Marxist perspective

• Study: continuation of power concentrated in the hands of a few, Cornford and Robins

  • DFC is presented as a new form of democratic communication which can lead to greater equality of new ideas & communication.
  • In reality, they are doubtful of these claims & argue that the people who own & control the media are capitalists who want to make profit and control the masses
• Bagdikian

  • profit and power comes from the media. The media shapes the ideas of the population.
• De-regulation of the media and DFC:

  • there are growing concerns about lack of social control over what happens as a result of DFC, virtually and in reality.
  • Marxists - the internet and DFC are another method of surveillance, a form of subtle observation as a way to control and regulate people
• DFC provides a new form of surveillance

  • private companies gather information on people's use of social media, as well as their consumer habits and breadcrumbs
• Cornford & Robins

  • DFC are simply a way of capitalism, controlling people more subtly through their use of social media.
  • This represents a challenge to people's privacy.
• Evaluation:

  • Marxists are pessimistic about the role of DFC, arguing that it offers a new and more sophisticated way to control and watch the working class.