Audience Engagement

Today with the power of the internet has there never been an easier and quicker way to be able to express your opinions, share your personalised videos, form entries and replies on blogs, from updating and uploading to YouTube to displaying your thoughts on facebook. We have the means, freedom and online communications to make our voices heard on topics we find important to us.

In light of the Paul Henry situation I have seen numerous groups pop up on my facebook newsfeed which people are joining: "Paul Henry, just saying what we're all thinking," "Get Paul Henry on 7 days," "Paul Henry start your own show" "Breakfast won't be the same without Paul Henry" and "What Kiwi wouldn't laugh at the name Dikshit (Support Paul Henry)." It became a hotly debated topic as the footage went viral and even got international coverage. This showed evidence of audience empowerment. New Zealand was completely abuzz and everyone had their own opinion on the matter, and they could share it with thousands of others. The outcry of offence by others and the subsequent announcement of the resignation of Paul Henry on the Breakfast show demonstrates the effect the public opinion has. The immense collectivity of an audience feeling strongly about an issue, displayed through the means of the internet, is a powerful tool.

Online communities produce user generated content where consumers became prosumers and do something with what is given to them e.g. textual poaching and reappropriation. Creators of television shows visit their show's forums where they read what fans have written and will acknowledge their discussions and fan fictions in the actual narrative e.g. Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon would regularly check on their official online forum called "The Bronze." He would would discuss subtexts fans have mentioned, such as future relationships with characters, and would hint at future plot points. There have also been times when a show was close to being cancelled picked up for more seasons as audiences get together to sign petitions to show their support to the show e.g. "Roswell" fans campaigned to the WB network when they feared the show was to be cancelled during the first season. Audiences will participate actively in shows e.g. "Lost" episodes were discussed in detail as its extremely complex storylines made it a topic which fans could actively engage in and discuss with like-minded people.

Active audience participation is something which I see as positive for everyone and anyone who wants to engage in certain topics, interests, news discussions, etc. it creates unity espeically on fan communities and an arena for freedom of speech, where you can be anonymous if you choose to be.