Skip to main content

Blog Post #8: Gatekeeping

Gatekeeper of the mind - Up Your Level

The gatekeeping theory arose in 1943, originated by a German American social psychologist named Kurt Lewin. He developed this concept and it focuses on personal perception and how one should operate to better understand the world that they are living in. To do that Lewin would have to understand the mental, physical and social aspects of a person's life. By conversing with people frequently to acknowledge their desires, memories and goals. This concept was first utilized in the field of social psychology and basic psychology and later became a method in the field of communications. Which now in today’s time is a very essential theory because of the variety of mass publication technology. Gatekeeping is an important concept that can be used in communication studies as a foundational theory. 

There is good that comes from the gatekeeping theory, it's simply a method of mass communication from data decision makers who are at a high level. This can be people in the line of work as journalists, editors and newsroom workers. Who are people that control a social system of information flow that their audience sees. Based on personal preference, professional experience, social influences, or bias which is a function of gatekeeping. Aside from the good there is sadly a bad component that revolves around this aspect. For the people that want to broaden their knowledge on certain information, due to this barrier there are specific subjects being withheld. Which creates a different reality from one person to another because of the specifically chosen content that one is exposed to.

Society as a whole feels that we should not be limited to specific information as it can affect different cultures and locations. Different procedures and policies at times are being withheld from audiences in this society. Gatekeeping is something that everyone should know about, especially my friends and family. Often I have conversations with my parents about the the ecology of the media market and fake news as it is sometimes confused with real news. So that they can know the variety of different news sites and outlets that they can use to stay up to date on all that is happening in the world. Also to make sure not only my parents but even my friends understand that it is possible to be affected by gatekeeping and that they are responsible for their own consumption of secondary information.

Gatekeeping in the Wake of New Media. | by Dennis Lighare | Tunapanda  Institute | Medium

The bright side to all of this is that due to social platforms gatekeeping is starting to decline. With the use of internet media people are posting anything and everything. As long as a person does not restrict themselves to just watching the news on tv. Unique access to different information is out there and what's even better now in today’s time you can gain more insight on stories that haven't been broadcasted on the mainstream news. The best way to avoid gatekeeping is to do research and thankfully due to the society that we live in with the use of smartphones that can be done anywhere. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Blog #2: Protecting Our Privacy

Technology is something that I believe is safe to say, here to stay. Which is not a bad thing but when it comes to our privacy online everyone needs security. The true problem is that not everyone is aware of what is going on and it also seems that the people that know somewhat of the issue with privacy, hackers are getting more creative. It is great to be able to have a web source where you can search anything and there are all types of apps that can help you with something to make life easier. Another problem is the terms and conditions are not understandable and what we search on a web source and put our personal information into is not always private. Some of the issues discussed in the Ted Talk videos have affected me, and some have not. There are simply some apps that I don't trust because I feel my personal information is not going to be safe. The government should be putting stronger laws in place to protect our personal privacy. By joining us in protecting our data in how ...

Blog Post #7: Airbnb - Diffusion Theory

  Through the lens of the of the diffusion theory there is one tech company that is worth discussing and learning more about and that is Airbnb. A trust worthy app that is a tech distributor, connecting consumers in need of a  comfortable lodging environment to a place with accommodations.  The known name for Airbnb stands for  AirBed&Breakfast , founded by Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia. The company's first idea came into effect in 2007, with a year of perfecting the website it launched in 2008 becoming a major eye catcher in 2009. It takes some companies more than a half a decade to become successful but for Airbnb the founders had the right idea and worded very hard quickly to make the website known and successful. Airbnb is an app and website that you can find listings on and property owners can rent out their property to travelers.  Spreading at a rapid pace because you can find lodging that is unique and personable. In 2008 there was a Democratic National...