Cell phones can capture video images and quickly be uploaded onto a myriad of sites. This technology has the capability to turn all citizens into reporters. An example is the recent hanging of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. According to CNN, one or perhaps two security guards recorded the execution on a cell phone. Within 24 hours the footage was available worldwide. Events that would not previously be available to the public are now freely distributed. Seemingly no one and no event is safe from the prying eyes of cell phones, camcorders and digital cameras. These, when uploaded, sometimes within minutes of an event taking place, are accessible worldwide. It is beyond the scope of this paper to address privacy concerns, which was not such a predominant issue prior to the rise of the Internet. Nonetheless, we must keep in mind that these trends may change the way we act in public, increase our cynicism towards traditional news and exponentially decrease our personal privacy.
The rise of blogs has also made it possible for anyone with Internet access to air grievances, give opinions and share information with others. According to Caslon Analytics, an Australian Internet research company, the Pew Internet and American Life Project states that as of July 2006, 12 million American adults have blogs. This represents approximately eight per cent of U.S. adult Internet users. In addition, 57 million American adults read blogs, which represents 39 per cent of U.S. adult Internet users. Apparently the percentage is low compared to South Korea, which has approximately a quarter of its online population writing blogs. Blogs are one of the latest communication devises that makes access to information, opinions, photos, video, music and current events almost instantaneous.
