Studying media is important for several reasons, especially today when we have the ability to look back and see how far ideas and technologies have come and where they are headed. As Annabelle Sreberny-Mohammadi suggests in her article, “Forms of Media as Ways of Knowing”, examining history and how media are utilized and changing in the past and in the present can help us see how far we have come. It allows us to appreciate the forms of media we have today and how it is being shaped and controlled as time goes on. And finally, it can provide us with the insight we need to further build upon our knowledge and technology to bring us into the future.
As Sreberny took us though the advances in media throughout history, we were able to see that each person built upon some form of media which was already available. Each new medium which was brought to our attention required some sort of advancement socially, such as when Sreberny said, “Print requires writers and readers. Electronic Media demand organized production and audiences (Sreberny 24).” Each time the people with power found a new way to bring information and forms of communication to the masses, it demanded some sort of response from society.
History also shows us how power has been shifted among certain individuals throughout the journey. At first, the power rested in the hands of the political figures and royals who decided who could use which mediums. For example, in Sreberny’s paper when she describes the advent of papyrus and how it literally means “The king’s (pharaoh’s) thing”, meaning that whoever was in power decided who could use papyrus as a form of communication (Sreberny 24). When this medium was brought to the people, readers and writers were born which in turn gave educated society slightly more power. The printing press brought more power to both the common people and the powerful people in charge. Books, magazines and newspapers were now available to the masses and this made it so more people were informed and the companies which released the information made a lot more money. As Sreberny pointed out, “Print gave more power to the states, which could now more easily inform their populaces of new laws, gather taxes, print stamps with royal faces and require written oaths of loyalty (Sreberny 34).” Radio and television gave media companies the power to choose what we hear and see and do not allow for feedback. By realizing how far we have come throughout the history of media, we can figure out where the power has come from and where it is going as well as figure out how to “get on board” with the technological advances and have a say in the changes which are occurring today.
Throughout history, the evolution of media has been marked by the building upon existing forms of communication and the social advancements that accompany them. As Sreberny highlights, each new medium introduced requires a corresponding advancement in society. For instance, the introduction of print media necessitated the presence of writers and readers. This not only expanded access to information but also empowered educated individuals within society.
The historical progression of media also reveals the shifting dynamics of power. Initially, political figures and royalty held the reins of control over who could utilize various mediums. An example of this can be seen in the case of papyrus, which was exclusively used by those in power. However, as these mediums became accessible to the masses, readers and writers emerged, granting educated society a degree of influence.
The printing press further disrupted power dynamics by democratizing access to information. Books, magazines, and newspapers became available to a wider audience, resulting in increased knowledge dissemination and greater financial gains for the companies involved. Additionally, the printing press empowered states by enabling them to inform their populaces of new laws, collect taxes, and establish symbols of loyalty.
The advent of radio and television further consolidated power in the hands of media companies. These mediums allowed for selective control over what the public hears and sees, limiting avenues for feedback and participation. By understanding the historical trajectory of media, we can discern where power has originated and where it is headed. This knowledge enables us to adapt to technological advancements and actively engage in shaping the changes occurring in media today.