Meanings of the Expression „Internet as Fifth Estate”
Meanings of the Expression „Internet as Fifth Estate”

Summary/Abstract: We live in a world dominated by communicative technologies. Internet used daily is a habit for millions of people. Due to this large number of users the internet is described as the fifth power after the press and the classical state powers. But what kind of power is the internet? According to some scholars, the internet and web.2.0 are just another form of state or commercial surveillance for social safety or power maintenance or economic growth. For others, the internet is just a new form of the fourth estate- the press. The internet, especially the social media is seen as a tool for revolutions in authoritarian regimes and democratization. Nevertheless, the internet may be seen as a new form of technology of the self as seen by Michel Foucault and used by the political or economic power for different ends.

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