Final Blog Post

 After taking this class I’ve reflected on how important the media has and will always be. Media, in any form, is how people communicate! Throughout the 20th century there have been many shifts in technological developments including the shift from terrestrial television to satellite television to the arrival of the Internet and mobile telephony. It has been fascinating to see how these technologies have connected people transnationally and governments have sought to gain control over mass media. There is power in the media and that is why everybody, individuals and government entities, is constantly trying to put their voice out there. Journalism contributes positively to collective life, but censorship does not. The media accessible to people in the MENA region often reflects the political agendas of the leaders in that specific area.

I realized how important it is have awareness about my own digital footprint, as my public opinions and overall presence online can perpetuate to a narrative as well. I understand that in this digital age there is not one narrative that exists in a country, but many. I believe that your voice can have more strength when targeting groups the message resonates with (e.g., people who share the same political status, occupation, etc.).

After taking this class I realized how important it is to research who owns the websites I use to understand possible motivations to skew audiences one way or another. I also need to broaden my media diet and use sources that aren't based in the United States to avoid bias myself. Lastly, I realized that I consume social media most of the time and want to explore newspapers and television more. I would love to be well versed in media and not just another product of the Internet Age.