Media Technologies

Media technologies have evolved in the past ten years. This day in age is called the digital age for a reason; technology has touched and changed the lives of young people, and the elderly.  In the report, How Technology Has Changed the Media, Rupert Murdoch said, “Everyday new technology is tearing down old ways of doing business, in the process it is driving us away from a mass media where news and entertainment was centrally controlled.”   Technology is forever changing, therefore if you want to stay current, it’s imperative that you adapt to the technological changes.  The technological evolution has impacted business practices, work practices, and work locations (Roebuck, 2006 p5). The information explosion and the paradigm shift it has created impacted where and how business is transacted and where and how individuals within organizations work, meet, and communicate to manage their job responsibilities (Roebuck, 2006 p5).

Social media technology has changed the way we communicate not only on a social level, but also globally.  Social media networks also allow people to communicate with colleagues, friends, and loved ones not only in the United States, but also in other countries.  Social media technologies include: facebook, myspace, twitter, bebo, and a host of other social networking sites.

E- Business, also known as e-commerce, involves doing business over the internet, and allows smaller, entrepreneurial businesses to compete with larger companies (Roebuck, 2006 p5).  Conducting business via E-Business enables companies to compete on a global level. Doing business online allows organizations to expand into new markets, operate around the clock, and boost their profits without making major investments or incurring extra overhead (Roebuck, 2006 p5).

Cell phones are one of the most frequently used media technologies.  Cell phone users not only use their phones to talk, but also to send and receive e-mails, pictures, text messages, browse the web, and perform a number of other functions. Cell phone technologies are being updated daily.

Instant messaging- Another communication mechanism that enables you to stay in touch in “real time” is instant messengers (IM) (Roebuck, 2006 p3).  Instant message is becoming a critical technology for corporations wanting to increase collaborative efforts and improve productivity (Roebuck, 2006 p3). Not only is instant messenger being used for business purposes, but it is also being used to communicate in social settings. 

References:

Roebuck, D. (2006) Improving Business Communication Skills: 4^th ed. Pearson Education, Upper Saddle, New Jersey