Week 4(2) —Youtube is moving from right to left in the global media system framework. Why is it against the trend?

Generally, most media are shifting to the right (“volunteer contributors”) in the global media system framework. Youtube is against the trend which is shifting from the right to the left (“volunteer” to “paid staff”).

Firstly, it is a question between quantity and quality. Youtube, with more than one billion users, has enormous numbers of videos uploaded in an hour and has gained wide enough audience base. This means they have achieved the pursuit of “quantity”. This makes them to shift its focus to the quality of work. If Youtubers are competing with each others for views and likes, they might be more devoted in production. For example, perfecting their videos in terms of transitions, filming techniques and additional effects etc. This does not only benefits the Youtubers but ultimately do good for the name of Youtube(to be a platform with high quality works).

Secondly, Youtube is somehow demonstrating the undertaking of social responsibility by encouraging people, mostly younger generation, to “broadcast themselves”. The world has been promoting creative industry, encouraging people to turn their thoughts into actions. With economic incentives, users are stimulated to utilise their creativity to generate innovative content and make updated contribution to meet the everchanging interests of the general public. In Hong Kong, it is observed that more and more users are gaining loyal supporters by producing micromovies (like Bomba, fhproduction in Hong Kong). They are seen as successful becuase their frequent productions are using a movie framework with hilarious dialougue which stick to our daily life. It is clear that economic incentives stimulates creativity.

T11-Chan Sum In (3035282671)