Contemporary Jurisprudence

Interview with the Author of Media Futurology

Principle of media jurisprudence/27

Translated by AI
Media, as a societal communication tool, holds an unparalleled position in the daily life of contemporary societies. Given its constructive role in shaping and directing public opinion, it can be utilized as a tool to optimize a society’s overall affairs across various domains, including cultural, political, social, and even economic spheres. In this regard, the science of communication, by entering this field, strives to transition media from its traditional past to the modern world and the emergence of new media, thereby effectively fulfilling its role. One of the tools that the science of communication can employ to complete this transformation and convergence is the authorship, compilation, and writing of new books, as well as presenting new findings in this area. With the presence of graduates in this field in our country, the promise of unveiling new books in this domain has come to fruition. One such book, written by capable authors, is titled Media Futurology, authored by media graduates Hadi Alborzi, a researcher at IRIB, and Ahmad Kouhi, a researcher in the field of media and communication. In this context, an interview was conducted with Hadi Alborzi, one of the book’s authors, which is presented below.

Introduction

Media, as a societal communication tool, holds an unparalleled position in the daily life of contemporary societies. Given its constructive role in shaping and directing public opinion, it can be utilized as a tool to optimize a society’s overall affairs across various domains, including cultural, political, social, and even economic spheres. In this regard, the science of communication, by entering this field, strives to transition media from its traditional past to the modern world and the emergence of new media, thereby effectively fulfilling its role. One of the tools that the science of communication can employ to complete this transformation and convergence is the authorship, compilation, and writing of new books, as well as presenting new findings in this area. With the presence of graduates in this field in our country, the promise of unveiling new books in this domain has come to fruition. One such book, written by capable authors, is titled Media Futurology, authored by media graduates Hadi Alborzi, a researcher at IRIB, and Ahmad Kouhi, a researcher in the field of media and communication. In this context, an interview was conducted with Hadi Alborzi, one of the book’s authors, which is presented below.

As a researcher and practitioner in the media field, how did you enter this domain, and what is your background in media and communication?

I hold a master’s degree in media management and am currently a PhD student in media management, working on my doctoral dissertation in this field at the University of Science and Research. Since 2010, I have been working as a researcher in the evaluation and research sections of IRIB, and in 2014, I was selected as IRIB’s outstanding researcher. My master’s thesis was titled “Futurology of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting’s Presence in the Internet Space.” I am particularly interested in the future of media, examining trends and drivers in cutting-edge technologies and media. The present book was written in line with this interest, exploring trends and drivers of the future of media in the context of our country. My co-author, Ahmad Kouhi Esfahani, is currently completing his PhD in futurology. He earned his master’s degree in media management from the University of Tehran, with a thesis titled “Examining the Relationship Between User-Generated Internet Content and the Use of Islamic Republic of Iran Television in Tehran.” His interest also lies in the future of technology and media. This shared interest in media futurology led him to pursue a PhD in futurology after completing his master’s degree.

What is the necessity of authoring a book on futurology, and what goal did you aim to achieve through its writing?

The need for futurology and understanding the future is of great importance in all fields. Moreover, in the information age, media has permeated every aspect of our lives, and the pace of creating new technologies is so rapid that individuals have not yet fully grasped one technology before encountering a new one. Therefore, it seems that in the field of media futurology, more work is needed to produce both theoretical and practical content. Media and futurology practitioners must undertake more serious scientific efforts in this area. I hope this book can assist those interested in identifying the future trajectory of media.

What topics do the content and chapters of the book cover?

The book consists of seven chapters. The first chapter, titled “Is the Future on Its Way?”, seeks to explain the science of futurology, its philosophy for moving toward the future, the reasons and methods for finding the right path in the future, and the functions of futurology. The second chapter, titled “The Future of Media, the Media of the Future,” explores the intersection of futurology and media studies, examining new media and their characteristics compared to traditional media. The third chapter, titled “Communication Theories in the Field of New Media,” introduces and examines communication theories that align well with the future. The fourth chapter focuses on the internet as an emerging phenomenon and its impact on other media. The fifth chapter, given the importance of upcoming trends in futurology, examines the trends facing media in Iran over the next ten years. The sixth chapter, dedicated to the future of media, addresses whether the future of media involves convergence or divergence, exploring various reasons in response to this question. The final chapter introduces sample research conducted on media futurology both within and outside the country.

What is the intersection between the future and media?

To answer this question, we must first address whether media is a part of the future, or the future is a part of media. Certainly, the future is far broader than media, but media is not a minor factor either. It is one of the key players shaping our tomorrow, influencing all economic, political, and social sectors. Just as media plays a role in the present, it will continue to do so in the future. Understanding the future without recognizing the role of media is impossible.

What research has been conducted on media futurology in the country?

In this book, several futurology studies conducted within and outside the country are introduced and discussed, including: “Futurology of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting’s Presence in the Internet Space,” “Examining Opportunities and Threats of Podcasting for Radio and Television in Iran,” and from international research, “Journalism After the Internet” and “Futurology of Google’s Position in the World Wide Web.” Certainly, there are other studies that could not be covered in this book due to space constraints.

Final Words?

I believe the most important topic in media today is convergence, which, while seemingly a technological issue, encompasses other areas such as industries, markets, styles, audiences, and the convergence between producers and consumers. Years ago, it was predicted that “audiences” or “users” would gain the power to produce and send messages, seeking media that could maximally meet their needs. Today, audiences are no longer mere observers of media content; they can quickly provide feedback on any content, produce content themselves, and influence its production.

Source: Fars.

Source: External Source