Have an opinion

The issue I have chosen:

• The growth of interactive and digital media (e.g. social networks, catch-up TV, SKY+, Netflix) and the impact this has had upon the traditional media forms (Newspaper, magazine, Cinema, TV etc.)

My response:

• What is the current situation regarding your chosen issue? - As the use and development of interactive and social media grows, traditional media forms suffer a negative impact as they're used less and less by people today (e.g. TV shows can now be recorded, watched later on catch-up and also watched on digital media websites such as Netflix). Interactive and digital media continues to grow, most being more suited to a persons routine (Not having to rush home to watch a certain show, catch-up on films and shows which have been missed along with interactive apps which can be used anywhere to control TV recordings). Where as the sales of magazines and newspapers continue to decrease as articles and information can be easily accessed online without the hassle of having visiting a shop. Also although cinemas are still a popular place to visit, they aren't as popular as they have been in the past, as films are easily available on sites such as Netflix or are released a short time after on DVD, meaning that they can be watched in the comfort of your own home and watched several times instead of having to travel and pay to watch it in a cinema.
• How did it get this way? - Over time as technology has developed so have the different types interactive and social media. Technology used to be a lot simpler than it is today, with only regular TV channels, along with very few social media websites, magazines and newspapers. Around this time traditional media forms were a lot more significant as these were mainly the only ways to watch shows, get information and read articles. Where as today technology has vastly developed where things can be easily accessed where ever you are in the world. You no longer need physical copies of newspapers or magazine as articles can be read online using a mobile, tablet or computer. There are interactive and digital media sites such as Netflix where films and TV shows an be watched whenever, wherever. Along with this there are several other ways of watching shows and films, one example of this being Catch-up TV. Companies such as Sky+, Virgin media and BBC iPlayer allow shows/films to be set for recording (this can be done on the TV itself or by an app) and also allow you to catch-up on anything you've missed that week that you didn't have chance to record.
• What is your informed opinion about the issue? - I feel as though interactive and digital media dominates against traditional media forms, as they are becoming part of our daily lives. Although some people still continue to use traditional methods (for example watching shows live or buying a newspaper to see what events have recently taken place) interactive and digital media forms are easily accessible and cause less hassle in our day to day environment.
• What do you foresee happening in the future? - I think that technology will continue to develop, introducing more and more variations of interactive and digital media; with traditional media forms being used less and less. I feel as though traditional media forms will always be used (especially films in cinema) but interactive and digital media will continue to grow and be easily accessible to everyone.