Power to the People

 

 

The rapid growth of what is known as the fifth estate or social media has spread like wild fire across a world hungry for revolution. This new medium has given the power back to the people, the ball is in our court so to speak, and we have the ability of voicing and sharing our thoughts with like-minded individuals from all over the world. This has given rise to the ability to do something about the things that affect us in our society, which were previously controlled by the select few who monitor what we are exposed to; such as media companies and journalists. In this arena we are the new journalists, we are on every street corner with a camera phone ready and waiting, we are only a tweet away from our right to the Freedom of Speech.

The long despised and disgusting tactics used by journalists to exploit peoples’ pain and suffering for a story and the chance to further their own career are being shunted to the back-burner and replaced by the layman with an opinion and an internet connection.

Cases of companies and businesses using social media as a means of cheap and direct advertising have seen an exponential growth over the past few years.

However companies are becoming more hesitant about using social media to interact with their customers because they are getting real feedback. Customers are being given the chance to say things they have never been able to voice or be taken seriously about before. Although there are the occasional irate individuals who are out to denigrate large companies or ‘the man’ most comments left by customers are sincere and highlight some of the gross miscarriages of conduct on behalf of these companies; such as the latest Target scandal in which parents have been complaining of the inappropriate nature of young girls clothing to an online campaign group called Collective Shout. This is a medium by which parents are able to voice their opinions in an arena open to public viewing.  

This is just one of many circumstances in which people have had the power to criticise decisions made by big companies and organisations that impact on their lives. ‘Getup’ is another great example of democracy in action, of an avenue that has come about due the advent of the internet and which has successfully fought for the rights and interests of Australians.

To this new adventure I say, what else have you got for us? Bring it on!

Here’s a link to the Getup website below, feel free to check it out. Support the campaigning of a local issue, to stop the development of Coal Seam Gas Mining near our water supplies.

http://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/coal-seam-gas/csg-ad-petition/dont-risk-coal-seam-gas