“The public sphere is an arena where people can get together and freely discuss and identify shared problems and, through that discussion, produce solutions that influence elite actors” Dahlberg (2001).
In terms of analysing communicative spaces, interactive discussions can be hugely influential. Arguments can be developed for personal expression and promote citizen activity.
Impact of Twitter and Facebook and recent protests
The rock band, Rage Against the Machine won the most competitive battle in years for the Christmas number one in 2009. The bands single, Killing In The Name, sold 500,000 downloads beating X Factor winner Joe McElderry’s The Climb by 50,000 copies to clinch the top spot.
The success of the campaign followed a Facebook campaign designed to prevent Simon Cowell's ‘music machine’ dominating the number one position over the Christmas period. Quite frankly I believe audiences within the public sphere were fed up with Simon Cowell taking control over the UK music charts. Audiences involved with the interactive campaign wanted to take the power for themselves and in particular, over elite powers.
Today (March 2011) the Facebook group has over 860,000 members and has received support from celebrities including John Lydon, Lenny Henry and Bill Bailey.
Simon Cowell acknowledged the Facebook campaign and commented that it was dismissive of the public as it was directed at him (Guardian Dec 2009)
The campaign provides us with evidence of the power of the public sphere. Facebook users from all over the world shared a similar viewpoint and were determined to prevent Simon Cowell from shaping our music industry. Promoting the power of interactive citizen activity.
