Alternative Means of Communication to Propaganda - Literature review Example

Alternative Means of Communication to Propaganda Student’s name: Institution: Instructor: Subject: Alternative Means of Communication to Propaganda Propaganda is the dissemination of information and ideas with the aim of intensifying or inducing specific actions or altitudes (Silver & Maiden, 2005). Since propaganda is mostly accompanied by facts that have been distorted and by appeals to prejudice and passion, it is often thought to be misleading or false. Though some propagandists intentionally distort the facts, other people may be presenting it faithfully. Traditionally, propagandas have always been used to influence the public opinion through the use of television, skillful recruitments and use of opinion leaders and the adjustment of appeal to the group one have interest in (Richard & Michael, 2009). of In the recent years, there have been significant growth on the extent to which internet is used for social relationships. According to Wally, Larry & Keat (2011), many surveys indicate that the most frequent use of the internet is for the purpose of communication. Through computer-mediated facilities, there is maintenance of social ties and the formation of relationships among the individuals using the internet. This essay seeks to explain how online forums and social media are used as alternative means of communication to propaganda. Social media do encourage the feedbacks and the contributions of people who are interested (Shaam, 2008). Whether the users are anonymous or non-anonymous to one another, this means of communication links the media and the audience yet giving each of these components the extent to which each one may want to reveal the identity. As a result, the impact of the online social networks about the social capital can be achieved myriad ways. For example, common interest groups can help the users to coordinate the collective action. At the same time, the regular exchanges between the users can advance trust and norms of reciprocity which are the key to the background of the community life. Similarly, other news feeds do allow the users to keep in touch with what is going on out there. This way the groups of people will largely be aware of the cause of action that they need to take if such an issue happens to them or the direction in which they ought to take at that moment. Through the feedbacks too, people can be able to share freely how they generally feel about a certain issue and collectively give one another the best course of action to take. Among the people who may want to influence mass in large yet be able to hind their identity can be able to do so by using hidden identities (Al et al, 2003). Social network sites can be able to fulfill many promises that consist of delivering shared information to the users and be able to provide a place to exchange the ideas. In this era of shrinking audiences and damaged credibility has become a public institution which is very important for the media to help the citizens to connect to the society and be able to facilitate civic action. Most of the online forums and social media services are open to the participation and the feedback. They do encourage other elements like sharing, commenting and voting to the information. This kind of openness makes a very sensitive element in creating in passing messages to people. For example, Facebook social network has a public system called “The wall,” there people who have been added as “friends” can be able to leave the comments to the owner of the profile and yet be able to be viewed by other users. Most social network and online forums have similar or closely related type of system which creates openness. With it, there is nothing to prevent or control the kind of information that is displayed. And since many people are engaged on this system, they can be able to pass open messages similar to those of propagandas and be able to cause more impact (Silver & Maiden, 2005). The advantage of internet communication is that, no physical meetings will be planned to plan on a certain agenda, yet they may be able to influence and pass messages better than the other means of communication. Users of the social media are also frequently updated on the social circles. For example, Facebook has two features, “News Feed” that appears on the homepage and “Mini-Feed” which appears on the individual’s profile. Each time a user logs in; they are able to get the latest headlines on their social network. It is therefore possible to periodically update the user on events that have been happening while he or she was not logged in the site (Wally, Larry & Keat, 2011). This will ensure the user is always updated as long as he or she frequently visits the site. Safe guarding the kind of information passed on these kinds of site is not easy to control creating an open society where issues can be planned and executed. Shaam, (2008) discovered that online forums enable conversations to take place between two users who may or may not know one another. Traditionally, the media is about broadcasting or distributing content to the audience. Online media is better seen as a two way conversation. Where individuals are communicating messages that they prefer not to be known to the public, there are avenues at their disposal that can help them to exactly do that. Research shows that close and stable social relationships are likely to be established and developed by individuals who shares common altitude and interests (Salvatore & Mary, 2005). Many people finds themselves attracted to other people whom they share interest, opinions and concerns therefore realizing that this attraction may be difficult in the face to face of the relationship. Formation of friendship is structurally shaped by the environments in which one is exposed to others either in work, school or leisure activities (Ronald, 2004). With social networks and online forums, based on the comments that individuals post, it is easier to find friends that you shall be conversing and sharing with. And owing to the fact that there is still an opportunity for two or more users to converse privately without letting the rest of the internet users to know, information similar to those of propagandas can be easily passed in more efficient and effective manner that it would be on the ground. Some research reports have argued that the quality of the online social interactions is lower than that of face to face interaction and even phone conversation. However, recent developments in social media like online visual and audio calls have challenged this fact. People who may want to accelerate the quality of social interactions are increasingly using the online visual and audio calls(Richard & Michael, 2009). As a result strong ties are established more so because of the combinations in which the communication is conducted. With social media and online forums in place communities are able to quickly and effectively share their common interests like love of photography, favorite TV shows and political issue (Al et al, 2003). More than this, users can give their own agendas which they have interest in and request other people. Most social media sites allow the members to form groups that can register members and plan activities that promote the group activities. Formation of such groups results to formation of a community which can discuss and contribute the feelings freely to the members. Some of these communities are formed by not people who have never met, but people who share some offline connection (Sebastian, Namsu & Kerk, 2008). These kind of people may not be looking for increasing the number of members of their community, but would be aiming to facilitate their activities on the using the internet site. Leaders in the community sites can greatly influence the way the members through gaining trust in them. Trust involves knowledge which means that it can be changed through the accumulation of experience and information (Ronald, 2004). The specific weight of experience and information does depend on the object that is the recipient of the trust. Trust in individuals especially in the social sites is built more often through the contribution of the socialization process, for example what we have learnt from our parents. It is also through the deep knowledge of those particular individuals over a long period of time. The trust in institution is often defined as political trust and is built upon the combination of the personal experience and the information provided by sources like the mass media. Social capital theorists do suggest that it facilitates the associative behavior that fosters strong civil society that ends up making political officials and institutions more responsive, all of which is translated into a more effective democracy (Salvatore & Mary, 2005). Using online forums, it is much easier to maintain trust among the members of the community whom you know. When a group consists of members who know one another, they can periodically keep updated and in contact. This will not just strengthen their bound, but shall also ensure that members gain trust with the leaders and one another. In those situations that the leaders of the social group are anonymous, there is great risk if the members fully trust him or her. According to Jane, Lael, & Philip, (2009), in the event that this leader influences the group to associate in an activity that may lead to fateful consequences, it shall be hard to know who to hold responsible. This may even be harder for security agencies to prevent such a thing happening in future. The feeling of being connected is one thing that those in the social media feel proud of. Most types of social media aim to perfect their connectedness so that they ensure that their members are able to connect to other sites, people and resources (Sebastian, Namsu & Kerk, 2008). Unlike the dominating news outlet and other official communication mediums, social sites makes it possible for one to get the information about what and when he or she wants it. This makes the user to have control over which kind of updates that is of interest and can even be able to set the control of how that information can be received in his or her social site. This element of control would definitely make the user feel the ownership and pride of been connected. Social sites aiming to connect their users mainly have variety of channels through which the users can be able to fetch this information. The user can be able to guarantee high percentage of accuracy of that information by using multiple unrelated channels. Sometimes the users are connected for the purpose of getting information from a single site or person. The person responsible for giving out this information may use platform as a means of promoting certain type of information to the members (Antony, 2008). In this case members may be influenced to do a certain thing which would be much similar to the propaganda only that the audience in this case is communicating via internet. The repercussion of this would only be experienced by the extent to which these messages would be understood by the members (Ronald, 2004). The internet does offer new opportunities for the pseudonymous and anonymous to communicate. In this case, users can engage in political advocacy, be able to receive counseling and also perform some commercial transactions without disclosing the identity of who they are (Shaam, 2008). This cloak of anonymity can also be used to facilitate criminal or unacceptable criminal activities socially since it is difficult to hold the accountability of anonymous user. In many situations, networks between people arise from the people within engaging either directly or indirectly in conversations with one another. In more deep relationship the network analysis arise from discussions that are being framed out of cultural or social networks (Salvatore & Mary, 2005). Very few situations would be anonymity of person be fully considered. Failure to put in consideration anonymity of the other person in establishing online networks is because the users are more concerned by what the outcome of their relationship, rather than knowing who really the other person is. Individuals and organizations which include online forums, internet service providers and online services are generally allowed to determine the circumstances under which anonymity is permitted in communication using their facilities (Antony, 2008).Most forums for communication like the newsgroups, chat rooms and other corporate encourages the development that adopts the implementation of their own policies for the practices that regards the anonymity. The individuals of such organizations may or may not have full availability of the full range of anonymous communication strategies and options that they can include to determine or free the degree with which those that wish to remain anonymous and remain voluntary interaction. Protection of those who do not wish to receive the anonymous electronic communication is at the hands of the service providers. Silver & Maiden (2005) explains that in some situations, users are able to manipulate their incoming messages through filtering the messages from the anonymous remailers. When messages from anonymous remailers are identified, the computer automatically deletes it. With filtering software in place unwanted messages can be blocked though in some situations the software may also block messages that the user would wish to receive. The implications of anonymous communication are both positive and negative. In some circumstances anonymous communication online is used to share some particular valuable features and information through the internet (Gustavo & Ilan, 2006). However, some anonymous online communicators may use this as a platform to give wrong information in order to influence the online community to move in the wrong direction. According Al et al (2003) program in scientific freedoms, responsibility and law should be used to address the problem of how to promote and enhance socially desirable use of anonymous communication through the internet while discouraging the undesirable users. According to Sebastian, Namsu, & Kerk (2008), It is vital to distinguish the types and uses of anonymous communication so that the evils of one form do not serve to be the reason for unnecessarily restricting the others. In some circumstances, the anonymous communicators encourage people to be more forthcoming and to provide valuable information that they may not wish to have their names associated. In conclusion, most of research study on use of digital technologies shows that significantly a large group of people spends their leisure time online mostly on social network sites. Those on social network sites have regular contact with at least 16 people whom they have virtually met on the internet. Popularity of social network sites like Facebook, MySpace, Linkedln among others have demonstrated addictive appeal of virtual and online communities across the cultures and generations. This has led to these sites attracting different generations and cultures and hence influencing the way people do their daily activities. It is therefore possible and easy to plan and organize activities in private or public to group of interest that can replace those traditionally done traditionally. Internet communication allows both anonymous and non-anonymous communication for its members. Many people believe that the anonymous communication on the internet is acceptable and has positive values but others see it as a risk because the behaviors of anonymous users cannot be accounted for. It is therefore important that the people or the public who uses the internet to be fully aware of the current and all levels provided by various uses. References Al, T., Mark, S., Ya-ching, L. & Rob, K. (2003). Anonymous Communication Policies for the Internet, Information Society for Advancement of Science, 3 (4), 4-23. Antony, M. (2008). What is Social Media? Manila: Cardinal Book Store Gustavo, M. & Ilan, T. (2006). Online Friendship Formation, Communication Channels, and Social Closeness, International Journal of Internet Science, 1(1), 29-44 Jane, C., Lael, D., & Philip, R. (2009). Anonymous Online Communication, Journal on Online communication, 5 (2), 4-50. Richard, H. & Michael, T. (2009). Identity in Online Communities: Social Networking Sites and Languages, International Journal of Emerging Technologies & Society, 7 (2), 109-124. Ronald, L. (2004). The Analysis of Social Network, 3-12. Salvatore S. C., &Mary, J. (2005). The Mindanao Conflict in the Philippines: Roots, Costs, and Potential Peace Dividend, Conflict Prevention & Reconstruction, 5 (24), 1-13. Sebastian, V., Namsu, P., & Kerk F. (2008). Lesson from Facebook: The Effect of Social Network Sites on College Students’ Social Capital, International Symposium on Online Journalism, 5 (2), 4-50. Shaam, H. (2008). Communication Networks India: Shar books Centre Silver S., & Maiden, J. (2005). Propaganda and Facts, International Journal on Communication skills, 5 (24), 1-13. Wally, C., Larry, D., & Keat, R. (2011). Breaking the links between old and new Information Age, International Journal on Internet Communication, 4 (5), 6-40. Read More

With it, there is nothing to prevent or control the kind of information that is displayed. And since many people are engaged on this system, they can be able to pass open messages similar to those of propagandas and be able to cause more impact (Silver & Maiden, 2005). The advantage of internet communication is that, no physical meetings will be planned to plan on a certain agenda, yet they may be able to influence and pass messages better than the other means of communication. Users of the social media are also frequently updated on the social circles.

For example, Facebook has two features, “News Feed” that appears on the homepage and “Mini-Feed” which appears on the individual’s profile. Each time a user logs in; they are able to get the latest headlines on their social network. It is therefore possible to periodically update the user on events that have been happening while he or she was not logged in the site (Wally, Larry & Keat, 2011). This will ensure the user is always updated as long as he or she frequently visits the site.

Safe guarding the kind of information passed on these kinds of site is not easy to control creating an open society where issues can be planned and executed. Shaam, (2008) discovered that online forums enable conversations to take place between two users who may or may not know one another. Traditionally, the media is about broadcasting or distributing content to the audience. Online media is better seen as a two way conversation. Where individuals are communicating messages that they prefer not to be known to the public, there are avenues at their disposal that can help them to exactly do that.

Research shows that close and stable social relationships are likely to be established and developed by individuals who shares common altitude and interests (Salvatore & Mary, 2005). Many people finds themselves attracted to other people whom they share interest, opinions and concerns therefore realizing that this attraction may be difficult in the face to face of the relationship. Formation of friendship is structurally shaped by the environments in which one is exposed to others either in work, school or leisure activities (Ronald, 2004).

With social networks and online forums, based on the comments that individuals post, it is easier to find friends that you shall be conversing and sharing with. And owing to the fact that there is still an opportunity for two or more users to converse privately without letting the rest of the internet users to know, information similar to those of propagandas can be easily passed in more efficient and effective manner that it would be on the ground. Some research reports have argued that the quality of the online social interactions is lower than that of face to face interaction and even phone conversation.

However, recent developments in social media like online visual and audio calls have challenged this fact. People who may want to accelerate the quality of social interactions are increasingly using the online visual and audio calls(Richard & Michael, 2009). As a result strong ties are established more so because of the combinations in which the communication is conducted. With social media and online forums in place communities are able to quickly and effectively share their common interests like love of photography, favorite TV shows and political issue (Al et al, 2003).

More than this, users can give their own agendas which they have interest in and request other people. Most social media sites allow the members to form groups that can register members and plan activities that promote the group activities. Formation of such groups results to formation of a community which can discuss and contribute the feelings freely to the members. Some of these communities are formed by not people who have never met, but people who share some offline connection (Sebastian, Namsu & Kerk, 2008).

These kind of people may not be looking for increasing the number of members of their community, but would be aiming to facilitate their activities on the using the internet site.

Read More