NEW AND TRADITIONAL MEDIA INTRO

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE
This module introduces teachers to the role that new and converging technologies are
playing in the widening participation of citizens in social, economic and political change.
It explains how new digital and electronic forms of media (online news, blogs, Wikipedia,
YouTube, social networking applications, video gaming, etc.) have evolved from traditional
media and how they are enabling greater access to information and knowledge, Freedom
of expression, good governance and participation in democratic processes.

The co-existence of print media, broadcast media (radio and television), the Internet, mobile
phones, etc. is also allowing media content to flow across various platforms, widening
access to information and creating a participatory culture where citizens not only consume
information, but actively participate in its production and distribution. New information
and communication technologies (ICTs), for example, have opened up opportunities for
greater audience participation in information and knowledge sharing, and are encouraging
people to actively engage in the democratic process, causing more societies to open up.

In effect, new media and converging technologies are creating new spaces for self expression and participation in public discourse on a wide range of social, economic and
political issues. New media platforms are allowing citizens to consciously engage in the
democratic process in their societies, and helping to bring global news and issues much
closer to local societies.

RESOURCES FOR THIS MODULE
Please note that these are mostly US examples included for illustrative purposes only.
Trainers are expected to identify relevant local and regional resources wherever possible.
Youth Protection Toolkit, www.yprt.eu
Lenhart, A. 2009. It’s Personal: Similarities and Differences in Online Social Network
Use between Teens and Adults. Teens, Social Networking, Generations presentation
at the International Communications Association Annual Meeting. (May 2009).
www.pewInternet.org/Presentations/2009/19-Similarities-and-Differences-inOnline-Social-Network-Use.aspx
Madden, M. 2009. Eating, Thinking and Staying Active with New Media. Health,
Education, Teens, Families, Web 2.0 presentation at the National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development. (June 2009). www.pewInternet.org/Presentations/2009/15–
Eating-Thinking-and-Staying-Active-with-New-Media.aspx