Week1 Topic 2

A) How does Goebbels' view of radio link to a political ideology? Why does he identify certain kind of communication potential in the medium?

It is obvious from the start of Goebbel's speech that his main idea for the radio is to use it as a form of propaganda for the political ideas of his regime. He goes on about wanting to inform the people and bring the nation together, but the way he feels he can do this is via the radio, it was a tool for his ideology to reach the 'masses'. He seems to have a problem with others using the radio for entertainment purposes 'The radio is the most influential and important intermediary between a spiritual movement and the nation', showing that he feels he can reach everyone, he even talks about reaching out to the whole world, to let them know what german is all about. 

He talks about the French Revolution and how the press was the best way for political ideas and views to be put across, and then how the radio is what the press was in the 19th century. Again giving the idea for total political takeover of the radio. 

B) How might his views seem to people today? What is radio 'good for' in your opinion?

I think the people of today would not totally agree with Goebbel's ideas in relation to the radio. Yes it obviously does still play a major part in todays society, if it didn't it wouldn't exist, it has to have some purpose to still produced.

Today radio is used much more for entertainment than anything else, the majority of shows are chatty, informal and have some comedic value. Its not like Goebbel's wanted, its not all serious, its not all about politics. He also goes on about it being spiritual, I don't think people today would believe or take that idea seriously. 

However you can't argue with his idea of radio being informative to the masses and that it will reach everyone, because it does, the huge extent of radio audiences shows this. 

C) What kind of things have been said about the Internet and the impact it is having on society? from hyper and utopian dreaming to moral panic? 

There has been a lot of debate around the Internet and whether it is safe or not. The majority of arguments have been negative and discouraging of the use of the Internet, especially when it comes to children. Although there is a lot of censorship anyone can gain access to pornographic images or contact a stranger that could course a user harm, such as a pedophile or an online scammer, as-well as the violence they may come across in images and videos. To a lot of people these risks seem to high, and I think that you have to be very careful when using any Internet site and never give away certain details. It has also made illegal actions much easier for anyone to do, such as illegal music and film downloading. 

However the Internet can't be seen as all bad, it helps a lot of people in their everyday life. whether it be for educational purposes, informational in any away,purchasing goods that may otherwise not be available and for general recreation.