Dissemination of Digital Information
The expansion of digital technologies has increased tremendously and this has made the amount of information created electronically to intensify rapidly. According to Quisbert Korenkova, and Hägerfors (2009), for legal, historical, and democratic reasons, digital information is a critical component that has to be available for the present and future society. Moreover, for many organizations, digital information is viewed as an element that supports decision making or even facts that managers can use as a starting point for different processes. This means that having digital information is important socially, educationally, economically, and globally. In some ways, digital information is influencing all aspect of the modern people of which the digital content has become a meaningful part of work and social activities. The purpose of this study is to examine the dissemination of digital information in the modern communities. The first section of this research presents the relationship between digital information and media organizations. In second part, this paper identifies the method that media companies use to disseminate digital information. Final, the study explores the standard principles used in the distribution of digital information.
Digital Information in Communication and Media
Cummings and O’Neil (2015) point out that digital and communication technology refers to the aspect of communication by the use data or information that is accessed through technological devices such as computers. Currently, digital information has helped the media to advance in several ways, mostly in the production of communication content, manipulation, and dissemination of images. Kaul (2013) asserts that the revolution of digital information has transformed the practice of journalism as well as the visual content produced by media organizations. In other words, the expansion of digital technologies has allowed the media and communication sector to improve its functioning by permeating the society new formats and possibilities of media content and communication.
Due to the creation of digital information, many people view the environment of the modern media and communication unit as the digital information age. Fromm (2014) argues that digital information is the data that is arranged in an intelligible order for many purposes. In the media industry, journalists collect the digital information and analyze the information in a way that people can use it to know what is happening within their surroundings. Furthermore, for many media companies, to produce news is an expensive task, while gathering facts and cultivating sources requires more time, effort, and qualified workforce (Fromm, 2014). However, with digital information, journalists focus on virtual publishing, gathering information, and writing it up to complete a content for the production of news. In this context, it is arguably evident that digital data makes the process of making news inexpensive, as media enterprises do not hire people to gather information for production, but focus on accessing the stored data to come up with content that people can access often and efficient.
The availability of digital information is also presenting journalists with new opportunities, as most of the information is drifting away from the government to the hands of the media (Herbert, 2015). This has been the case because of the use of digital devices such as word processing and the Internet to search information utilized in the newsroom. For example, if a media house is focusing on writing about the administration budget, the journalist can access data from the government database by the use of a computer and Internet (Herbert, 2015). This means that digital materials available for media and communication industry are easily found, which gives journalists an opportunity to gather and obtain valuable information and data that will give them exactly what they need to create and present news content. Therefore, it is evident that digital information has made journalist becomes more creative and report news that is based on verified information concerning specific issues happening daily.
Information Dissemination
In the old days, the content of different media companies was circulated solely through the newspaper or through the word of mouth (Singer et al., 2011). However, in the present time, this has changed dramatically as people are living in a digital era. In the aspect of disseminating digital information, the technology plays an important role of flourishing the work of the person circulating the information to other people. Equally, the public as the key recipient of the digital information has a powerful role when it comes to the task disseminating digital information. As such, for people to receive digital content, they should be connected to specific platforms that media organizations apply to transfer the digital information (Singer et al., 2011). Thus, it can be said that technology has been an essential element that media organization are using to disseminate information more widely, especially the information that have been ascertained from technological sources.
Method used to Disseminate Digital Information
The most used method to transmit digital information is broadcast encryption technique. Media companies employ this method to spread digital information such as multimedia, software, and TV programs (Gavrilova, 2006). This technique is efficient because only qualified users get the chance to access the content or people who have subscribed for certain information that is aired by specific media companies. The advantage of this method is that the receiver of the information can decode the disseminated information using a secret key (Gavrilova, 2006). This means that broadcast encryption provides the users with security measures in which the user can renew the security key time to time for more information created by media companies. For media organizations, using broadcast encryption to distribute digital information is essential as the method allows the company to work in a secure manner because no individual can access the digital content without the permission from the company (Elkamchouchi & Abouelseoud, 2007). Besides, using broadcast encryption to transmit digital materials allow people store personalized information in the platform, whereby they can access the data conveniently. With this understanding, it can be maintained that using broadcast encryption can importantly promote the accessibility of digital information and give people an opportunity to access the transmitted information within a particular running time in an efficient manner.
The other method that most media enterprises use to transfer digital information involves connecting a server to a computer device (Acton, 2013). In this scheme, the server communicates with the computer device to encrypt the digital information with a coding decryption (Acton, 2013). When the two devices are connected, a patch is used to update the parameters of the computing device, which will determine the functionality of the instrument used to access the digital content. Essentially, since a computer is a memory device with optical storage characteristics, individuals accessing the broadcasted information can use the device to record the transmitted information, which will be viewed in future or at any time in the present. Additionally, a computer system that makes use of hardware, software, database, and telecommunication can be a good device to disseminate digital information (Baldauf & Stair, 2010). Evidently, many computers have the mentioned features, and it becomes easier for people receiving digital information to connect the server to the computer that helps in the management of the digital information in a secure and authorized manner.
Rules and Policies for Disseminating Digital Information
Digital content has become an integral factor that is shaping the economic and social development. Therefore, appropriate policies set to regulate the digital content distribution plays a significant role in the growth and welfare of the information spread by media firms. In a study done by Armas, Morales, and Bayona (2016), it is quoted that the rules and policies of information dissemination guide the people distributing the information and makes the people within the digital media companies work ethically.
The policies that guide digital information were established with the aim of protecting digital data against piracy and replication. One of the most prominent programs set by most of the media companies to protect the digital information is a program called trace traitors (Gabrys, Howlett, & Jain, 2006). This program is a basic method that media companies use to trace people trying to copy the information and distribute the digital information illegally. In this program to be efficient, each user accessing digital data is given a decoder that will decrypt the encoded information into original information (Gavrilova, 2006). Through the trace traitor program, media organizations recognize a privileged user and an illegal user, because people who do not have the right to distribute the digital information may cause many problems to individuals with the right to disseminate digital information. In addition, for the media organizations to promote security in relation to the dissemination of digital information, the business people who want to distribute digital content are required to comply with the media organizational policies by getting systems that will verify their eligibility to distribute the information (Gavrilova, 2006). This is essential to the media organization; because through the verification policy, the company can control and promote activities that are not legal or people who want to disseminate the digital information illegally.
The governments in OECD countries have a role to play when it comes to the implementation of policies and rules that will regulate the dissemination digital content (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2008). Some of the policies fostering the business and regulatory climate for digital information companies include the policy to improve information and the quality of the content that media companies are giving to the users. For example, in OECD states, media companies involved with the circulation of digital information are required to use efficient tools that will help them broadcast the digital content in an efficacy manner (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2008). The policies on quality also require media businesses to give the users an opportunity to access accurate information at reasonable charges. In the case of payment for digital content, the authority in most of the nations in the OECD countries requires the media firms to include things such as micro-payment, electronic signatures, and certification, as these factors will limit the cases of piracy as a threat to the digital content users.
The number of OECD countries that has established digital content policies has increased. The aim of the policies that have been set in these countries is to ensure that the public does not reuse digital information distributed commercially by major media organizations. Moreover, in some countries such as Canada and New Zealand has initiated policies and legal programs that are meant to promote and preserve the cultural beliefs through digital content (OCED, 2008). In 2007, New Zealand launched digital standards that will support content creation and its public dissemination. In Canada, the government with the assistance from the New Media Fund had implemented principles that will make the Canadian interactive media industry promote the dissemination of digital information and content to the society (OCED, 2008). For this to be achieved the Canadian government had to provide the media industry with findings so that they can create digital content that reflects the values of the local people. Finally, in Europe, the European Union has introduced principles such as a policy separating different form of media content in order to safeguard the circulation of digital content (Park, 2007). The policy was set to make the public to access the information in a safer manner and to ensure that the content reach to the right people with the right for information access. In this case, it can be argued that the EU is focusing on building policy objective, where only the people with the right to access the digital information receives the content in a secured manner under any circumstance.
Conclusion
In essence, this paper shows that there is a full range of methods that digital companies can employ to disseminate information. Importantly, this discussion demonstrates that it is important for the media organizations and policymakers to work collaboratively so that they can make the process of disseminating digital information successfully. Therefore, it is apparent that distribution of digital information depends on good planning and systematic management decisions. Media companies should know that the needs of the audiences or the client receiving the information determine the format and medium used to transmit the information. This is important because media businesses can use the client demand to decide the appropriate dissemination technique. On the cases of preserving the digital information, having the necessary policies for information distribution purpose will be the ultimate solution. The digital content policies are set with the goal of promoting the media industry and securing the platform for access. Lastly, to make the digital information policy effective, the focus need to be on eradicating piracy, as this is one of the factors that is jeopardizing the media businesses when it come to the aspect of distributing digital information.
Annotated Bibliography
Acton, A., (2013). Advances in information technology research and application. Atlanta, Georgia: Scholarly Edition.
The text describes the method that media companies use to distribute information. The book is relevant to this study, as it shows how the connection between computer and server can be used as a technique to disseminate digital information. The book is remarkable for this review, as it is noted that this method can control the technologies, which is a better way of minimizing copying of digital content.
Armas, N., Morales, V., & Bayona, S. (2016). Rules and policies for dissemination of digital public information in municipalities. In eDemocracy & eGovernment (ICEDEG), 2016 Third International Conference. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. 54-59. doi: 10.1109/ICEDEG.2016.7461696
This article outlines the rules and policies that have been set by different media organization for the dissemination of digital information. From the article, the policies for disseminating digital content technical standards and processes that guide media organization when transmitting information to their users. This article is selected for this research because it is necessary for one to understand and define guidelines and policies for information access.
Baldauf, K. J., & Stair, R. M. (2010). Succeeding with technology: Computer concepts for your life. Boston, MA: Course Technology/Cengage Learning.
The authors of this book mention that technology in the media has become a current trend that is influencing the way media organizations are disseminating digital information. The content of this book is vital to the reader as it can prepare one succeed in his or her career.
Cummings, C., & O’Neil, T. (2015). Do digital information and communications technologies increase the voice and influence of women and girls? A rapid review of the evidence. London: Overseas Development Institute.
This review claim that technology has become the mirror of the society and it is a valuable resource for the society. The text plays a role in the development of this research, as it displays that digital information is increasing the voice of some people within the society.
Fromm, M. (2014). Gathering and sharing digital information. New York: Rosen Publishing.
The book transcripts about the contribution of digital information to the process of gathering information and how digital content is assisting journalist to carry out their tasks. It is significant to use this text in this book because it depicts the way blog sites with mega producing content transmit digital information to different people in the society.
Gavrilova, M. L. (2006). Computational science and its applications: ICCSA 2006: international conference, Glaskow, UK, May 8-11, 2006: proceedings. Berlin; New York: Springer.
The text introduces broadcast encryption as an important method that media people can employ to transfer digital content to their client. The reason that made the text to be used for this research is that it presents one of the most prominent methods used to generate and distribute digital content in the modern days.
Gabrys, B., Howlett, R. J., & Jain, L. C. (2006). Knowledge-based intelligent information and engineering systems: 10th international conference, KES 2006, Bournemouth, UK, October 9-11, 2006: Proceedings. Berlin: Springer.
This is a vital text for this study, as it highlights some of the most relevant programs that media organizations use to prevent piracy and copying of information. However, for this discussion, the book is used for the analyses of traitor tracing, which is a major program that media people use to prevent piracy and loss of information illegally. The text is utilized in this investigation because it explains programs that are safety attached concerning digital information.
Herbert, J. (2015). Journalism in the digital age: Theory and practice for broadcast, print and online media. London: CRC Press.
The book is about digital-age journalism. In the context, of the book, the author proclaims that the digital age has changed the media industry; the use of technology has led to the change in the transmission of information. The book is chosen for this paper because it entails information on how computers and other technological devices allow journalist to find facts from digital information in various ways.
Kaul, V. (2013). Journalism in the age of digital technology. Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 3(1), 125-143.
Kaul state that the introduction of technology in the media organizations has changed the work of journalist and media people considerably. From the article, it is learned that technology is changing the way people obtain information. Kaul work is necessary for this research, as one can note that researcher explores intersection between the new media and technology, as well as the way technology is influencing the media.
Park, S. (2007). Strategies and policies in digital convergence. Hershey: Idea Group Reference.
Park talks about the common European Union principles in relation to the preservation of digital information. As the book presents different policies relating to dissemination of digital content, the author argues that each principle that the EU use is aimed to ensure that the distribution of digital content is done in a safer manner. The book is helpful for this paper, as it displays the fundamental activity of the EU in the process of disseminating digital information.
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, (2008). OECD policy guidance for digital content. Retrieved from: https://www.oecd.org/sti/ieconomy/40895797.pdf.
This is a report on the policy guidance for digital information. The OECD presents the report, and it shows essential findings regarding the policies used by the OECD countries to make digital content. This report is included in this research because it indicates different policies that are used by countries such as U.S., Canada, Netherlands, and Turkey to preserve digital content.
O.E.C.D, (2008). Information Technology Outlook 2008. Paris: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
This presentation by the OECD illustrates potential problems that relate to the distribution of digital content. The book is taken as part of this research because it presents the effort done by each of OECD members to promote the dissemination of digital materials.
Quisbert H., Korenkova M., & Hägerfors A. (2009) Towards a Definition of Digital Information Preservation Object. In: Sicilia MA, Lytras M.D. (eds) Metadata and Semantics. Boston, MA: Springer.
The book discusses that information is an object that needs long-term preservation. In the text, it is written that information livelonger than the organization, and it should be preserved for the well-being of the future. The book is needed for this study as it introduces tentative introduction about the concept of digital information and its preservation.
Singer, J. B., Domingo, D., Heinonen, A., Hermida, A., Paulussen, S., Quandt, T., … Vujnovic, M. (2011). Participatory journalism: Guarding open gates at online newspapers. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
The book expresses the changes that digital news is bringing to the society and journalist working in the digital age. Furthermore, the text transcribes that digital information has brought openness to users of the digital information. The book is used for this study because of it the facts that it shows concerning how journalist are obtaining original data throughout due to an aspect of digital content.
