Today's LLA was a full of shocking facts. We learned about Web 2.0 and the correlation between mass media and societies. First of all, we subconsciously knew the definition of Web 2.0 by our daily experiences: use of SNS (social networking service). Some major examples are Facebook, Twitter, tumblr or yelp. Compared to Web 1.0, which we are only allowed to visit and view the websites, Web 2.0 allows citizens to post, share, or upload their information freely. We are right in the generation of Web 2.0 and are benefited in many ways. However, the development of Web 2.0 meant something bigger; it gave power to the people.
Rab then showed us several video clips of people protesting against WTO meeting taken place at downtown Seattle in November 1999 and police's correspondence. Police was not expecting the protest to be so successful; therefore, they forcibly suppressed the movement, by spraying pepper spray directly at their faces. That was just simply unbelievable; I probably had a dubious expression on my face throughout the clips. How was it reported by mass media? Well, what they are supposed to do is to defend the police, so most reports started with the phrase, "Police said." They even answered at the interview that injury was less than 20.
Similar kinds of disasters occurred at Wall Street protest. Police used a tactic called kettling, and again one of the officers sprayed pepper spray on females' faces. However, Web 2.0 gave people power. Someone was video-recording that incident and uploaded on a video website and from the information gathered by everyone else who found out his identity, he was brought to the court. Web 2.0 became a strong weapon for people by sharing information. Afterward we watched a clip on UK police attacking a man on a wheelchair, and it was as horrendous as other videos.
I learned that "collaboration is everything." At the same time, I questioned "what is justice? what is freedom of speech?" Strong bond between mass media and police keeps censoring any information that is harmful to them. So what should we do to cope with this? We should be the one to create the media.
"Don't Hate the Media, Become the Media" should be our motto.
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