The Internet (Response to Claribel Beltrez)

I agree that new media in many ways has become the new public space. People today interact with one another, at any time, in any location from around the world. The presidential election is the perfect example. Every site one visits has Social Media Sharing Buttons which allows for interaction.

I also agree that new media constitutes a public sphere as Habermas formulated. An individual reads an article and takes a stand. I think this space can either narrow or broaden a person’s point of view when a political discussion is taking place. With that said, I am not sure how much political influence or hope this space can offer our democracy. As Papacharissi states, “access to online information is not universal and equal to all. Those who can access online information are equipped with additional tools to be more active citizens and participants of the public sphere.” (p.15).

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I concur with you; the new media has brought a new phenomenon concerning interaction of people, at any time, and in any location across the world is concerned.