Decentering

The term decentering refers to the over all trend in new media today. With globalization due to world communication barriers being lifted by new media, distinctions between cultures is diminishing. The western hemisphere’s powers are reduced when the communications industries are decentered (Lister 10). No longer is all power in one company or industry. It becomes slowly more an individual’s power.

One of best examples of decentering that has been in the news since the beginning of the 21st century. Through the development of broadband capabilities, many people are downloading music and movies. The Recording Industry Association of America has mad ea campaign to stop this piracy through copyright laws. The courts are currently favoring the RIAA in their decisions. On April 27, 2005, 725 copyright infringement lawsuits against 725 illegal file sharers were issued. [1]

References Lister, Martin, Jon Dovey, Seth Giddings, Ian Grant and Kieran Kelly. New Media: a critical introduction. New York: Routledge, 2003.