Annotated Bibliography Essay

Annotated Bibliography

Bennett, L 2003, 'The Internet and Global Activism', in N Couldry & J Curran (eds), Contesting Media Power, Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham, pp.17-39.

Dr. Bennett's chapter offers discussions surrounding worldwide growth of alternative media that is challenging the power concentration in large media corporations. As Professor of Communication and Professor of Political Science at the University of Washington, Bennett has presented lectures worldwide on the significance of media and rapid information systems in society. Through well researched argument, Bennett suggests that the distinction between information producers and consumers maybe becoming convoluted and how the empowerment offered by widely available networks of digital communication may possibly warrant an important adjustment to media hegemony theories. Labelling the internet as a "never-ending world-wide conversation"

Providing real world examples, such as the corrupt impeachment trial of Philippine President Joseph Estrada, Shirky focuses his attention on the potential for media connections to influence activism through rapid communication lines where he infers social media has become a "coordination tool for nearly all of the world's political movements". His article depicts how the communication landscape is becoming more participatory where greater access to information and more opportunities for free speech means an augmented capacity to initiate international change. His research also includes the interrelated effects of the "topology of social and technological networks" as well as the cultural aspects of such effects. Such a focus on social media in regards to power makes this a highly appropriate source for academic