TikTok has transformed global communication by allowing its users to share media content, information and political opinions and views worldwide. Tiktok has become a main platform for users to express themselves, especially in regard to politics. A recent political dispute that was frequently discussed was Donald Trump attempting to ban TikTok for all American users. This controversy created conversations in regard to political power, freedom of speech, fake news, manipulation of algorithms and a range of other concerns.
This blog will discuss and critically analyse the attempt by Donald Trump to ban Tiktok in America by using global media theories such as Global Village, the Public Sphere, Algorithmic Culture, Participatory Culture and Fake News. With the use of these theories, the blog will explore how digital media platforms, like TikTok are becoming increasingly more important as it shapes political communication especially in this new day and age.
Global Village
The Global Village theory was created by Marshall McLuhan. The theory explains that modern media and communication technologies connect people worldwide, which makes it feel like one big “village”. Through social media platforms, like TikTok, users are able to share, react and communicate information and participate in global discussions despite how far away you are from another user (reference).
An example of TikTok demonstrating the Global Village theory is when President Donald Trump attempted to ban TikTok for all American users. This issue sparked global political discussions on TikTok, allowing users worldwide to express their opinions. As situations developed, users shared and interacted with audiences and spread information internationally across the platform.
This matters because it shows how media platforms, in this case TikTok, have transformed communication to make it a globally networked system where political discussion like this can spread immediately across worldwide audiences. Although, majority of users viewed the platform as a place to expression themselves, some people believed the ban was essential for protecting Americans and to ensure all foreign control was eliminated. This theory effectively explains how communication technologies allows users to be connected globally without it being limited by location of audiences. This allows political issues to be debated worldwide instead of being confined locally.
The Public Sphere
The Public Sphere theory was created by Jürgen Habermas. The theory explains that media and communication create spaces where people can discuss important social and political issues publicly. It focuses on how communication shapes public opinion, influences politics, allows audiences participate and creates public debate (reference).
TikTok, during Donald Trump’s ban attempt is a prime example of the Public Sphere theory and how it turned into a public space for influencers, creators, everyday users and even journalists to join in on conversations surrounding the potential ban attempt by the president. Conversations involved topics like freedom of speech, censorship and national security.
This example shows that digital media platforms like TikTok allow users to participate and contribute to important social and political conversations publicly. Critics believe this is how misinformation is spread and discussions can become toxic but the positive effects such as giving the audience a voice and encouraging diverse opinions ensures having that public space for users to debate is beneficial.
Fake News
Fake news is the false or misleading information that is presented as factual news. This news usually spread rapidly through social media platforms, such as TikTok. Noam Chomsky, a scholar who argues that the spread of fake news has the power to form public opinions and sway how audiences understand political and social issues (reference). Social media platforms tend to contribute to the spread of fake news despite the accuracy of the information.
Donald Trump’s attempt to ban TikTok created multiple examples of how fake news can be created as many rumours, false claims surrounding the timeline of the ban and just overall conflicting information in regard to the entire controversy were made. A lot of users were struggling to understand what information was correct compared to any of the fake news beings spread.
This matters because fake news can completely alter how some sees a political or social issue. With how rapid news spreads through social media platforms, it can create confusion for users consuming this news and effect how they see said political issue. There are many different perspectives surrounding fake news, many critics claim that platforms like TikTok contribute and enable the spread of fake news and propaganda. These users supported the ban attempted by the president.
Participatory Culture
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Algorithmic Culture
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