For the purpose of this class, I would like to define Mainstream Media as the corporate-owned major TV, Radios and Newspapers that are able to communicate to millions of people. The main difference between mainstream media and community media is the different “power sources” and how they are wired to the communication.
Mainstream Media
Financial gain is the essential driver or “power source” for most of the mainstream media – and it’s content seems to serve that purpose. It seems to me that most decisions about content – in Major Newspapers and TV – are based on what will drive readership and thus advertising revenue. With less than 5 corporations owning almost all of the main stream media, the general public is bound to get an extremely biased sense of world events.
“The media cartel that keeps us fully entertained and permanently half-informed is always growing here and shriveling there, with certain of its members bulking up while others slowly fall apart or get digested whole.” - MARK CRISPIN MILLER
At my gym, they have a row of TV’s in front of all the starirmasters and eliptical machines. And I get to watch crap for 45 minutes. In dazed wonderment, I look at a home made video of a convenient store robbery on one set, an infomercial for what seems to be the best duster made one earth on another set, and then Saved By The Bell on another set. What else can we do but throw away our television sets?
Community Media
Community media’s “power source” is the common goal shared by a group – and that common goal is communicating particular content that is of interest to the group. The community has little concern regarding how many “eye balls” see their content. They just want share content that’s important to them.
Craigslist has had a major impact on millions of lives – and it’s common goal is the shared content. Sure, someone needs to sell a set of Chevy Lumina Air Bags so they can get money for school. But there are also folks looking for friendship or some advice on a good wine.
The phenomena of blogging, facebook, myspace and photo blogs has put the control of content somewhat back in the hands of the people – yay! – ; – )
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: corporate control, media studies
