This paper briefly highlights the existence of a significant digital divide, which must be considered in all discussions of the impact of new media, and notes the limitations of the forms of new media themselves (the Internet, digital TV and advanced mobile phones) in influencing opinion. It goes on to note and account for the dominance of re-published old media in the new media space and questions whether new media journalism will prove a threat to old media. It goes on to examine how grass roots self-publishing and peer to peer email and text messaging could provide means not only for simple media production "broadcasting" but by harnessing the interactivity of the Internet. I conclude, "Old media power can indeed be challenged - not so much by new media as by people using the new digital technologies to broaden debate."
Length: 5000 words
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