Three Challenges for Media Studies in the Age of Platforms
In the age of media platformization, it is crucial to realize the effect of digital changes on the
way information is perceived, delivered, and received by people and the community. There are three
challenges for media studies in this age of platforms, first, the question of media concentration on the
integral part played by mainstream companies, in the distribution of information. Second, the
regularization of media content, and lastly, a need to find and develop sustainable alternatives to
preserve information for people to access. With these terms of challenges, some rising questions need
to be addressed.
First, how can media studies help in assessing the media concentration of giant companies such
as Facebook and Alphabet and regulate the right information consistently and effectively? Sustainable
alternatives are needed to assess the regulation of information. However, in light of emerging issues,
media studies address the need for consistent and effective data regulation that is beyond the control of
systems and algorithms. This also means that data with socio-cultural and political importance need to
be preserved and understood to promote diversity. It also implies that media studies as a new field play
a crucial part in understanding the intricate ways of interdisciplinary approach. Secondly, how important
is the role of media studies in contributing to overcoming the challenges in media platformization?
Media studies require a variety and diverse combination of disciplines to address the challenges. In
relation to this, the role played by media studies highly affects how various disciplines should be applied
and used to overcome the stated issues. Furthermore, it is important to maximize the purpose of an
interdisciplinary approach, to help gain insight into the challenge of intervening in the platform
ecosystem to promote public values.
Media studies as a new field brings various scholarly disciplines together to create insights
powerful enough to bear solutions to existing issues and challenges in media. It also stands as a
foundation of scientific and scholarly means to further the perspective and research on information and
data gathering, political economy, business studies, computer science, law, and cultural studies.