Technological advancements over the past decade have produced a generation of innovative creators unlike any the world has encountered. Media globalization in turn has given citizens around the globe to become producers of content that others consume. One issue with this increasingly globalized world is the division between those who have Internet access and those who do not. When I refer to the western or the Arab world I do not mean to generalize and say that my comments are true for the entire population, but for many these statistics are correct. What does this globalization and media revolution mean for the planet? Countries with freer Internet access exercise more chances to contribute and in turn dominate the global media sphere, does this mean that countries with restricted access to media have less control over global media discourse?
As people in developed countries immerse themselves within this digital culture, more and more people are becoming producers of the content we ingest. Global sharing of content has caused a media revolution; it is opening up creative opportunities that we have yet to see. This increase in ability to share media content is bringing people around the globe closer together through various mediums. In developed countries this technological revolution has yielded brilliant creators but also given any one the change to become an artist, musician, inventor, journalist, dj, filmmaker and writer. It has led people to seek their inner artistic potential and provided them the means to do so. In the developed world, the fact that digital media is so readily accessible and easy to use, helps us all become producers through sharing media.
Technologies on the Internet and new updated computers help train the average Joe to produce and spin mad beats just like their favorite dj. Quality products are cheaper to buy and easier to use, resulting in an overflow of artistic presence in the art and media scene. With a decent camera and basic knowledge in Photoshop, it is not difficult to turn any picture into an attractive, professional looking photograph. Growing your fan base is easy with the various websites where one can display their work. Not to mention the fact that personal blogs are taking over and even shutting down from the high traffic. The world of journalism is affected as well; citizen journalism is taking over the blogosphere. Any person can produce their personal version of a story or comment on an existing story on a multitude of forums. Personal contributions to the music or art scene are now as easy as having time and an Internet connection. The sharing of this entire user-generated media causes the global sphere to receive an uneven amount of western generated content.
The way in which developed countries experience this digital media is unequal compared to lesser-developed countries. Media globalization becomes a luxury to those who have no difficulty accessing and contributing to it. Countries like Britain and the United States are setting the stage for what media production should look like all over the world. These countries have at least 70% but in many cases over 90% Internet usage concentrated in collaborative web use making them a dominant voice in media globalization (Statistics). Western European countries and the US make up for just over 50% of Internet users in the entire world (Internet Usage). With all the available technologies and digital media people in the west are subjected to, they begin to feel left out if they are not contributing to the sphere of public media. This is the message that the western world is sending to its citizens regarding use of new media, since you have such instant access to any media you should be contributing, which in turn further establishes Western dominance in the media playing field.
By contrast, developing countries are adapting to the new age of technology through consumption. Looking at some Arab countries one can see that the digital divide is still prevalent in affecting access and quality of access, many governments are repressive and against free flow of information that the internet offers. Comparing Arab users in the middle east to US they are more passive, as the US focuses on user generated content, producing, buying, selling and sharing. Arab Internet is significantly more limited and though it is said there is no significant usage gap it has been reported that UAE with the highest usage in the Arab world has a mere 50% Internet usage where countries like Libya are less than 10% (Internet usage). In 2009, the UAE had 2.9 million Internet users, Bahrain had 0.4 million and Libya did not even make the list. Compare this to Western Europe, Germany has 65 million users, Britain had 51 million and on the lower end, the Netherlands had 15 million users (Internet Usage). The ways in which they use the Internet are different as well; they tend to take a more of a consumer role of media because contribution is harder to do than in more democratic states. The trends also are showing that though western digital media is dominant, Arab Internet usage in terms of social media are localizing and globalizing.
Though the Middle East may lack as much Internet access as more westernized countries, their user growth from 2000-2010 was 1,825% (Internet Usage). This statistic shows that the Internet populations in these countries are some of the fastest expanding in the entirety of the world. When Arab users do use new digital media it has been seen to empower them and changing the way the world viewed them previously. They are gaining international attention, a newfound sense of individuality, power and respect from this media use. The recent uprisings in Egypt and how citizens used new media like Twitter and Facebook as a revolutionary tool and because they drastically needed to change their circumstances regarding freedom. This example shows that people in countries that normally have less affect on the international flow of media can actually make a huge difference. Western news stations dropped everything to have the most complete coverage of these events and the entire world turned its attention to what people in Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries were saying. It also shows that with more access to digital media, people have an increased influence in worldwide media and can actually make an impact. The use of new media in this case disrupts current hegemonic ideologies regarding flow of dominant media, smaller countries can counter dominant media flows.
As people continue to use these technologies they must be cautious of the value they have. Though Twitter and Facebook are exceptional tools to aid in global communication they should not be relied upon for all one's information because they are biased and can be used to mislead consumers. Not everyone uses these media technologies to produce important or constructive media. Users everywhere must be aware that the Internet and social medias are opinionated and not everything stated on the Internet is a fact. The global digital media sphere is disproportionately represented by western voices, which in turn subjects a person to content that is overwhelmingly shaped by western ideals. Everyone is ingesting and sharing media unequally. This does not mean that less dominant countries cannot make a difference however. As countries in the Middle East continue to expand and develop their liberties and gain more access to higher quality internet, the world is sure to see a larger presence of counter flows to western and dominant media.
The world is experiencing a media revolution and as globalization continues to spread, citizens worldwide will get more chances to express themselves and impact global media discourse. What does all this flow of information and technological adaption mean for us in the future? As more and more people contribute to this dominant flow of media, is the public receiving better content or are we simply overwhelmed with average media? If everyone is a DJ or a Professional grade photographer or writer is the quality of media going to stay as high as it is currently? How are people going to stand out if everyone contributes to this digital world? Will the world of journalism see fairer or more biased stories if anyone can produce a story in a matter of minutes? With increased access to digital media and the Internet, will lesser-developed countries have a stronger presence in global media discourse?
