Gavin, 19 March 04
In the mid nineties when the internet was a wee’un, there was rightful optimism for it’s potential as a democratising and empowering tool. Here was a medium that anyone could use to exchange information. Netscape was an internet suite that exemplified this – not only a browser and mail/news client, it also had a html composer – anyone could be author.
Despite the early frontier spirit, it’s only in the last few years that the potential has begun to be realised. As blogging tools and easier access to server space proliferate there is a true samizdat self-publishing potential that threatens to challenge how we see democracy.
The whole future for top-down dissemination of news media has required radical rethinking. Commentary on policy and government affairs also reaches a global public forum (For instance, it means now the whole world can join in with the ridicule of David Blunkett’s amazingly stupid plans to make prisoners pay for their lodgings – even though they were innocent)
Old media meets new media in some regards as the government concludes the consultation on renewal of the BBC charter. This is the public’s chance to reflect on how the BBC should be developing in the 21st century. How should the beeb reflect government perceptions and popular culture? How can the BBC reflect changes in the way we use communication media? When it comes to the new media of the internet, the BBC’s role isn’t going to be in the traditional model of a monolithic broadcasting corporation, it isn’t likely to adopt the mantle of coordinator of online discourse either – although a British Blogging Community would be an interesting project….. But the public nature of the beeb means whether you believe in the BBC, or would welcome an unrestrained market in the media industry, there is a chance to put your views.
It is notable that the consultation exercise is open and online and that comments should be sent preferably by electronic format. Maybe there is hope still and in another decade or two, the internet really will show the extent of it’s early potential as a democratising and empowering tool.
