Media Convergence, What is it?

We are a part of a society that is fast changing. Without stereotyping, today’s generation is doing away with the media forms of the past and becoming members of the “online generation”. This is known as media convergence. Essentially, media convergence is the shift from traditional legacy media, to modern media platforms that combine all media sources together.

The most recognisable and useful example of media convergence is the iPhone. Ultimately, modern phones but specifically iPhones, can practically do anything that you would ever need it to do. It replaces most of the traditional media platforms. Below is a list of legacy media types that used to only be found on separate devices:

  • Radio, Television, Camera, DVD, CD, Music, Landline, GPS, Books, etc

However, in today’s world, you can find all of these media forms and much more on the one device, the iPhone. This displays how media convergence is a huge part of our lives. Media convergence not only replaces some legacy media forms, but also makes accessing all of these things so much easier for the user. With an iPhone, everything is literally at the audience’s fingertips.

So, is media convergence a good thing? Well, to begin with, it is a highly efficient way of accessing several media sources in one place. A user can access news, weather, social media, alarms, videos, music and photos (just to name a few) on one small device. Therefore the switch in media convergence has the central aim of benefiting the audience. Another advantage of media convergence that was published on SlideShare by Wilkins, Williams, Padget and Hammond in Media Convergence is that it makes it “easier to connect with audiences”. While this is true, many argue that media convergence leads to the inability to communicate effectively outside of our phones. We become so used to relying on our phones for everything, that we do not realise the importance of face-to-face communication.

Growing up in a generation where media convergence is clearly evident, are all younger people converged? Well, no. Personally, I use both legacy and modern media platforms. While I do use my iPhone for the things previously mentioned, I also still listen to the radio on my way to Uni, I still watch the news and television programs in the evening and I still read books. Media convergence is a powerful force in today’s world, however, legacy media is not forgotten by all.

Until my next blog post,

Ruth

 

 

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One thought on “Media Convergence, What is it?”

  1. zoebolt says:
    Reply

    You have addressed media convergence in a way that is very relevant to todays society. The example of the iPhone is a very current and relevant reference, as smartphones demonstrate the forefront of media convergence in 2016. IPhones are capable of performing the functions of traditional media forms like print, television, internet, radio and news, allowing users to access them all from a single device. You also put forward and interesting question that if mobiles can do everything is there any need for the traditional forms? I too engage in both modern and legacy media platforms for example I like reading the weekend paper and listening to the radio in the but I also enjoy scrolling instagram on my iPhone. I certainly believe there is certainly a need for balance and moderation, between modern and traditional forms as well as the overarching importance of face-to-face communication.

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