Power Shifts in the Network Society: The Rise of the Fifth Estate

William H. DuttonQuello Center, Michigan State University

Presentation for the Annual Symposium of the Melbourne Networked Society Institute, University of Melbourne, 11 November 2016.

Power Shifts & Computing, 1975

Social Shaping of Technology and its Implications

Internet and Democratic Power Shifts, 2005

Internet and Autocratic Power Shifts, 2015

Internet and Technocratic Power Shifts, 2016

The Internet’s Use in Reconfiguring Access to:

Alternative, Empirical Perspective: Enabling Networked Individuals

Oxford Internet Surveys (OxIS)• 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013• Cross-sectional Surveys versus Panels• Multi-Stage Probability Sample • England, Scotland & Wales • Respondents: 14 years and older• Face-to-face Interviews, High Response Rates• Sponsorship for 2013 from the Nominet Trust, Ofcom,

UK Research Councils, dot.rural• Component of World Internet Project (WIP)

Surveys to Focused Case Studies

Pattern of Findings

The Concept of a Fifth Estate Press since the 18th Century - the ‘Fourth Estate’

Internet in the 21st - enabling a Fifth Estate

Internet enabling a critical mass of individuals to source information and network in ways that enhance their communicative power vis-à-vis business, industry, government, politics & media.

Historical Pathways to a Fourth Estate

From Feudal Estates to the 21st Century Feudal Estates 21st Century Roles ofClergy Public Intellectuals

Nobility Business, Industry and Economic Elites, Internet Industrial Elites

Commons Government, Politicians & Regulators

Press Journalists and the Mass Media

Mob Mobs, but also Civil Society, Networked Individuals

Fifth Estate defined by being networked (beyond the home), producing content (writing blogs, posting text and photos), sourcing (following search), collaborating (following cues), trusting (content, providers), centrality (viewing net as essential for information).

Networked Individuals & InstitutionsArenas Networked

InstitutionsNetworked Individuals

Health & Medical Care E-Health, emailing safety alerts

Going to the Internet for info; networked physicians (Sermo)

Education Multimedia classrooms, MOOCs

Rate my teacher; Khan Academy, Informal learning

Governance Cyberdemocracy, e-Voting, e-Petitions

Anti-bribery websites; Arab Spring; 38 Degrees

News Online journalism Citizen journalists, bloggers, whistle-blowers, churnalism.org

Fifth Estate as Complement v Substitute

Strategies of Networked Individuals of a Fifth Estate

Martha Payne, 9 yr old girl writes blog for school project in Scotland: ‘NeverSeconds’

- Produced content: photos & reviews school lunch in 2012

- Distributed on her blog: neverseconds.blogspot.com/

- Censored by her institution (her primary school’s council)

-8,859,514 pages views

-Fostered debate over the quality of school lunches nationwide and worldwide

Strategies of Networked Individuals of a Fifth Estate

Accountability: Distributing, Leaking

Strategies of Networked Individuals of a Fifth Estate

Points of Summary and Conclusion

Power Shifts in the Network Society: The Rise of the Fifth Estate

William H. DuttonQuello Center, Michigan State University

Presentation for the Annual Symposium of the Melbourne Networked Society Institute, University of Melbourne, 11 November 2016.