Last year, we set ambitious goals and witnessed significant global changes. This year, we're starting with a bold yet different perspective.
Instead of focusing on a single event, we will explore something broad and relevant to the past, present, and future—Media.
The Meaning of Media
Media is unavoidable, yet holds the power to create, alter and reinforce opinions.
Originating from the Latin word for medium, the term media refers to the various tools and methods used to store, communicate, and understand information (or content) from one person to another.
From ancient cave paintings to the instant connectivity of the modern-day era, media has always been a valuable cornerstone of human communication. Examples of media we see every day include:
Print (or Traditional) Media
Broadcast Media
Digital (or New) Media
Outdoor (or Traditional Advertising) Media
Interactive Media
No matter the shape or size it takes, media is inescapable and constantly evolving. From reading the news, watching a documentary, or even listening to a song, each type of media provides some form of information. Information which has the potential to be both factually true and falsely made up. Even in recent years, the media has played a significant role in deciding elections, driving social movements, and impacting conflicts.
2025 will probably be no different. Media constantly evolves, and there is no concrete way to predict what might happen. After all, everyone also has unique preferences for desired types of media.
For instance, someone may not enjoy reading a screen as much as they enjoy the satisfaction of turning the tangible pages of a published magazine. They might instead opt to listen to an immersive podcast or video with a different narrative or tone.
To emphasise this point, our monthly Hot Topics are digital blog posts published on our website! These are designed and written with the intent to spark meaningful discussions and inform readers about current events (both known and overlooked). They aim to encourage you, the audience, to form opinions based on the information provided. However, it is worth noting a somewhat anonymous author writes them, and they require access to the internet connection to view instantly on demand at any time of day, regardless of whether you are a learner, trainer, or a guest browsing the website.
The Scale (and Control) of Social Media
Speaking about what happens online,Social media has come a long way since the launch of a small website called Six Degrees in 1997. Inspired by a theory that suggested any two people on Earth are six or fewer social connections apart, this is widely considered the first social media platform that inspired the likes of many modern platforms seen today, such as Facebook (in 2004) and LinkedIn (in 2003).
Platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts have set a precedent for bite-sized, engaging content that informs, entertains, and captivates within seconds. But why does it sometimes feel overwhelming and exhausting? Why is Facebook no longer the central place of a virtual poke? Why is Instagram no longer about just pictures of food and selfies? Why is it harder and harder to catch a break?
According to a snapshot report by DataReportal, as of October 2024, there are an astonishing 5.2 billion social media accounts worldwide. To put this figure into perspective, the global population is estimated at 8.2 billion, meaning just over half of the world's population owns an account on some form of social media.
With 5.2 billion accounts vying for attention through every post, share, like, and comment, communication happens 24/7. The impact of this digital interaction can extend far beyond what occurs online. Here are five recent examples:
X, Elon Musk and DOGE
The Rise of Decentralised Social Media
Misinformation and AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Australia's Social Media Ban
Digital Deterioration and the Danger of Digital Authoritarianism
Discussion Points for Freedom Of Speech, Mutual Respect, Tolerance, Democracy and Rule of Law
What are your opinions on social media?
What are your predictions for the year ahead regarding social media?
Should governments enforce stricter regulations on social media platforms?
Can you name any lesser-known social media platforms?
Does social media make people more or less tolerant?
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