Colonialism Continues to Evolve...

Üsküdar University held the 11th International Communication Days that hosted world-renowned academics. On the second day, the topic of "Digital Inequality and Data Colonialism" was discussed in every aspect with the participation of experts in the field. Moscow State University Prof. Elena Vartanova stated that "Social media is being added to the media classification as a new function." London School of Economics Professor Nick Couldry stated that "Historic colonialism is not over and has become more sophisticated. Colonialism continues to evolve..."State University of New York Prof. Ulises A. Mejias stated that "We are optimistic. We believe that the efforts can reverse data colonialism." Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University Prof. Tuğba Asrak Hasdemir stated that "Personal data is being analyzed. This data is used by both governments and companies."

The guest speakers., who made their presentations within the scope of Üsküdar University 11th International Communication Days, expressed their findings on "Digital Inequality and Data Colonialism".

On the second day of the symposium, in the session chaired by Üsküdar University Assoc. Prof. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan from, Moscow State University Prof. Elena Vartanova made her presentation online from Moscow.

There is no equality in the Internet access...

Prof. Elena Vartanova stated that digital media and technology contribute to the evolution of countries and society to a different dimension, and explained that there is poverty, inequality, lack of equal access to education among societies in the world, as well as lack of equality in access to the Internet, and that there are still regions where there is no access to the Internet.

Stating that traditional media is affected by digital change and transformation, and that changes have started in media terminology, Prof. Elena Vartanova also said that digital platforms offer a new infrastructure to traditional media.

With new media, advertising models have also changed and transformed

Prof. Elena Vartanova also noted that digital platforms form the core of new media systems, and explained that new media and advertising models have also changed and transformed, and many economic activities take place through these platforms.

Stating that new data is produced in the field of media, Prof. Elena Vartanova expressed that "There is a circulation of content in many different media channels. Podcasts, short videos and many content contribute to the formation of new data. Traditional media approaches cannot serve the needs of the age in the media industry. Social media is also being added to the media classification as a new function."

Contributing to the data economy

Noting that all these developments have brought new challenges to traditional media, Prof. Elena Vartanova also said that opinion leaders, bloggers and influencers fulfill their duties towards society by working in new media channels.

Stating that digital media offers a new social reality unlike traditional media, Prof. Elena Vartanova said that "Digital media offers a significant impact on the development of civilization. Viewers and those who use these media channels also contribute to the data economy."

Emphasizing the importance of media literacy, Prof. Elena Vartanova added that states should teach media literacy in schools and universities.

Joint presentation by Prof. Nick Couldry and Prof. Ulises A. Mejias

Prof. Nick Couldry from London School of Economics and Prof. Ulises A. Mejias from the State University of New York made a joint presentation. Prof. Ulises A. Mejias stated that the Internet now collects more data and expressed that "We are talking about the capture of data and the use of personal data. There are similarities and differences between historical colonialism and data colonialism. What is common to all these colonialisms is dispossession."

Noting that artificial intelligence seeks and collects data from all over human culture, Prof. Ulises A. Mejias stated that there is no productive artificial intelligence; however, the information produced in the world is used.

"Victims of traditional colonialism will pay an even greater price today because of data colonialism"

Prof. Ulises A. Mejias stated that "We can filter content on social media platforms and YouTube. There are some content that we or our children do not want to watch, and all humanity should not see them."

Stating that people's mental health can deteriorate due to cyberbullying, Prof. Ulises A. Mejias expressed that "Victims of traditional colonialism will pay even greater prices due to data colonialism today."

Pointing out the drawbacks of the system in digital media Prof. Ulises A. Mejias said that "We think that pushing data out of colonialism is a cultural and public project. We believe that if we can stand against data colonialism, we can establish justice. We are optimistic. We believe that the efforts can reverse data colonialism."

Prof. Nick Couldry: "Colonialism continues to evolve"

Prof. Nick Couldry, on the other hand, stated that artificial intelligence creates a knowledge region and obtains this information from the common productions of humanity, and said that "Historical colonialism has not ended and has become more sophisticated. Colonialism continues to evolve and there is data colonialism right now."

Stating that data colonialism is a collaborative initiative between states and large companies in the world, Prof. Nick Couldry also explained that states provide services such as smart health systems and smart borders with large companies.

Prof. Nick Couldry stated that large companies are constantly collecting data from the world, and even tractors are still reporting the data of the lands while working in the field and noted that human life has become a factor of the capitalist order with the collected data.

Prof. Tuğba Asrak Hasdemir: "Geography is important. I want to salute Palestine."

Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University Prof. Tuğba Asrak Hasdemir also stated in her presentation that "Geography is important. There is a war in our region. I want to salute Palestine. There have been different demonstrations around the world. There was also a demonstration in the central cities of Europe, in Amsterdam. We gathered there with the Palestinian flag and called for peace."

"A lot of data is collected, processed and used to influence decision-making processes"

Prof. Tuğba Asrak Hasdemir stated that the importance of data has been mentioned recently and made the following remarks:

"In the last century, societies have undergone a transformation, and especially with the use of digital technologies, we see that data is at the center of this transformation. A lot of data is collected, processed, and used to influence decision-making processes. This is used in different fields and sectors. It is especially used by policy makers, academics, community leaders and different people.

"There is a concern for personal privacy"

If we look at this process from a critical point of view, we can see different concerns. Especially, there is a concern for personal privacy because all the data is collected. Personal data is also being analyzed. This means a violation of people’s individual property rights. Data is used by both governments and corporations. That means mass surveillance."

 

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)