070 Publizistische Medien, Journalismus, Verlagswesen
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The media is considered to be the fourth pillar in a democratic country. It acts as an effective control mechanism to check the other branches of the government. But this is only consequential when the media functions in an independent and transparent fashion with trained and neutral professionals who are aware of the accountability and consequences of their work. All these factors together would further the country as a democratic institution. Traditionally, it was legacy media responsible for a one-to-many communication process. Their goal was to provide information to the citizens. But this changed with development in technology and the use of social media in daily life. The internet brought with it new media formats which are easily accessible but also unstructured. These lowered barriers of entry in the media enabled citizens to become active participants in the communication process. As a result, these citizens developed a different relationship with the already existing media wherein they were not only the receivers to information but also co-producers. Real-time information allows users to communicate with each other and in turn widely generate public opinion on internet platforms. A many-to-many communication style emerged. While on the one hand, this type of discourse could be an opportunity for citizens to exercise their fundamental freedom of speech and expression, it is on the other hand, proving to have a detrimental effect in two parts: Lack of neutrality, polarized views and pre-existing misconceptions on the part of citizens as well as algorithms and formation of echo-chambers on the part of technology. Some questions arise in this scenario about the capability of citizen journalists, the duties they should adhere to along with the enjoyment of their rights and freedoms, the risks involved in an unchecked method of communication and the effect of citizen journalism in the democratic process.
ICT has traditionally been a hostile territory for women. In information societies, this implies a drastic reduction in opportunities and autonomy for women. In emergent economies, the situation is even worse due to women’s subordinate status in society and little research regarding the intersection between gender and the digital divide. Such is the case in Latin America. In light of this, the purpose of this essay is to introduce a first comprehensive review of the few studies made in Latin America, against the background of the history of women’s digital exclusion. Based on a review of literature, we identify the main causes for women’s digital exclusion in the region and talk about the prospects for development of gender policies in the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). We conclude that what this group of countries may achieve in regard to gender equality, will mark the future of the world. The aim of this essay is to make a call for the creation of inter - national research networks and propose the BRICS as host for these efforts, as they combine characteristics that will make them leaders of change in vast regions.