The document discusses how new technologies have influenced cultural industries and organizations. It notes that technological innovations are constantly changing society and industries. Theorists like Marx and Castells explored how technology and social structures interact and influence each other. A real example given is how digital technologies have changed journalism by impacting its delivery, sources, and economics. A new area of study proposed is how digital editing technology has changed the organizational structure of Hearst Magazines UK over time.

1. Student no: s13161812 Reflective Response to Reading – Week 8 MED4105
1 | P a g e
Gemma Harris
The author’s key point in this week’s reading is considering the ways new researchers can
research media and cultural industries or organisations; it is primarily media artefacts and
audiences that are investigated with theories. We should consider other factors behind
these such as the production processes and organisational structures that influence them. I
found this reading easier to understand as it’s aimed at students such as myself and so uses
suitable language.
An important concept is technological changes influencing cultural industries. “A culture
industry is one which has as its main function the production or distribution of art,
entertainment or information.” Technology is important to consider as it’s constantly
developing and changing society “Another key area in which the relationship between
theory and industry has been well investigated in our field is that of technology, especially
theories of new technology.” Karl Marx contributed theories related to culture “the social
structure of a society is reflected in its culture”. Structure is also important when
considering culture; it suggests a culture is due to the formation of elements involved
(Stokes, 2003, pp. 98-104).
New technology’s impact on culture industries within society is further investigated by other
theorists such as Manuel Castells; He said the combination of society and technology is “a
complex pattern of interaction.” implying that neither relies on each other but they cannot
exist without each other. He said “The information technology revolution half-consciously
diffused through the material culture of our societies” implying technology innovation
spreads widely perhaps even shaping the culture of current society. Therefore, possibly
shaping the structure of society (2010, pp. 5-6).

2. Student no: s13161812 Reflective Response to Reading – Week 8 MED4105
2 | P a g e
Gemma Harris
A real example of this is new technology changing the journalism industry. A member of the
BBC talked about changes within the organisation “digital technologies have changed not
only the delivery of news, but the sources for it, too.” “The revolution I am talking about
involves more than just economics.” This suggests technology is hugely impacting on many
factors within organisations and it should be investigated deeper (BBC – Media Centre,
2014).
A new investigation could be “How has technology innovation, of digital editing, changed
the structure of Hearst Magazines UK?” A suitable methodology would be archive research
and within that historical research in order to obtain structural documents to study the
change over time. This investigation is appropriate as it’s normally the production or
distribution processes primarily investigated due to technology changes and so structural
change of culture industries isn’t researched as much.
In conclusion, the knowledge I gained is what factors to consider, e.g. not just artefacts,
when investigating culture industries. I also learnt what methods are appropriate for
conducting different research.

3. Student no: s13161812 Reflective Response to Reading – Week 8 MED4105
3 | P a g e
Gemma Harris
Bibliography:
BBC - Media Centre. 2014. James Harding: Journalism Today. [online] Available at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/speeches/2014/james-harding-wt-stead.html
[Accessed: 20 Mar 2014].
Castells, M. 2010. The rise of the network society. 2nd ed. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Stokes, J. C. 2003. How to do media & cultural studies. London: SAGE.