Communication Technology Week 2 Development of the “New Media” “New Media”

Information Society We are living in an Information Society We are living in an Information Society Originated from Japan (1960s) and was referred to ‘post-industrial’ society Originated from Japan (1960s) and was referred to ‘post-industrial’ society An objective description of our time and the type of society which is emerging (driven by information) An objective description of our time and the type of society which is emerging (driven by information)

What is information society? In Information society, the exchange of information is the predominant economic activity In Information society, the exchange of information is the predominant economic activity Society is driven by information – the latest international news, the creation of computer databases…. Society is driven by information – the latest international news, the creation of computer databases…. It is also driven by rapid changes in technological developments - information can be equated with power It is also driven by rapid changes in technological developments - information can be equated with power

Information Society We are becoming a society based on service (service industry) rather than manufacturing We are becoming a society based on service (service industry) rather than manufacturing We no longer distinct various mass media (i.e., books, newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, film, telephone, and computers) –because of convergence activities We no longer distinct various mass media (i.e., books, newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, film, telephone, and computers) –because of convergence activities “Information superhighways” - relay vast amounts to information to our offices & homes “Information superhighways” - relay vast amounts to information to our offices & homes

Understanding information? Understanding information? What is information? A collection of symbols that, when combined, communicates a message A collection of symbols that, when combined, communicates a message When we write a note – we combine letters & numbers to convey your thoughts/ideas, a message that has meaning to both of you When we write a note – we combine letters & numbers to convey your thoughts/ideas, a message that has meaning to both of you E.g. lecture note, memo, computer languages, slang, gesture E.g. lecture note, memo, computer languages, slang, gesture

Understanding information? To understand on the exchanged information (message) – both parties need to have share understanding of the message or information - created by culture or society To understand on the exchanged information (message) – both parties need to have share understanding of the message or information - created by culture or society F-I-F-A W-o-r-l-d C-u-p – is not just a collection of letter: it’s a concept F-I-F-A W-o-r-l-d C-u-p – is not just a collection of letter: it’s a concept E.g., UTAR, KTAR, KLCC, EU, E.g., UTAR, KTAR, KLCC, EU,

Communication System What is a communication system? A) A concept where information, coded in signal form, can be exchanged e.g. to phone a friend, the communication system include telephone receivers, telephone line, and other component e.g. to phone a friend, the communication system include telephone receivers, telephone line, and other component B) Communication Tools= their applications, the implications that arise from the production, manipulation, and potential exchange of information

Changing Media Technologies 21th Century – a digital era where the entire world is “going digital” 21th Century – a digital era where the entire world is “going digital” Analog – communication uses continuously varying signals corresponding to the light of sounds originated by the source Analog – communication uses continuously varying signals corresponding to the light of sounds originated by the source Digital - conversion of sound, pictures, and text into computer-readable formats by changing them into strings of electronic 1s and 0s Digital - conversion of sound, pictures, and text into computer-readable formats by changing them into strings of electronic 1s and 0s Name examples of analog and digital Name examples of analog and digital

Changing Media In A Changing World Media Convergence – integration of mass media, computers, and telecommunications Media Convergence – integration of mass media, computers, and telecommunications Advances in computers & telecommunications networks have led to their merging [convergence] with conventional mass (print / radio / TV / telephones) Advances in computers & telecommunications networks have led to their merging [convergence] with conventional mass (print / radio / TV / telephones)

Media Convergence This convergence is apparent in many different ways – the rise of the Internet / the integration of communication technologies / the merging of media empires / new lifestyles / new careers / changing regulations & shifting social issues This convergence is apparent in many different ways – the rise of the Internet / the integration of communication technologies / the merging of media empires / new lifestyles / new careers / changing regulations & shifting social issues Merging of technologies Merging of technologies Merging of industries Merging of industries

Merging of technologies Technological changes shake up conventional media Technological changes shake up conventional media E.g., Napster Website, internet radio, DVD, digital camera, the Internet E.g., Napster Website, internet radio, DVD, digital camera, the Internet New digital media will coexist with conventional media New digital media will coexist with conventional media E.g., The Internet with newspaper – The Star and Star.com, Sin Chew Daily and Sinchew-i.com E.g., The Internet with newspaper – The Star and Star.com, Sin Chew Daily and Sinchew-i.com

Merging of industries Telephone, computer, cable television, and media firms are merging and forming partnerships Telephone, computer, cable television, and media firms are merging and forming partnerships E.g., American Online and Time Warner, Microsoft in videogame, broadcasting, cable television, publishing, and Internet E.g., American Online and Time Warner, Microsoft in videogame, broadcasting, cable television, publishing, and Internet What about in Malaysia? What about in Malaysia?

Changing Media Throughout History Preagriculture Society - Most people lived in small groups - Hunters or gatherers - Depended on spoken word - Many people are illiterate Do we still have society like that?

Agriculture Society - Economy based on farms or resource extraction (fishing, mining, logging) - Societies are more settled and complex - Introduced written language - Only religious orders and merchant can write and read - Primary mass media was hand-copied “books”

Industrial Society – Industrial Revolution – Steam engine by Thomas Newcomen - Gutenburg Bible Improving the speed of book production - Mass production of books in large cities - Triggering mass migration - Encouraged the speed of literacy - Urbanization, literacy rate and the need of advertising the first mass medium - newspaper

Information Society - Can be found in preagricultural societies - Growing information workers in Dominant medium in an information society is one that helps to create, store, and process information: computer

Tutorial Questions – Week 3 1. What is media convergence? 2. List four examples of the convergence phenomenon in Malaysia, two in technologies and two in industries 3. What is information society? 4. How does the role of the media differ between industrial and information society?

References Green, L. (2001). Communication, Technology and Society. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Green, L. (2001). Communication, Technology and Society. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Straubhaar, J.D., & LaRose, R. (2002). Media Now: Communications Media in the Information Age. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. Straubhaar, J.D., & LaRose, R. (2002). Media Now: Communications Media in the Information Age. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. Mirabito, M. M. & Morgenstern, B. L. (2004). The new communication technologies (5th ed). New York: Focal Press. Mirabito, M. M. & Morgenstern, B. L. (2004). The new communication technologies (5th ed). New York: Focal Press.