Current media challenges Summary
Week 1 – Lecture 1, 2 & literature
Lecture 1: Introduction to the course – Martin Tanis
Course goal
The course focuses on new challenges that arise from modern media technologies,
especially social media and digital communication.
The course will:
1. Define and explain new media-related challenges affecting individuals and society.
2. Use a theory- and evidence-based approach (research and scientific theories).
3. Discuss the normative and ethical aspects of technological developments.
This means the course is not only about what technology does, but also about whether it is
good or problematic for society.
Key questions of the course
Two central questions guide the course:
1. How has the media landscape changed over the last decades?
2. Is our relationship with media technology positive or negative?
These questions reflect the ongoing debate between utopian and dystopian views of
technology.
Changes in the media landscape
Shift in media consumption: Over the last decades there have been major changes in how
people consume media and information.
Important trends include:
1. Decline of traditional media
* Examples:
Broadcast television viewing has declined.
Newspapers and traditional journalism are less dominant.
* People increasingly rely on online sources and social media for information.
2. Rise of digital and social Media
* Platforms such as social media have become major sources of: news, social
interaction, entertainment & political information>
* This shift changes:
how people receive information
how information spreads
how people form opinions
, 3. Personalized media environments
* Digital media allows: personalized news feeds, algorithmic recommendations &
targeted advertising
* This means people no longer receive the same information, which can influence
public opinion and democracy.
Topics covered in the course
Several lecturers focus on different media challenges.
Daniel Preciado Vanegas – Social technologies: Benefits and risks
What are Social Technologies?
* Social technologies refer to artificial agents designed to interact socially with
humans.
* Examples: social robots, AI assistants, conversational agents
* They are considered a new type of actor in society, sometimes described as an
“artificial species”.
Dian van Huijstee – Political news and misinformation
* Misinformation: refers to false or misleading information shared without
necessarily intending harm.
* Important aspects studied: how misinformation spreads, its social consequences &
strategies to reduce misinformation
Doug Parry – Online hate and safety
* Online hate: includes hostile communication directed at individuals or groups.
* Research focuses on: why people behave aggressively online, who spreads hate &
who becomes targets
Martin Tanis – Privacy and media multitasking
* Online Privacy: questions such as: What does privacy mean? & Why do people
share personal information online?
Utopian vs Dystopian views of technology
Technological developments are often viewed from two perspectives.
Utopia: A utopian perspective sees technology as improving society. Characteristics:
* optimism about the future
* belief in technological progress
* belief that technology empowers individuals
* Example: The internet allowing free access to knowledge.
Dystopia: A dystopian perspective focuses on risks and negative outcomes. Examples:
* surveillance
* misinformation
* loss of privacy
* social manipulation
,Industrial revolutions
Technological change is often explained through four industrial revolutions.
1. 1st industrial revolution (1760–1820)
* Key development: mechanization of production using steam power.
* Examples: steam engines, textile factories
2. 2nd industrial revolution (1870–1914)
* Key developments: electricity, mass production & assembly lines
* Example: Ford’s car factories.
3. 3rd industrial revolution (around 1969–?): Also called the digital revolution.
* Key technologies: computers, electronics, information technology & the internet
4. 4th industrial revolution (2012–present): The current revolution combines physical,
digital, and biological technologies.
* Key technologies include: Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, Internet of Things (IoT)
& biotechnology
Important societal questions
How will automation affect jobs?
How should governments regulate new technologies?
What are the economic and social consequences of digital transformation?
How can technology support sustainability?
Lecture 2: Introduction to Online Privacy – Martin Tanis
What is privacy?
Privacy is not a fixed concept. It depends on: time, culture, individuals & context.
This means what counts as private differs between societies and situations.
Privacy and time
Ideas about privacy change historically.
Example: Before the internet, personal communication was often temporary and private.
Today, communication is often: stored, searchable & permanent.
This changes the meaning of privacy.
Privacy and culture
Privacy norms differ between cultures.
Individualistic cultures
* Examples: United States & Western Europe
* Characteristics:
strong emphasis on individual rights
privacy seen as a fundamental right
personal autonomy is important
, Collectivistic cultures
* Examples: East Asia & Middle East
* Characteristics:
group harmony is prioritised
sharing information within communities is common
less emphasis on individual privacy
Privacy differences within Europe
Northern Europe
* Examples: Netherlands, Germany & Scandinavia
* Characteristics:
more personal space
less spontaneous interaction with strangers
Southern Europe
* Examples: Italy, Spain & Greece
* Characteristics:
more physical closeness
more spontaneous social interaction
more casual conversation with strangers
Privacy and individual differences
People differ in:
how much privacy they want
how comfortable they are sharing information
Example: Some people share personal details easily, while others are more reserved.
Privacy and context
Privacy expectations depend on context. Example:
You might share:
personal feelings with close friends
professional information with colleagues
very little with strangers
The core tension of online communication
Online communication always involves a trade-off.
More disclosure → more benefits
* Examples: social support, friendship & validation
More disclosure → more risks
* Examples: privacy breaches, misuse of personal data, reputational damage
Therefore the key question becomes: How much should we share online?
Week 1 – Lecture 1, 2 & literature
Lecture 1: Introduction to the course – Martin Tanis
Course goal
The course focuses on new challenges that arise from modern media technologies,
especially social media and digital communication.
The course will:
1. Define and explain new media-related challenges affecting individuals and society.
2. Use a theory- and evidence-based approach (research and scientific theories).
3. Discuss the normative and ethical aspects of technological developments.
This means the course is not only about what technology does, but also about whether it is
good or problematic for society.
Key questions of the course
Two central questions guide the course:
1. How has the media landscape changed over the last decades?
2. Is our relationship with media technology positive or negative?
These questions reflect the ongoing debate between utopian and dystopian views of
technology.
Changes in the media landscape
Shift in media consumption: Over the last decades there have been major changes in how
people consume media and information.
Important trends include:
1. Decline of traditional media
* Examples:
Broadcast television viewing has declined.
Newspapers and traditional journalism are less dominant.
* People increasingly rely on online sources and social media for information.
2. Rise of digital and social Media
* Platforms such as social media have become major sources of: news, social
interaction, entertainment & political information>
* This shift changes:
how people receive information
how information spreads
how people form opinions
, 3. Personalized media environments
* Digital media allows: personalized news feeds, algorithmic recommendations &
targeted advertising
* This means people no longer receive the same information, which can influence
public opinion and democracy.
Topics covered in the course
Several lecturers focus on different media challenges.
Daniel Preciado Vanegas – Social technologies: Benefits and risks
What are Social Technologies?
* Social technologies refer to artificial agents designed to interact socially with
humans.
* Examples: social robots, AI assistants, conversational agents
* They are considered a new type of actor in society, sometimes described as an
“artificial species”.
Dian van Huijstee – Political news and misinformation
* Misinformation: refers to false or misleading information shared without
necessarily intending harm.
* Important aspects studied: how misinformation spreads, its social consequences &
strategies to reduce misinformation
Doug Parry – Online hate and safety
* Online hate: includes hostile communication directed at individuals or groups.
* Research focuses on: why people behave aggressively online, who spreads hate &
who becomes targets
Martin Tanis – Privacy and media multitasking
* Online Privacy: questions such as: What does privacy mean? & Why do people
share personal information online?
Utopian vs Dystopian views of technology
Technological developments are often viewed from two perspectives.
Utopia: A utopian perspective sees technology as improving society. Characteristics:
* optimism about the future
* belief in technological progress
* belief that technology empowers individuals
* Example: The internet allowing free access to knowledge.
Dystopia: A dystopian perspective focuses on risks and negative outcomes. Examples:
* surveillance
* misinformation
* loss of privacy
* social manipulation
,Industrial revolutions
Technological change is often explained through four industrial revolutions.
1. 1st industrial revolution (1760–1820)
* Key development: mechanization of production using steam power.
* Examples: steam engines, textile factories
2. 2nd industrial revolution (1870–1914)
* Key developments: electricity, mass production & assembly lines
* Example: Ford’s car factories.
3. 3rd industrial revolution (around 1969–?): Also called the digital revolution.
* Key technologies: computers, electronics, information technology & the internet
4. 4th industrial revolution (2012–present): The current revolution combines physical,
digital, and biological technologies.
* Key technologies include: Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, Internet of Things (IoT)
& biotechnology
Important societal questions
How will automation affect jobs?
How should governments regulate new technologies?
What are the economic and social consequences of digital transformation?
How can technology support sustainability?
Lecture 2: Introduction to Online Privacy – Martin Tanis
What is privacy?
Privacy is not a fixed concept. It depends on: time, culture, individuals & context.
This means what counts as private differs between societies and situations.
Privacy and time
Ideas about privacy change historically.
Example: Before the internet, personal communication was often temporary and private.
Today, communication is often: stored, searchable & permanent.
This changes the meaning of privacy.
Privacy and culture
Privacy norms differ between cultures.
Individualistic cultures
* Examples: United States & Western Europe
* Characteristics:
strong emphasis on individual rights
privacy seen as a fundamental right
personal autonomy is important
, Collectivistic cultures
* Examples: East Asia & Middle East
* Characteristics:
group harmony is prioritised
sharing information within communities is common
less emphasis on individual privacy
Privacy differences within Europe
Northern Europe
* Examples: Netherlands, Germany & Scandinavia
* Characteristics:
more personal space
less spontaneous interaction with strangers
Southern Europe
* Examples: Italy, Spain & Greece
* Characteristics:
more physical closeness
more spontaneous social interaction
more casual conversation with strangers
Privacy and individual differences
People differ in:
how much privacy they want
how comfortable they are sharing information
Example: Some people share personal details easily, while others are more reserved.
Privacy and context
Privacy expectations depend on context. Example:
You might share:
personal feelings with close friends
professional information with colleagues
very little with strangers
The core tension of online communication
Online communication always involves a trade-off.
More disclosure → more benefits
* Examples: social support, friendship & validation
More disclosure → more risks
* Examples: privacy breaches, misuse of personal data, reputational damage
Therefore the key question becomes: How much should we share online?
