Social Theory and Digital Media Practice - Book Report/Review Example

Summary Chapter 4 of the book puts a reflection on the hidden shapes of media. In the modern era, digital media has many hidden shapes that are not particularly observed by common people. The hidden shapes have created discriminations in the mind of viewers. The author of the book has tried to explain the effects of those hidden shapes. In chapter 5, the author has tried to link the media with the politics so to understand the fact that now media is something away from politics and social.Media practices distinctive shapes theory especially on Television.

Advertising is the tool used by the businesses to capture a wide market. The use of media is common for that purpose. Products and services are advertised in a way that it contains several qualities that are required by consumers. The media expresses the qualities of the product, but they do not exist in reality. The distinctive nature shows that media has become the business to advertize the products that do not possess benefits that should be presented by the media. Media has now moved to exercise the power and far away from reality.

Programs on Television are representing social factors, but they are opposite to the social theories. Talk shows represent that they are expressing the true picture of the civilized society. Upper-class people are invited to the talk shows to discuss the issues related to family. Example of a family show mentioned by the author could be helpful in understanding the distinctive nature of digital media (Couldry, 2013). Blogs and news on social websites reflect the characterization and other factors of politics that would be count as advertisement from the opposition.

This practice mostly seems in democracy. Justice and ethics factors for the people should properly follow by the media as highlighted by the author in chapter 5 of the book (Couldry, 2013).Social media have provided a platform to democratic politics in order to provide freedom of power to speak and communicate with others. Democracy has made it possible to freely express the views and perception on this type of platform. Freedom does not mean to communicate the views without the evidence and analysis.

Most of the institutions are not authorized to give information on media, but they practice this activity. There should be check and balance on these institutions that are not able to provide complete and reliable information about the political affairs. A critical question mentioned in the book will put forward a concept of political mobilization in societies, “Could these developments inspire political mobilization in multiple societies whose audiences all share the same basic tools for social networking?

” (Couldry, 2013). The challenges are faced by media that how to overcome the issues of communicating information without any proof. Democracy does not mean to make a false representation of the information without any evidence or proof (Couldry, 2013). Political and social information could be gathered through social media. The information influences most of the users. Invisible institutions use social media and try to influence the people. Media should have control over this issue because it contradicts with the specification of social practices.

The people should express true and fair view to persuading the users. In the 21st century, digital media plays an important role in cultural, political and social life of people. It is important for Media to face the challenges of the modern world and facilitate the users by providing them true and complete information with evidence (Couldry, 2013).ReferenceCouldry, N. (2013). Media, Society, World: Social Theory and Digital Media Practice. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.