New Media and a democratic society (eBook)

Essay from the year 2014 in the subject Communications - Multimedia, Internet, New Technologies, grade: A, ( Atlantic International University ), course: Journalism, language: English, abstract: New Media refers to cell phones with the power of computers ten years ago, high speed internet available anywhere without requiring a desktop computer, and rapid communications which can transfer not just voice files, but data of all sorts. Since the so called Arab Spring(s) starting in 2011-2012, it has been argued famously that these 'revolutions' were made possible by the rapidity of communication. In other words, that new media made the transfer of ideas from one place to another easier and instantaneous. Ideas mean here video, audio, data or files containing anything and everything. However, the data suggest that this is not the case. Even if it were the case, that this new media is so class based (at least in the developing world) that it can be as dangerous as it is beneficial.

Felix Babatunde Ale, a household name in the field of Journalism, Corporate Communications as well as Space Science and Technology development in Nigeria and Africa, is indeed an excellent professional with inspiring records of robust and broad-based experience in his chosen career. An exemplary focus of discipline, dedication, selfless services, humility and loyalty, Felix Ale has defined himself as a strong, indefatigable and committed communication strategist and indeed a worthy ambassador of Nigeria Union of Journalists. He holds a Ph.D. in Journalism (WITH DISTINCTION) from the prestigious ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY in the United States with a broad-based research interest on SPACE JOURNALISM. This research work represents the first in the academic history of Nigeria. Felix Ale is currently Director Media and Corporate Communications of the National Space Research and Development Agency of Nigeria. He is also the Editor in Chief of NIGERIA SPACE DIGEST, a monthly publication of the Space Agency. In addition, he is a member of the Editorial Board of DISCOVERIES MAGAZINE, a monthly publication of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ale, a very distinguished media practitioner has equally attended the INTERNATIONAL SPACE UNIVERSITY in France for a Post graduate course on Space Science and technology. He was also at the prestigious HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL in the United States and UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD where he successfully completed different short term post-graduate courses respectively. He has previously worked as Staff Reporter, Government House Correspondent, News Editor, Press Attache to Military Governors and Chief Press Secretary to a democratically elected government in Ondo State, Nigeria. The African media Icon also attended a good number of foreign courses, workshops and conferences on media as well as Space Science and Technology across the globe. Felix Ale, a one-time JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR IN ONDO STATE-NIGERIA has also delivered papers at different national and international fora and has received several national and international merit awards. Today, he is one of the leading Science Journalists/ Communication Experts in Africa and belongs to various local and international professional associations and groups, including World's largest organization for Public Relations-Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), World Federation of Science Writers Association and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).