The fifth estate: Media and ethics

Abstract

This article deals with new and social media as a fifth power influencing the public sphere and public opinion. However, in order to understand the concept of ‘fifth power’ we need first to deconstruct and analyze the elements of the concept of ‘fourth power’ that has been connected to traditional media. The new and social media, as an open and free communication activity over the Internet, can be considered today as (an effective) mechanism to monitor and watch over the ‘fourth power’. It appears that the new and social media construct social reality utilizing techniques and a style that do not adhere to the format, rules and canon of traditional media. It also seems that those who possess a certain level of digital knowledge are capable of constructing reality through reproducing the dominant ideology in society – a function that was exclusive to traditional media in the past. The role of the new and social media as a ‘fifth power’ raises numerous problems connected to communication ethics. In this sense, what type of ethics should govern this new communication order? And is it possible to talk of a ‘fifth power’ devoid of any sort of communication ethics?