(Development from Broadcast Culture to Today’s Participatory Culture)

Technology has inspired fascinating developments that are always evolving. The future of the dynamic life frontiers made possible by technology seems distant from being realized. Media and communication, as well as the way they are consumed, have been severely impacted by the powerful forces of technological change. The use of media and the consumption of media products have changed over the years. The traditional culture of broadcasting has undergone a substantial transformation as a result of this development, which has led to it being generally referred to as a participatory culture in the current era and times. The traditional culture is famously known for its compliance with commercial and government agencies approvability and media transmission sources which enjoy a distributed landscape. On the other hand, participatory culture is the latest culture which is defined by considerably diminishing barriers to civic engagements and artistic expressions and perceptions. Participatory culture is also a transformed system which renders conducive and supportive environment for establishing and sharing creations and informal mentorship attributes (Moyo, 2009). The aim of this paper is to focus and articulate the development process regarding the technological aspects of communication and media. It is also made to identify factors that propagate and project the emergence and spread of these innovative changes, as well as the implications of the technologies on the general society, and most importantly the influence on the development and cultural progression (Jenkins, 2006).

Critical Media and Communication Technologies behind the Development

A scintillating rate of media production, information sharing, and distribution is shaping our lives and the world in an unprecedented manner. Three key inventions have dominated the whole development cycle of communication and media. They are the mainstream distribution of television, radio and mobile phones (Winston, 1998). The modern media has experienced significant milestones, and the very first one is development radio transmitting devices which considerably transformed the consumption rate of media and the general system of communication. The same has been phenomenally impacted in the defense and military forces. Another technological development which has shaped the media culture and mainstream were computers and internet. The internet was predominantly used for international communications before its acclamation to be the current World Wide Web which is extending in the public domain. The three inventions stood firm against the test of time.

Factors affecting the introduction and diffusion of the Innovations

The process of introducing and diffusing the media and information cultural inventions has been influenced by some factors. The first and significant factor is the captivation and desire from the public. The whole desire was fueled by the demand for devices which would create and supply quality expressions of creativity (Moyo, 2009). The massive explosion of educational skills in technology also played a significant role painting the current picture of a participatory culture of media and communication.

The Impact of the Innovations

The technological innovations would not be successful if the public influence were not put into total consideration. These innovations were primary motivators for the public who were constantly captivated to look for new ways of creative expressions. The feeling at the beginning of broadcast culture era. Radio was monumental in this pioneering culture of information and communication. It was known for its resilient and unparalleled influence in the society during its era of popularity (Jenkins, 2006). With the radio devices, current affairs, breaking news and occasions of social interest were given new transmission medium thanks to the radio trained personnel.

The radio laid a robust foundation for the television and its technology. It came to revolutionize the nature of media consumption and capture a new dimension of the people’s imaginations in the world. The firm and lasting effect of television on the general households was redesigning their focus on news and communication. The world of virtual communication is also transforming the television technology to make it more indulging and interesting.

The existence of personal computer was the next technological evolution and with its integration in the modern and smart devices has enhanced the constant connection to the expansive and mouthwatering virtue world surrounding us. Whereas the technology of radio and television defined the physical grouping domain of people, the computer technology and culture have reduced the essence of physical mobility in search for information and news. People can experience issues and happenings simultaneously within their comfort zones. The participatory culture has developed as a result of the new connectivity level and the social environment of interaction created by the technology of computers and virtual information devices. The user-generated and independent content of online and radio operators draw an interesting relationship between interaction and participation as far as the traditional culture of broadcasting is concerned (Johnston, 2016). The two cultures are therefore enjoying an extensive collection of similarities and top in the list is inclusion encouragement and participation issues of their subjects.

The crucial contention point is, therefore, the ease and possibility of online distribution media enjoys. This has escalated the situation of broadcasting and dispensing information such that anyone accessing internet connection is a potential content and information broadcaster with no conditions of training and experience. The idea and logic of birth and evolution of convergence have supported the combination effects where traditional broadcast culture and elements involved simply and sustainably (Pariser, 2011). With this exclusive characteristic, the medium pinnacle of public interface fits perfectly in the new culture of christened participatory.

And the young generation is at the epicenter of all these changes. Through the digital platforms of media and communication of the modern culture, they can engage in reading, watching and conversing activities which are also tools of recording their impressions through microblogging frontiers and the explosive social networks (Creeber, 2009).

Conclusion

From critical evaluation and analysis of media consumption evolution and the culture of broadcast, it is crystal clear that the current society is in the transition and exodus from a traditional broadcast culture to the latest and modernized participatory culture. The discussion is evident to the differences about the look on the influence of specific advancement in technology and the strong similarities existing between broadcast and participatory cultures. The two cultures are very powerful in encouraging inclusion and sometimes the element of participation. The main and notable point of disparity is the ease at which the consumers of media products can change their nature and become media producers courtesy of the modern and dynamic culture. The technology of media manufacturing and processing can be accessed within the infrastructure of the two cultures. The question of participatory culture and the radio and television technology is still raw, and a substantial answer to their eternal mystery is always a challenge.

References

B Winston. (1998). Wireless and Radio. In Media Technology and Society. London Routledge Journal, 67-87.

Creeber. (2009). Digital Theory: Theorizing New Media. Digital Cultures Open University Press, 11-22.

Jenkins. (2006). Introduction to Convergence Culture. Where old and new media collide, New York, 1-24.

Johnston. (2016). Social News = Journalism Evolution? Digital Journalism, 20 April, Vol. 4, Issue 7, 899-909.

Moyo. (2009).The Digital Divide Scarcity, Inequality, and Conflict. Digital Cultures, Open University Press, Maidenhead, 122-130.

Pariser. (2011). Introduction in the Filter Bubble: What the Internet is hiding from you. Penguin Press, New York, 2-20.