Convergence and Fragmentation: Media Technology and the Information Society

Convergence under pressure leads to fragmentation. Therefore, the role of the newest information and communication technologies and formats in a changing Europe must be analysed not only in terms of optimistic market projections but also in terms of realistic trends toward complementary fragmentations. The exclusion of majorities of the populations of most European countries from technologically advanced and expensive consumer devices means that we should take into account the shifting conflicts of inclusion and exclusion. Continuity and discontinuity in the development of media technology requires us to leave behind a number of traditional notions, methods and data used for national developments and international comparisons. The contradictory tendencies of convergence (implying a similarity and increasing unity of experience) and fragmentation (implying a growing differentiation of experience) are tied to general aspects of this development and to the question of whether we are really moving into a new European information society.