Identity and New Media

Due to the relation between new media and society, this relationship contributes to the formation of identity as well as the constitution of expression among the new media’s consumers. Ganda (2014) in explaining this relationship state that, one of the potential consequences of society’s consumption and relationship to the new media is the formation of identity and their self-representation in order to participate on the technology of new media. Examples are given below for us to analyze of some users that created their identity (collective identity) through their blogs or sites that formed on certain aspects of their life that they are willing to share.

Figure 1: Webpage of Revolution Muslim’s blog

        

Credit: http://revolutionmuslim.blogspot.my/2010/11/islamism-when-words-lead-to-killing.html#comment-form

Revolution Muslim's blog is one of the blog that aim to update Islam analysis, news, and movement toward reviving the Khilafah and to restore Islam religion to the proper place in this world. This blog serves as yet another media outlet that counters the mainstream propaganda of the dominant society and helps to inspire Muslims to learn more about current issues to improve their understanding of Islam as the blog primarily addressed to. In relation to Giddens (1991) idea of the new media and identity, which shows that new media can be understood as an offering of the opportunity for people reflection and ongoing construction of themselves as having been stated in the objective of Revolution Muslim's blog. According to Giddens, in late modernity, the self is an ongoing project that we are constantly modifying and updating self-identity (1991, p.76). Take for example in relation to this religious group's blog which considered as an ongoing construction of their identity through of the reflection on their religion. This blog grouped all Muslims members together on a basis of share their identity as an Islam believer through their similar idea, knowledge, and encouragement that allows this group make their comment and share their idea, opinion or experience in this blog. In line with Giddens ideas which state that the new media confront us with global discourses which in turn force rethink who we are.

Whereas, to join this blog, Revolution Muslim provide the participation space on that blog so that people can join this groups and become their member. Hence, for those interested and want to become the member of this blog's group they just can click in the follower or joining section as has provided in this blog. Not only for the Muslim people as the primarily address to but others people around the world also can join and make their comment or express opinion so that Revolution Muslim's blog can become the eye and ear medium for any kinds of perspectives from different background of blog's guests.

Besides, in dealing with the dissent and disagreement in this blog, guests of Revolutionary Muslim's blog can express or share their idea and perspectives based on the each issue that has been updated on this blog. If people agree on that issue regards on Muslim matters revolutionary, so that, they can recommend that issues on the Google space as has been provided and stated by the blog's users. Therefore, that's how they can deal with the users and blog's guests. Through the discussion in this blog, people can share their opinion on the revolution Muslims religion to reach this blog goal.

Second analysis,

Figure 2: Webpage of All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)

    Credit:http://www.awam.org.my/

   Whereas, for the All Women's Action Society (AWAM), this site recognized as the feminist organization in Malaysia through The Joint Action Group (JAG). AWAM are non-profit organization established in 1985 which aiming to end the gender-based violence and emphasize on equality rights for all. It provides awareness on the gender issue in order to increase people support to achieve the visions. In relation to identity, these sites relate with the self-formation. According to Giddens (1991) "We are not what we are but we make of ourselves" (p.75). As example from the sites, AWAM could be a volunteer group that has a vision which emphasizes on the gender equality, through the support from members and volunteers indirectly help to evolve self-identity of the group. Besides that, it considered as the self-formation because in example AWAM doesn't have the specification on the members and volunteer, it is dynamic, as a different background of people joins this group, then they will create another identity.

In addition, this group or organization is focusing on anyone who is interested working towards justice and equality as mention before. People can join it through the email and contact numbers that have provided on the sites as the member and volunteers. For the members it doesn't have specification, men can also join. It has been stated that full membership with voting rights is open to women who reside in the Klang Valley, while men and those who reside elsewhere can apply to be associate members without voting rights. For the volunteer, it also has significant in order to ensure the events doing well.

Moreover, this association sites deals with dissent and disagreement from users and guest are by opportunity to give a comment or responds whether in positive or negative through the email and also contact form. In addition, AWAM also have conducted few program or activity such as Awam's Feminist Camp is Back, AWAM's White Ribbon Run is Back, White Ribbon Public Forum 2016, and Malaysia: Impian Wanita Hari Ini. In short, these advantages could have to deal with the disagreement as they can receive different opinion and also being encouraged to join such interesting awareness events.

Third analysis,

Figure 3: Webpage of Sarawak women for women society (SWWS)

Credit:http://sarswws.org/

The Sarawak women for women society are based on mistreatment that has been faced by the women especially women in Sarawak. The blog was specializing in gathering the awareness among the society about that treatment that women have been receiving. This blog will be updating any issue that relating to women and also issues about children that have being mistreated that has to happen in Sarawak and also in Malaysia. This blog not only for updating their idea of the awareness about women but also to share their activities that have been done in order to gain the awareness among societies. This blog was likely like an NGO blog because they not only updating the news about women and children but also updating and help those who are in need.

Women and children always being mistreated and they no place to and share their story and problem makes this blog want to create the awareness of this thing. As what Giddens (1991) argues that, people have a faith in the coherence of everyday life when we have to place absolute trust in our community and sustained by our ordinary interactions with others (pp.103). This blog as a platform for a women to communicate with them and share their stories and problem so that their problems can be solved or it can make their burden will decrease and also to make all the women know that there is place for them to get help not only in physical but also in helping in their mental help with providing a lot of type of help and communicating with them.  

Apart from that, this blog not only just inviting women to visit their blog but also a man, it is because suitable with their aim to collect awareness that has to happen to woman make this blog has not specialize visited for them. The reader or visited can contact them with the number phone that has being provided, they also have the social media like Facebook and email in order to make the visited or those who has any further question regarding their activities. There is also services that they have been served for those who are in need like drop-in center, keep safe kit for school children, public awareness program, one-stop crisis centre and also women crisis phone line. The services are done so that they can help those women and children in need with much easier and more effective.

Basically this blog do not have to receive any bad comment from the visited who has visit this blog, it is because this blog much more like helping those in needed and provided information to help regain awareness from society on women and children mistreated and even there is bad or unhealthy comment for what they have done, they just ignorant it because it was not helping their work and also not make their aim come true.

To conclude our analysis above, there is relationship between technology of new media and identity formation to the society that have consume new media in their life for some purpose or interest that they want to share with people. Identity in this analysis context is dynamic and fluid in accordance to Giddens belief which considered identity as something that ever changing and evolving. Through the new media allows people to confront their selves with the global context which force people to rethink who they are as in the blogs and sites analysis that have been stated above.

References

Giddens, A. (1991). Modernity and Self-Identity: Self and Society in the Late Modern Age.

       Standford, CA: Standford University Press.

Ganda, M. (2014). Social Media and Self: Influences on the Formation of Identity and

Understanding of Self through Social Networking Sites. Portland, Oregon: Portland State

       University.

Webpage of Revolution Muslim’s Blog. Retrieved from

http://revolutionmuslim.blogspot.my/2010/11/islamism-when-words-lead-to-killing.html#comment-form

Webpage of All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) Site. Retrieved from http://www.awam.org.my/

Webpage of Sarawak women for women society (SWWS) Blog. Retrieved from http://sarswws.org/