse Singal (2016), citizen journalism is a good idea in theory only since they paraphrase information to suit their needs. Furthermore, he states that information is misleading and unreliable (Singal, 2016). I find it interesting since the news and the journalist reporting it seems to have the same issues if you ask me. Whether you are a citizen journalist or a journalist, the problem remains the same. 

A positive is a behind-the-scenes information that a citizen journalist can provide and first-hand accounts. For example, an editor and publisher from Japan, Ishimaru Jiro, works with North Korean "citizen journalists" after years of attempting to report North Korea as a foreign journalist (Chui, 2010). Mr. Jiro records the first-hand account and documents the pictures he receives from undercover citizens journalists. They are not afraid to get caught and want people to know what is happening behind the scenes in North Korea. 

References

Chen, G. (2012). The Impact of New Media on Intercultural Communication in Global Context. DigitalCommons@URI | University of Rhode Island Research. 

Chiu, J. (2010, June 29). North Korea's citizen journalism. The Nation. 

Singal, J. (2016, October 19). ‘Citizen journalism’ is a catastrophe right now, and It’ll only get worse. Intelligencer. 

BRITTANY’S POST:

A. Yes, intercultural communication is possible. It allows people to post content that is accessible around the world. It also allows more learning opportunities. I work in a warehouse with tons of language barriers to go through. A simple google translate we can communicate where we both understand. However, based on the article “The Impact of New Media on Intercultural Communication in Global Context” it can create problems with cultural values among some users. “The convergence of new media and globalization brings about at least six new experiences for human beings, including new textual experiences, new ways of representing the world, new relationships between users and new media technologies, new conceptions of the biological body’s relationship to technological media, and new patterns of organization and production.” (Chen, 2012) Which means new media is changing cultural identity by weakening or strengthening the relationship of people in the community. (Chen, 2012) It does allow people a glimpse in how people around the world live their lives though in an instance.

A. Yes, digital media has influenced music in many aspects. When I was young listening to favorite songs meant waiting by the radio for them to come on. You could by the CD and play it on a CD player. Then the iPod shuffle came out and I got one in the 6th grade. Now you can download CDs, songs, anything directly on your smartphone. A person can use a music service such as apple music, Spotify, and Pandora and have access to any song they want. It is easier to find songs and people who are not famous singing on YouTube. I use Apple Music and by using it I can share it with my husband on the family plan and it kept all the music I bought since I was growing up. I love music and I enjoy the easy access to all my favorite songs.

A. I believe citizen journalism can be both effective and problematic in different ways. Depending on the subject matter and what they might be leaving out. With the current war going on between Russia and Ukraine I believe it could be useful for citizens to offer the rest of the world a glimpse of what they are going through. It is a tragic event and citizens documenting their stories with the war can offer the world a look into what they are dealing with so we can help better. However, it can be problematic too. During the Covid-19 Pandemic there was false information being posted about the pandemic that gave users the wrong information and led to confusion of what is true and what is not. Now even false information regarding the vaccine Pfizer is being put out that it causes heart attacks.

References

Chen, Guo-Ming. (2012). "The impact of new media on intercultural communication in global context." China Media Research, vol. 8, no. 2, 2012, pp. 1-10. http://www.wwdw.chinamediaresearch.net/index.php/back-issues?id=54. Available at: 

Kochi, S., & TODAY, U. (2022, March 14). Fact check: False claim that FDA said vaccines are linked to heart attacks, deaths. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2022/03/14/fact-check-fda-did-not-say-vaccines-linked-heart-attacks/6844945001/

Lockrey, M. (2010). Citizen Journalism and the Democratisation of News Coverage [Video]. Retrieved from 

Stanford University. (2022, March 17). Reporting the war in Ukraine. Retrieved from