CMN 396 Unit I Exam With
Complete Solution
Habermas and the Classic "Public Sphere" - ANSWER Based on the idea of
saloon style socratic conversation
People come together to talk about public issues
This is where opinions are formed
Five Features of Classic Public Sphere - ANSWER 1. Reasoned discourse
-People have deliberate conversations
2. To find the common will
-with open participation
3. Rich, poor, etc can participate
4. Based on merits of ideas
-Best ideas (not loudest voices) get their way
5. Participants have access to info
Problems Facing the Classic Public Sphere: (Why the public sphere hasn't
happened) - ANSWER People don't engage in discourse
People lose their temper
Hard to agree on the common will
Can't agree on how to reach goal
,Requires open participation
Only a select few come together to talk
Doesn't reflect the population demographics
Who's loudest and/or most powerful wins
These people supply jobs/hold power and we want to please them
Not everyone has equal access or time to receive information
The Digital Public Sphere - ANSWER Techno Utopia
Techno Dystopia
Techno Utopia - ANSWER Costless communication at scale
Greater and easier flow of information
Expand opportunities for participation in politics
Enhance citizens influence over elites
With the internet, we have tons of info
Petitions can be signed online
You can even Tweet at the president
Techno Dystopia - ANSWER Uncivil interactions and hate speech
Echo chambers of thought and info
,Create momentary catharsis rather than sustained action
Economic interests detract from public interests
Susceptible to foreign influence
The idea that sharing hashtags doesn't help anyone
Platforms are about profit rather than giving good information (all about the
clicks)
Cohen and Fung's main argument - ANSWER The internet is good if we make
it and use it for good
What does a good digital public sphere offer? - ANSWER Rights
Freedom of expression and association
No censorship of opinions
Expression
Good and equal chance to express views publicly
Access
Good and equal chance to access reliable and instructive information
*instructive: understandable without specialized training
Diversity
Good and equal chance to hear wide range of views
, Free speech helps us know when we're right and wrong
Communicative Power
Good and equal chance to associate and explore public issues with others
Mass-Media Public Sphere vs. Digitally-Networked Public Sphere - ANSWER
One-to-one vs. many-to-many
Mass-media public sphere - ANSWER TV, radio, etc
Dominated by small number of for profit companies across media
Print, network, cable
Little interaction between journalists and audience
Reliance on official sources and professional training
Racially and socially homogeneous
Most moderation happens before coverage (avoidance of fake news)
Digitally-networked public sphere - ANSWER Wider range of perspectives
Wider range of choices
Individuals distribute content, while small group companies house and curate
it (watch this viral TikTok)
Targeted to and tailored by the individual
Complete Solution
Habermas and the Classic "Public Sphere" - ANSWER Based on the idea of
saloon style socratic conversation
People come together to talk about public issues
This is where opinions are formed
Five Features of Classic Public Sphere - ANSWER 1. Reasoned discourse
-People have deliberate conversations
2. To find the common will
-with open participation
3. Rich, poor, etc can participate
4. Based on merits of ideas
-Best ideas (not loudest voices) get their way
5. Participants have access to info
Problems Facing the Classic Public Sphere: (Why the public sphere hasn't
happened) - ANSWER People don't engage in discourse
People lose their temper
Hard to agree on the common will
Can't agree on how to reach goal
,Requires open participation
Only a select few come together to talk
Doesn't reflect the population demographics
Who's loudest and/or most powerful wins
These people supply jobs/hold power and we want to please them
Not everyone has equal access or time to receive information
The Digital Public Sphere - ANSWER Techno Utopia
Techno Dystopia
Techno Utopia - ANSWER Costless communication at scale
Greater and easier flow of information
Expand opportunities for participation in politics
Enhance citizens influence over elites
With the internet, we have tons of info
Petitions can be signed online
You can even Tweet at the president
Techno Dystopia - ANSWER Uncivil interactions and hate speech
Echo chambers of thought and info
,Create momentary catharsis rather than sustained action
Economic interests detract from public interests
Susceptible to foreign influence
The idea that sharing hashtags doesn't help anyone
Platforms are about profit rather than giving good information (all about the
clicks)
Cohen and Fung's main argument - ANSWER The internet is good if we make
it and use it for good
What does a good digital public sphere offer? - ANSWER Rights
Freedom of expression and association
No censorship of opinions
Expression
Good and equal chance to express views publicly
Access
Good and equal chance to access reliable and instructive information
*instructive: understandable without specialized training
Diversity
Good and equal chance to hear wide range of views
, Free speech helps us know when we're right and wrong
Communicative Power
Good and equal chance to associate and explore public issues with others
Mass-Media Public Sphere vs. Digitally-Networked Public Sphere - ANSWER
One-to-one vs. many-to-many
Mass-media public sphere - ANSWER TV, radio, etc
Dominated by small number of for profit companies across media
Print, network, cable
Little interaction between journalists and audience
Reliance on official sources and professional training
Racially and socially homogeneous
Most moderation happens before coverage (avoidance of fake news)
Digitally-networked public sphere - ANSWER Wider range of perspectives
Wider range of choices
Individuals distribute content, while small group companies house and curate
it (watch this viral TikTok)
Targeted to and tailored by the individual
