JOY: Have the new media changed our lives for the better?

The amalgamation of traditional media such as films with the interactive power of computer and communications technology, new media has made a positive impact by allowing interaction from viewers and readers from all over the world. Unlike traditional media which only allows the dissemination of information, new media encourages participation from viewers and readers, such as by giving them a platform to air or act out their views. An example would be the free hugs campaign, a social movement, which started in Australia. Individuals showed their support for the campaign on their blogs, and a music video regarding it was posted up on Youtube by a band. Through such use of new media, many came to know about the movement and the campaign was thereafter carried out in Singapore as well by those who supported the campaign. Of course, this would also mean new media encourages viewer interaction on negative activities such as terrorist activities. However, that is only the minority, whereas majority of new media users do not use it in such a negative way. Therefore, new media has in such a way, changed our lives for the better.