Hegemony in the age of New and Digital Media

The Ian Tomlinson case is a tragic story and shows the power of those who are higher up in society. Ian Tomlinson was an English newspaper vendor who collapsed and died on his way home from work after being brutally attacked by a police officer (Simon Harwood) during the G-20 summit protests. He was unlawfully killed and to make matters worse the video of his death was made viral through social media and video sharing sites such as YouTube. However at the time of his death the officer was considered to be carrying out his duties and the press said nothing of it. This is where digital media took action and normal people expressed their views strongly enough for the story to be covered and for Simon Harwood to be charged with manslaughter. However, despite the great efforts made and number of opinions on the matter shared by people through the use of digital media; the verdict was 'not guilty'. This is a prime example of how those at a higher level of authority still maintain power despite the shift of power through digital media, even though the case was popular (in a negative way) all over the internet, the man still got away with the charges and was free to go as of the 19th of July. Ultimately this could suggest that the power of digital media is strong as it brought the case into the equation, giving it so much coverage that the issue had to be addressed but evidently the officer was free to go, meaning that we don't really have as much power through digital media as we think and the politicians and those who are part of 'traditional media' are still and always will have more power.

The new and digital media is a huge aspect of media; covering social media sites such as Facebook and twitter which ultimately are a huge part of people’s lives. Not only does the new and digital media provide people who are considered to be lower than those in control of the hegemonic views presented in society (usually through traditional media) with a chance to express themselves through the use of social networks and blog sites but it arguably has an effect of what the actual hegemonic view in society is. And so it does in fact challenge the traditional dominant hegemonic views however at the same time it could agree with them. If an opinion is expressed enough by a large amount of people through the new and digital media than ultimately those in control of traditional media may begin to change their own opinions to the same in order to maintain power and control and this ultimately is an example of how new and digital media challenges traditional media.

The Ian Tomlinson case is a tragic story and shows the power of those who are considered to be higher up in society. Ian Tomlinson was an English newspaper vendor who collapsed and died in his way home from work after being brutally attacked by a police officer (Simon Harwood) during the G-20 summit protests. He was unlawfully killed and to make matters worse the video of his death was made viral through social media and video sharing sites such as YouTube. However at the time of his death the officer was considered to be carrying out his duties and the press said nothing of it. This is where digital media took action and normal people were able to express their views enough for the story to be covered and for Simon Harwood to be charged with manslaughter. However, despite the great efforts made and number of opinions on the matter shared by people through the use of digital media the verdict was 'not guilty'. This is a prime example of how those at a higher level of authority still maintain power despite the shift of power through digital media, even though the case was popular (in a negative way) all over the internet, the man still got away with the charges and was free to go as of the 19th of July. Ultimately this could suggest that the power of digital media is strong as it brought the case into the equation, giving it so much coverage that the issue had to be addressed but evidently the officer was free to go, meaning that we don't really have as much power through digital media as we think and the politicians and those who are part of 'traditional media' are still and always will have more power than the little people.

2) Do you agree that new and digital media challenges the traditional, dominant hegemonic views? Why?