I read chapter 1 and 4 of Kevin Howley’s textbook Understanding Community Media. Chapter one covers theoretical issues, definitions, and provides perspectives on the power and importance of community media. It explains the need for media access and participation in a healthy democracy. Then it defines community media along with the similar concepts of radical and alternative media making a distinction between “Guerrilla” or “radical” media and community media (I should note here that Micheal Shamberg does not make a distinction). Chapter 4 analyzes the theory of community media in an internet-driven “age of access,” noting how community media is no longer the only option for people to participate in the media landscape, and how community media outlets must actively rally community to harness the democratic potential of new technologies.

Chapter 4, titled, “Collaborative Pipelines” is the most interesting of the two. The author, Otto Leopold Tremetzberger begins by pointing out that “Experience shows that technological potential alone does not lead to a democratization of information and knowledge; quite the contrary – completely in the interest of globalized markets, the “command/control” structure of technologies leads to increasing social homogenization” (53). As technology has advanced, commercial mass-media has co-opted the functions of alternative media. At one point, community media was the only way for regular people to participate in the media. Today with shows like American Idol, online comment sections, and news stations which use people’s cell phone footage (without paying them), it is much more common to participate in the media world. However, community media is far from dead. It is up to people to get to the forefront of new technologies and create the democratic potential for media production, rather then leave it to the telecom giants. Despite great challenges, and a cycle of co-option, the opportunities are still about for democratic media.

Howley, Kevin, ed. “Theoretical Issues and Perspectives.” Understanding Community Media. Los Angeles: Sage, 2011. pp. 15-21. Print.

Tremetzberger, Otto Leopold. “Collaborative Pipelines.” Understanding Community Media. Kevin Howley, ed. Los Angeles: Sage, 2011. pp. 53-61. Print.