DeKALB | Every day, millions of people worldwide tune in to one place – and it’s not the TV.

YouTube is providing a way for everyday people to transmit original material across the nation, said David Gunkel, associate professor of communication.

“At one time, to make a video you needed a TV station and loads of money,” Gunkel said. “YouTube has created a way to distribute content. People can extensively provide the whole world with the videos that they create. People become their own broadcaster.”

Robert Brookey, associate professor of communication, said the appeal of YouTube has a lot to do with people wanting to be famous.

“The driving motivation is people wanting to be seen,” Brookey said. “People now have access to publish video images in [a] way they didn’t before. It’s a chance for some people to get the 15 minutes [of fame] they’ve always wanted.”

Students in associate professor of communication Laura Vazquez’s Introduction to Field Production (COMS 358) and Advanced Field Production (COMS 426) classes use YouTube as a way to show the videos they have created in the courses to their friends.

“It’s had a huge impact on students because when they’re producing they are wondering what will it look like and how can I get this to my friends,” Vazquez said. “There are no limitations.”

In addition to becoming famous and showing off self-made videos, YouTube’s popularity also lies with people who don’t upload videos, but watch them.

Senior communication major Jeff Perri admits to logging on to YouTube at least once a day because to him, it’s the fastest and easiest way to get news on the topics that interest him.

“Why would I wait a day where I can get it online as soon as it is posted,” he said. “You get stuff online so much faster and somewhat uncensored.”

“Let’s say that there is a press conference of some person running for office and they swear at the reporter. If I was not watching live, I would not be able to see it in its pure raw form on TV or in print. I would be able to see it online though – that is something TV and print cannot offer at this point in time.”

With a steep increase in the Internet’s popularity, other media outlets are trying to catch up.

“The media is all about getting people’s attention,” said Brookey. “If eyeballs are no longer in front of the TV then [the media] needs to be where the eyeballs are.”

To many, YouTube and sites like it are giving viewers a sense of power over their own media. TV networks now have to cater to their demands.

“It’s democratizing the media,” Vazquez said. “It’s no longer in the hands of high-powered professionals. I can get my message out with cheap editing software and a cheap digital camera.”