Media & Globalization

Globalization and Media

• practically no globalization without media & communications (Terhi
Rantanen, 2004).
• The electronic media & communication sector, which ranges from
telecommunication networks & the Internet, through to radio, television &
film, is itself among the most active in the current drive for the
globalization of production, markets & trade.
• process has been facilitated by a world-wide trend toward deregulation and
privatization of the mass media.
• Globalization – the growing integration of economies & societies around the
world – has been one of the most hotly-debated topics in international
economics over the past few years.
• Information dissemination – fast (e.g. news for Steve Jobs dead)
 Globalization and Media
• The social consequences of the globalization of the sector itself are
comparable to those of many other sectors, & include the restructuring of
employment relations & conditions, & international competition for
footloose capital based on cheaper labor.
• The media & communication industries are a leading sector in facilitating
overall globalization.
• For instance, the social consequences of facilitating the emergence of
globalize financial transactions (e-commerce) & manufacturing industries
open markets for “lifestyle” products (Valentine Day, Mothers Day, etc.),
popular culture (k-pop culture), which includes fast food (KFC, McDonald,
etc.) and cosmetics (SK-II, ), are a result of the growth of these sectors
(softening up cultures for consumerism).
 Globalization and Media
• The term globalization is linked to a variety of different perspectives and ideas about
what globalization is and how it affects people and communities around the world.
1. Encyclopedia Britannica says that globalization is the "process by which the experience of
everyday life ... is becoming standardized around the world."
2. globalization stress convergence of patterns of production and consumption and a
resulting homogenization of culture.
3. globalization has the potential to take many diverse forms.
4. Globalization (or Globalisation) refers to increasing global connectivity, integration and
interdependence in the economic, social, technological, cultural, political, and
ecological spheres. Globalization is an umbrella term and is perhaps best understood as a
unitary process inclusive of many sub-processes (such as enhanced economic
interdependence, increased cultural influence, rapid advances of information technology,
and novel governance and geopolitical challenges) that are increasingly binding people
and the biosphere more tightly into one global system (*From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia)
 Globalization and Media
• special characteristic of the globalization of the media & communication
sector is as a powerful agent in the transformation of social, cultural &
political structures.
• impact of the gradual commercialization of media & communications on
critical social functions, such as the formation of individual & community
identity, cultural & language diversity, the capacity to participate in the
political process & the integrity of the public sphere, the availability of
information & knowledge in the public domain, & the use of media for
development, educational & human rights purposes.
 Globalization and Media
• vital functions - respects democracy, human rights & economic, social &
cultural needs.
• Free flow of information also cause Media Imperialism (confusing the whole
world concerning real fact)
• “Global Village” concept by McLuhan (1964) & Meyrowitz (1985) – existent
ICT has dense space & time enable societies around the globe living in
borderless world.
• United Nations itself has encouraged member countries to invest in digital
technology as a way to achieve its millennium development goals (MDG).
• The uneven development of ICT (digital divide) indicates that the benefits
of new technology will be felt by the only few innovative adopters at the
expense of a larger group of laggards.
SOCIAL CHANGE

• Transformation of traditional society into a modern society.

• Changing of attitudes and norms
• Adoption of innovation
• Urbanization
• Better income
3 Questions
1.What is the role of social media in social/political change?
2.If social media is so important, why should not governments
simply cut it in times of crisis?
3.What happens if you cut communications?

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CURRENT ISSUES

.
Internet Usage
• as “social” technology
• as a capital-enhancing activity.
• as an ‘online shopping mall’
• as recreational outlets

• “Social change” – what the Internet can offer that mass media
could not?

• “Internet Literacy” - to effectively find, use, summarize, evaluate,

create, and communicate information while using digital
technologies
“Globalization" Characteristic:

• People around the globe are more connected to each other than ever
before. Information & money flow more quickly than ever.
• Goods & services produced in one part of the world are increasingly
available in all parts of the world. International travel is more frequent.
• International communication is commonplace.
• Among factor which contributes to global communication development is
international news exposure by printed & electronics media. Printed media
agencies like Associated Press, Reuter, and Agence France Press while
electronic visual media likes Reuters and World Television Network (WTN)
were among international media firm which play main roles in these
process.
Questions
• Do we need to regulate media at all?
• Four of the main international organizations involved in
regulating and governing the media at the global level are:
1.International Telecommunication Union (ITU);
2.United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO);
3.Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
(ICANN); &
4.World Trade Organization (WTO) stand out.
Transformation of Traditional Society
Into A Modern Society
Social Change:
• Changing of attitudes and norms
• Adoption of innovation
• Urbanization
• Better income

Communication & Change:

• Top-down Strategy
• Mass Media As ‘Magic Multiplier’
Transformation of Traditional Society
Into A Modern Society
Rethinking of the Dominant Paradigm”
• stressing popular participation, self-reliance, and the
empowerment of people involved in social change.
• requires a communication model that describes the process of
dialogue, horizontal information sharing, mutual
understanding, agreement, and collective action.
• requires a model of social change based on community
dialogue and collective action that specifies social as well as
individual outcomes.
Transformation of Traditional Society
Into A Modern Society
Issues:
The Process (How it can • End Poverty and Hunger
Happen?): • Universal Education
• First level – accessibility • Gender Equality
• Second level – usage • Child Health
• Third level – outcomes • Maternal Health
• Combat HIV/AIDS
• Environmental Sustainability
• Global Partnership
Transformation of Traditional Society
Into A Modern Society
Communication as Dialogue:
• Dialogue cannot occur between those who deny other men the
right to speak their word and those whose right to speak has
been denied them.
• Dialogue cannot be carried in a climate of hopelessness.
• Without dialogue there is no communication, and without
communication there can be no true education (change).
Strength of Weak Ties

• The emergence of the Internet and its extensive global networks

has given traditional, interpersonal face-to-face horizontal
communication a sizable boost.
• The masses who find it difficult to make themselves heard can
now depend on the Internet as a method of expressing their
views and initiating change.
END