Research the Ian Tomlinson case. What would the traditional, hegemonic view of the police be in a case like this? How did new and digital media create a different story? What does the police officer's subsequent acquittal suggest about the power of new and digital media?
The traditional hegemonic view of the police in this case would be that they knew best at the time, as they were the peacekeepers and had power over the protest situation. However, the new evidence in the form of digital media challenged these hegemonic views and showed audiences how those with power are not always right. The acquittal of the police officer suggests the regain of power and hegemony to the people, it is a democratic view that allows the people to question those in power. It also shows that new and digital media arms society and those without a voice as a weapon in the war against unjust hegemony.
What does the author argue regarding whether hegemony is being challenged by Web 2.0?
The author argues that hegemony is being challenged by Web 2.0 in the sense that the ruling classes and institutions no longer have the power and control over the lower classes that they once had, this is hugely due to the fact that the internet has given the voiceless a platform to voice their opinions, therefore leveling the playing ground for voicing opinions.
In your opinion, does new and digital media reinforce dominant hegemonic views or give the audience a platform to challenge them?
I personally think that new and digital media actually challenges hegemonic views quite regularly as platforms such as social media gives everyone the chance to voice their opinions especially those without power. Furthermore, if you are someone with a lot of power you have no advantage over those that don't on the internet. Services such as WikiLeaks also work strongly to hold hegemonic powers to account by leaking to the masses the private and illegal workings of corrupt governments.
Do recent world events such as Brexit or Donald Trump's election in the US suggest dominant hegemonic ideologies are being challenged or reinforced? There are arguments for both sides here - explain your opinion and why.
It can be argued that the outcome of Brexit and the US election were both unexpected in the sense that Donald Trump voters and Leave voters were never considered to win by the populace. However through the use of social media, especially in the case of Donald Trump who campaigned vigorously through his Twitter account, it has given the underdog a greater voice, bypassing the barriers of popularity and power affecting vote turnouts. People had the idea to no longer be afraid of their own views and vote for what they believe was right, however shocking or unpopular.
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