Democracy in the digital age - Essay Example

Democracy in the Digital Age Democracy in the Digital Age Digital technologies and the internet are at the center of the information age. As a result, they end up playing a leading role in determining new perspectives to the issue of freedom of speech, and by extension democracy. According to Balkin (2004), the Digital Age does not fundamentally change what freedom of speech is; instead, it offers a new perspective to freedom of speech. This study will explore the ways in which digital technologies have impacted freedom of speech and thus democracy, with the guiding thesis being that the Digital Age provides both opportunities for increased freedom of speech and for limiting and controlling freedom of expression.

As Balkin (2004) argues, digital technologies increase opportunities for widespread cultural participation and social interaction at scales previously unimaginable. For instance, the internet allows individuals to access global audiences and sources of information with considerable ease and convenience. Almost anyone with access to the internet can publish a blog, interact with individuals from all corners of the earth and share experiences. According to Shane et al (2009), digital technology promotes democracy as a core individual and community need, with those able to access digital tools and skills acquiring social, economic and political advantage over those without.

Democracy arising from the advent of the Digital Age is further exemplified by the impact of the internet in development of informed communities driven by the values of openness, empowerment, inclusion, participation and the pursuit of truth. A stark reminder of the power of digital communication is in its recent role in organizing entire populations across North Africa in a series of coups against undemocratic governance (ICG 2011).However, the digital revolution has also created opportunities for increased limiting and control of cultural participation and interaction.

Balkin (2004) discusses how conflict arises due to the advent of the digital age. First, it has to be appreciated that the digital revolution is both an economic and a technological phenomenon. The same features that empower ordinary individuals including cheaper distribution of information and easy reproduction and transfer also attract commercial interests. Here, DVDs, compact discs and streaming forms of media are the perfect examples in terms of low cost production and distribution. The observed democratization by digital technology is thus in conflict with commercial interests as it leads to issues of intellectual property of digital content.

On one hand, the digital revolution promotes easy distribution while, on the other, it creates concerns about ownership and access. Digital technologies such as Restrictive License Agreements and use of Encryption and embedded tags have thus emerged to prevent unrestricted access to copyrighted film DVDs, cable television, online music, computer games, e-books, documents and other products (Electronic Frontier foundation, 2011). Here, we witness digital technologies limiting and controlling freedom of expression and thus democracy.

In conclusion, this study has explored two perspectives of the digital age that relate to democracy, establishing that it enhances freedom of expression, cultural interaction and information sharing on one hand as exemplified by blogging, internet-sharing and global reach of communication at the individual level. On the other hand, restrictions use digital technology such as Digital Rights Management. Hence, the view that democracy in the digital age is promoted and restricted at the same time is confirmed.

ReferencesBalkin, J. M. (2004). Digital speech and democratic culture: a theory of freedom of expression for the information society. NYU Law Review, 79(1), 1-55.Electronic Frontier Foundation (2011). Digital rights management (DRM). Retrieved 25 December 2011 from https://www.eff.org/issues/drmICG (2011). Popular protest in North Africa and the Middle East (I): Egypt victorious? Middle East/North Africa Report N°101. Retrieved 25 December 2011 from http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Shane, P. M. (2009).

Informing communities: Sustaining democracy in the digital age. The Aspen Institute, USA.