The wave of blogs, websites, virtual communities, podcasts, internet radio shows, webinars, Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace is providing the space for people and organizations of all shapes and sizes to express, promote, and distribute their ideas, opinions, products, and services across the globe. These new media venues and outlets have at once expanded all kinds of markets and effectively diminished the influence, presence, and ratings of the media conglomerates that have dominated the conversation for decades. The stronghold of traditional television, radio, and print media has been loosened by virtual communities and electronic communications that offer the information consumer a more diverse menu of ideas, perspectives, and prototypes. The ability for new media entities to provide data and news in a real time fashion every hour of every day pretty much trumps old school formats and renders the broadcast schedules of the traditional media companies as irrelevant and late. The availability of and accessibility to new and timely information that is up to the minute has been transforming for individuals and enterprises across sectors. Consumers are using their PDA’s and other wireless and electronic devices to facilitate their need for news and information quickly and accurately, to enhance their personal and professional daily routines. The proliferation of ideas and viewpoints reinforce the truth that creativity, insight, vision, innovation, and entrepreneurship are not confined to an ideology or group of people.

Although the new media revolution has exposed infinite opportunities for dialogue and sharing, it has also provided a snapshot of the risks associated with the information and technology age within which we live. One of the biggest challenges with social media is that young people have access to people, information, and networks that are set up to coerce our youth into behaviors and chats with adults who want to mislead or harm them. A separate reality is that new media platforms are being created by those whose agendas are not socially or morally redeeming, but in fact seek to tear down legitimate or dissenting ideas and choices. Some of the more virulent voices that have surfaced in cyberspace remind us of the intolerant, divisive and hateful strains that persist throughout our democracy. Another problem is that some are reporting news and events that are incomplete or simply unfounded, in their pursuits to keep up with the constantly changing news cycle. For some actors, due diligence and integrity are things of the past, as long as they can copy or repeat what someone else has already disseminated. We can surely manage these less than desirable realities of the new media age, as long as there is access to new and diverse voices that will likely propel us to think about issues and situations in new ways. Cyberspace evens the playing field and provides exposure for people and ideas that have been muted and shut out far too long.