Overview

Introduction

Before digital media, the mediums of communication were television, newspapers, magazines, and the radio. These all still exist. However, since digital media has emanated into many forms that can be viewed, manipulated, and distributed, such as video games, social media, videos, and websites, it has become the main means of communication today. Digital media can easily be shared from a device and is a faster way to be seen by users than the old media forms.

With the usage of digital media increasing amongst users come new innovations, ethical challenges, and legal issues. Like the old media, innovations have to be protected, media ethics must be applied, and laws need to be implemented to regulate digital media. Similar old forms of media, the increasing usage of digital media has both positive and negative impacts.

Essential Questions

What ethical issues have developed because of digital media?
What are ways to safeguard creative works?
How has digital media impacted businesses?
What are the social impacts of digital media?

Key Terms

Copyright: A form of intellectual property that gives the originator the exclusive rights to their independently creative work.
Creative Commons License: Licensed software granted by the copyright holder that allows others to use, modify, and distribute.
Digital Media: Any form of media such as video, images, and audio that convey a message through the use of electronic devices.
Digital Piracy: Illegal downloading and distributing of copyrighted material without the permission of the owner.
Digital Rights Management (DRM): An online management system used to control the digital copying of copyrighted work.
Ethics: Moral principles that determine right from wrong.
Fair Use: The right to reproduce a small part of copyrighted work for educational or other not-for-profit purposes, without having to obtain permission or pay a royalty fee.
Intellectual Property: Creations of the mind or assets that are not tangible.
Plagiarism: Copying someone else’s work or ideas and claiming it as your own.
Public Domain: Content without intellectual property restrictions that can be used by the public.
Social Media: A social network platform that allows forms of electronic communication.
Trademark: An intellectual property consisting of a word, phrase, or image legally registered and used to identify a company or product.

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