How media convergence affects the concept of media literacy? by: Adam Lester E. Patajo

Media convergence, as defined in The Canadian Dictionary ^[1], “is a term that can refer to either the merging of previously distinct media technologies and media forms due to digitization and computer networking; or, an economic strategy in which the media properties owned by communications companies employ digitization and computer networking to work together”.

The concept of media convergence created some opportunities and challenges to creative industries and society. Information and entertainment, for instance, are accessed like never been before. Formerly, these are accessed depending on the type of information and entertainment, for example, if we need news, we buy newspaper or if we need to connect or contact someone, we used payphones. Now, information and entertainment are revolutionized as it can now be accessed on one the same device- either computers or smartphones. The reason behind is best explained by the fact that we are innovating technology for advancement to make human life easier and comfortable. Thus, shifting from multi-media platforms to one device that can access all media is nothing shocking. As pointed out by Stephen Fry ^[2] in the video Media Convergence, “connection is what humans crave” and giving access to this information on one device, single handedly is what they crave more. With the introduction of computers and smartphones, comes the “social media revolution” (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) where people around the world are connected like living in a small village and borderless due to globalization, which in fact, impacts our offline behavior as well. Using these social media sites, makes everything possible since almost everything is found in these sites like music, news, movies, and many other sorts of entertainment or information. This fact is the reason why media companies, in order to compete, should diversify to reach more people; companies now have websites and pages throughout social media.

Media convergence, depending on its usage, can do good or bring harm to its users. It can impact humans socially, economically, and politically which means that it is all around us, whether we like it or not. As mentioned above, globalization makes the world borderless and information and entertainment is not excepted. Media is global today unlike it was never before. With this being established, media literacy is affected by media convergence in almost all aspects, as people can now browse the internet and search for anything. There are lots of reason why media convergence is good for the people but unfortunately it also brings demise to humans. As stated by the journalist David Blance ^[3] in the video (Media Convergence) and quoted “great majority of news broadcasting sides with [the] powerful against the powerless”. This means that not all information gathered or seen in the internet that are converge are reliable as there might be some bias towards one cause. Sorting data that are true and accurate is now the challenge, we can’t just swallow hook, line, and sinker the data or information found in many media.

Therefore, media literacy is really affected by media convergence in many ways or aspects. With the kind of media that we have today, information and entertainment travels like a speed of light in the fiber optics. I’m afraid that it is already late, we cannot counter it anymore, everything is already out there. It is really a changing world. To survive we must adapt, think, and maybe re-think.

References:

¹“Media Convergence.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/media-convergence.

² Media Convergence, YouTube, 2 Dec. 2011, youtu.be/7lcUKjGKiEw.

³ Media Convergence, YouTube, 2 Dec. 2011, youtu.be/7lcUKjGKiEw.