Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Podcasting

I really enjoyed the comparison between the radio and a podcast. While the two are essentially the same thing, sound recordings transmitted to an audience, the podcast is set apart by the amount of control it gives the creator. Unlike with the radio, which is under the control of the network and its rules and regulations, the podcast is only subject to the will of the creator. However, I wonder whether there are any controls over what is said during a podcast or if there will ever be. So many mediums start off as free areas of expression but over time outside people demand control and regulation. Everything is free until one person sees a problem and spreads the message that controls need to be put in place. An example that I learned in another class would be advertising. When advertising first came about it was a free arena in which companies and individuals could sell their products. However, over time the industry because subject to laws, codes and jurisdictions that claimed to "protect the pubic", "save the children" and "promote American family values". Now the industry is a highly regulated industry and strict penalties are put in place for anyone who dares to disobey. In my opinion the industry has been stifled by some of these regulations and the shields put in place have hurt society as they try so hard to protect it. I wonder if over time podcasts will be found at fault and be overcome by outcries of regulation.

3 comments:

  1. Podcasts don't go out over the airwaves, so they're not subject to regulation in the way that radio is. They're free, so they're not subject to other kinds of regulation. It they involve advertising, though, that would be subject to certain limitations. And of course hosting sites are free to deny service.

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  2. by the way, please go over this post for typos

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  3. It's certainly advantageous to a user to be able to stop listening to one thing and choose another. The ability to have more control of content by using podcasts is key.

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