The Media: Where do we go from here?
By Alondra Jimenez
Today, the media is governed by technology. Through the use of various technological advancements, the media has been able to expand its platform. In recent years, the media has generated a mass production of information. The influx of news has led to the development of things like artificial intelligence, in which the internet shares information based on the interest of the reader. This mass consumption of news has also led to the creation of internet programs like bots, which has led to the spreading of false narratives or as the President may put it “fake news”.
Through the use of artificial intelligence, websites like Facebook and Google have adopted this new algorithm that helps in altering search results, in order to match the likings of a user. For instance, based on what a user may click on, the internet is able to cater its services to the user. As far as one can tell, this new algorithm seems like a good idea for users. The underlying issue found within the use of artificial intelligence is that users are then deprived of receiving news that may challenge their thoughts or deepen their understanding of something. This is shown in Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg’s statement that “a squirrel dying in front of your house may be more relevant to your interests right now than people dying in Africa”. This shows that this new system will force our newsfeeds to reveal information that will keep us in a bubble, in which we are not exposed to the outside world.
Technology not only encourages a close-minded way of accessing information, but it can also provide a platform for “fake news”. The introduction of things like bots, which are internet programs that can interact with users as if they are real people can cause serious harm within the media. This is very present within Twitter, in which automated twitter accounts are able to send out tweets. Through the use of bots, false information is created with the intent to “manipulate stock markets, make people choose dangerous health-care options, and manipulate elections, including last year’s presidential election in the U.S.”. In this case, programs like these become a threat when they start to negatively affect things like presidential elections and other issues that determine the well-being of our society.
What does that mean for the future of media? Technology is not a threat, however, it can be dangerous when used for the wrong purposes. It is important that there is some form of surveillance on how technology is used within the media. In this case, it will prevent things like bots from spreading “fake news” and artificial intelligence from limiting what we have access to. If actions are not taken to correct the flaws of these technological advancements, then the media will become an instrument for one’s own secret agenda. In addition, if technology is given a mind of its own, it may infiltrate the minds of its consumers through media. We should control technology, not technology control us.
