Chapter 5: New Media and the Delusions of Freedom: From the Ethical to Political Economy Problem

“The public sphere as the democratic potential of media will sink when the rationality of the
bureaucracy or rationality of capital begins to take over and dominate the function, work
system and orientation of media production” (Robert Mc Chesney).
Many people easily assume digital technology revolution is an important instrument for
enhancing the democratic process. Some people also believe digital media platforms will
further strengthen the emergence of democratic participation and political freedom. But is it
true that the development of digital technology can be in line with the increasing quality of
democracy? In the context of developing countries such as Indonesia, this phenomenon is
interesting to study more deeply. This chapter intends to critically examine these optimistic
premises, as well as to show the big problems faced by democracy today. This chapter wants
to present a different assumption and a thesis that the euphoria of the presence of new media
hides a big problem. Whereas the aspect of political economy control which is supported by
the operation of the logic of capitalistic control which in many ways seriously threatens
democracy (Mosco, 2016, p. 516-535).