Media for Social Change

New Media For Social Change

Historically,
the beginning of visual media and even audio media were used for many
purposes by the different countries. The most miss utilization of this
fantastic media was used for propaganda during World War. This was the
time when this media was trying to developed from its childhood stage.
It is a say that well begin is half done. While in this case, it was an
opposite experience. Time has changed and this media has flourished
with a new technology and today we are talking this by using a new
media language. The whole history of electronic media had seen
different stages of how people, countries and the world has had used
this for their benefit. Today, communication rule the world, it is so
personalized that people now starting avoiding talking to each other,
meeting to each other. I would say it is a kind of psychic air which
almost grabs the people's mind and heart. The socializing factor has
gone in the background. Another factor related with this communication
technology is information, which furthermore considered as a power.
Thousands of people need information about their health, education,
livelihood, and so on. For instance, take the example of HIV/AIDS and
STDs, if people know how to avoid these diseases, this could not be
happened what actually happening in African countries or other part of
the world. If people know that, saving environment means they are
saving all living being including themselves, may be then there is no
need of making "In convenient truth (an environmental documentary by Al
Gore)". It is actually a long debate but what I mean is that the time
has come to think what best use of New Media technology and knowledge
could be? The idea of "Visual media for social change" developed
through all these madness. This is not a new idea, but this could be a
reminder for and could be an alarm for, hey guys what are you thinking
to go ahead with fantasy world? or would you like to give some
contribution back to your society? It is not forcible to anyone or no
one can change the idea or mind of anyone but it could be a serious
question for New Media Artist that, what benefit is you going to do for
society? Is it a technology and a toy for fun loving societies, where
food, health, education, shelter, livelihood is not an issue? My
supplementary question could be the opposite of mentioned question. For
the last few months, I am trying to search all these answers in the
light of the New Media Arts. It was not a surprise for me that my idea
and thinking is most marginalized in the fantasy world of the New
Media. However, being an optimistic and a social activist I will always
advocate for the use of New Media for social change. Today’s discussion
with Eleanor was great in the sense of New Media advocacy.

Thanks,

Jayprakash Panwar ‘JP’