It seems the traditional broadsheets are groaning with opinion pieces on the ‘old order' being swept aside by the new media revolution. Bloggers and web users are taking the media into their own hands – writing news, stories and blogs. Now unknown novelists-to-be appear to have more chance of getting published if they have a successful blog. There are countless stories of bestselling novels that were plucked from the internet after a blog took off and became a word of mouth success.
Web 2.0 revolutionizes media
The influence of the internet, facilitated by Web 2.0, means the media's old order is facing stiff competition. In the annual Media Guardian 100 power list, Google's chief executive Eric Schmidt toppled the BBC director general Mark Thompson for the first time. Around half of those on the top 100 list are there as a result of internet and digital technology.
Figures from traditional print and media fell from the top positions on the list, including tabloid editors and radio controllers in favour of internet tycoons such as Chad Hurley (YouTube founder), Chris DeWolfe (MySpace executive) and Michael Birch (founder of Bebo).
Impact of social network media
The list reflects the impact the internet and Web 2.0 has had on the media. Traditional press and TV news have had to embrace the internet with interactive websites. The combination of trustworthy news journalism, a well known brand and a user friendly website has proved a major success for traditional media such as the BBC and The Guardian. But today's web technology and social media, known as the second wave of the internet (or Web 2.0) is also creating a more democratic media that empowers web users more than ever.
Information anarchy and Citizen Journalism
There is talk of a new counter culture, of information anarchy. News, opinions and views are on every website, blog and social network out there – but it raises serious questions about the information put out on the web. Is it reliable, trustworthy and accurate?
What has been dubbed ‘citizen journalism' on websites such as Bebo and Flickr, empowers the individual. Information is power, but the web is a world of free information. The users dictate which websites are a hit and which aren't, which is why traditional media executives are trying to adapt as fast as they can. Rupert Murdoch bought website MySpace in response to the Web 2.0 revolution and announced that "power is moving away from the old elite"*
Web 2.0 changing how media works
The areas where home produced information succeeds are the creative fields such as music, writing and art – it's a chance for artists to find new and far reaching audiences. But sites that claim to be factual and newsworthy can be untrustworthy – Wikipedia has already experienced editors who have adopted fake identities and false qualifications, such as the student posing to be a professor in theology. But one thing seems for sure – the internet and Web 2.0 are changing the way the media works and how media is consumed. Choice and control are shifting more into the hands of web users. The digital revolution will bring in new talent and new innovation, but the trusted brands and big names such as the BBC will become even more important too.
* Reported in the BBC article ‘Talkin Bout a Media Revolution'