MySpace

MySpace, MySpace, MySpace, where art thou My Space? If you can handle a keyboard and are logged onto the web, you can be sure that you know someone with a myspace page.

Lily Allen has one, most British successful comedians have one and The Artic Monkeys increased their fan base before they were signed, and so it’s clear that the media mogul Rupert Murdoch was onto a winner when he bought the rights to the popular site. But has Rupert's purchase been a good one? Viola Mullen investigates...

What is the deal with MySpace? Is it a forum for unsigned artists to exhibit their work to the masses? Or is it a social network for people to meet with similar interests?

MySpace has changed the way we listen and enjoy music and find out about new bands and that's great. It's a worthwhile change from just switching on the radio to hear the people that record companies deem worthwhile.

For once, we have the opportunity to decide for ourselves what we want to listen to instead of having to listen to the same artists all ready. If it wasn't for such a forum, we wouldn't have had Monkey fever from the Artics.

MySpace has literally given performers the space to have their work heard by more people that commercial radio would never allow. Music is changing despite the music execs wanting to keep it tune free. I must admit I'm slightly addicted.

But how strange that Murdoch was able to buy rights onto the site. MySpace is a prime example of how the internet and major advances in technology are doing us a favour in terms of freedom of expression - giving the public music without the interference of profit-driven record companies.

So isn't it wrong that Murdoch bought it to "tap into the UK music scene?"

People are so quick to dismiss the internet as being one big smut-fest, or complaining that it stops people from getting out in the fresh air and communicating face to face.

But with young people unable to do much without arousing suspicious anywhere, perhaps it’s the only space where young people can freely engage with different people?

It's unifying the nation and you can be sure that other sites like it will be cropping up on our screens in the future. This is when another big wig will decide to come and cash in on what we’ve created.

This article was produced by Viola Mullen,and edited by Annabel McLeod. It was published on the Reach for the Sky website.