Is Media Globalization a Form of Cultural Imperialism - Essay Example

? MEDIA GLOBALISATION AND CULTURAL IMPERIALISM Introduction Globalization is said to interconnect and lead to interdependence among different countries in the world. It encourages business and cultural activities spread, which would affect cultural value of individual countries. Therefore, globalization is an idea that brings about positive and negative impacts in the world. In this paper, we will critically discuss media globalization and its role in cultural imperialism and specific example of globalization in media. Discussion Currently most of media, which have always been broadcasted at national level, has drastically become global. This information flow is said to result from development of global capitalism, new technologies and global television. Various nations from west deregulated policies creating path for the spread of satellite channels globally. Additionally great increase in global information came up because of invention of the telegraph in and included growth in postal services, cross-border telephone and radio communications, and the creation of a modern mass circulation press .This has increased because of evolution of technologies that can send electromagnetic news. Development of universal bulletin organizations such as Reuters in the 19th century was said to create the path for the beginning codification system. An observation shows that in early twenty first century (1960s) geo-stationary communication satellites was first made fully global hence the globalization of information communications is a practice from early twentieth century. News agencies are closely related to modernization in western nations and expansion of media communication. Example of international news agencies include Reuters, AP, United Press International and Agency France-Press (AFP) which is trusted with role of creating perceptions of the South as being a place of corruption, coup and disaster for Western audience which also is seen as prejudice of colonialism by western leaders. Many newspapers and other media organizations across the world depend on these four agencies as major players who dominate the global dissemination of international news and information. Globalization especially of the media has taken great move and it is not easy task to bring it to an end. This wide spread of its globalization has come up because of innovation and development of advanced information communication technology. Furthermore, globalization of media has facilitated all other forms of globalization in the world owing to the fact that multi-national media is very fundamental in global industries. Many individuals especially in the western countries believe in enjoying the positive impacts of media globalization without fearing or avoiding the media negative results which may include violation of freedom to speech. International communication has been made cheap through Media globalization and availability of advanced communication. This enable people have video conversation with their own who might be miles away. It helps business people be informed on the current status on the stock market via cell phones. This helps in good use of funds, time and power. Internet as another development in media has positively encouraged development in the world health sector. In the event of critical illness, a doctor can transmit an X-ray or MRI through another one at a far country thus offering better solution. A client is thus able to get it effectively and efficiently saving many lives. More advances are being made in media technology such as compression technology to enable easier and good transfers of CAT scans via the Internet for patients to access efficient assistant from all skilled professionals globally. Additionally via the worldwide web, a lot of information has been made readily available to all hence need to be informed in the right way. Homogenization and hybridization are two major types concerning that unify global culture. Homogenization equates globalization with depletion of local cultures and the adaptation of Western culture globally. Therefore, globalization theorists have shown the need to blend local cultures with global foreign influences, seeing global culture as being grounded in a process of hybridization rather than being cultural diffusion of western culture. Media as a special good in world influence the character of an individual. The way people think and behave is greatly determined by media presentations they watch or listen to. Furthermore, media is a product of cultural practices and it is very crucial in building culture globally. It has been noted that media goods are different from many consumer goods and appear to be very important for human consumption as they determine individual personality. Basing our argument on globalization and cultural imperialism, many people are found to have faith in that globalization refers to Western cultural imperialism which concerns colonization in a post-colonial world. Therefore, it is seen to be responsible for negative consequences in distribution of power and wealth within countries. Different understandings have been given on the idea of media globalization versus imperial culture. Looking into three of the most integrated world cultural activities including media, pop music, and tourism, it is right to argue that that globalization does not create homogenization in nations. It strengthens the country’s identity on unique cultural practices. Therefore globalization is a way by which countries make their cultural practices known globally. The globalization of cultural practices has however resulted to negative impacts such as homogenization, hybridization and polarization. Developed countries have monopolized global media for they have resources to bring to table advanced media. This is evidence that the media delivered to the audience globally will always promote the cultural practices of the western countries. This is very negative in the world for majority poor will abandon their health values as they become dominated by the minority rich nations with ill practices. Minority in the world always determine what to be brought out in the media hence influencing culture all over the world. Great narrow concentration of media sources in developed nations have thus reflected the interests those who can afford this large amount of capital to run international media. It has been observed that in the minority first world countries, multi-national media corporations are never held responsible and do not account for their evil presentations. They thus end up bringing to air evil presentations that has resulted to increased violence globally. Although the government has got power to regulate media it is found that currently years there has been a rising trend in decreasing regulation for the media as more freedom has been given to the media. Thus a common agreement is experienced among very few sectors of power on how world should look like and as to what kind of people there should be. Media is currently available and to the reach by people which is contrary totally different from previous status. An example is given of increased competition in the open market which has lowered content diversity. This is observed to standardize a profit as the organizations compete for more audience. Similarly, news stations have taken followed the profit formula hence lower quality of journalistic content bringing a very confusing situation hence global poor understanding of news resulting from personalized media content. This global media ignorance of the public interest does not result from changes of one’s standards in professional journalism. Also it never results from more public need for less irrelevant and evil information. The media is thus to lower public demand and esteem as they broadcast according to their satisfaction. Thompson observed to be ignorant of societal reaction to the news and the impacts it might cause to all adults and children, (Thompson, 1997, p. 56). Owing to the fact that advertising is great source of finance in media it is right to argue that media never choose the important products to advertise as their motive is profit maximization. This has increased decline in diversity and information as it is overwhelmingly dominated by advertiser interests and bias. Therefore quality of journalism is definitely diminishing every day. An example of media that has globally developed is given of American satellite TV programs, (Thompson, 1997, p. 78). Nations such as Singapore have portrayed a very strong practice against post-colonial westernization; they have also shown the need of localization in the media. Generally the national and regional broadcasting markets in many countries are emerging resulting to Western-based programs and channels are becoming less popular and finding it harder to compete with local ones in many countries. Broadcasters are being advised to have localized contents of their programs mainly in to protect local languages, cultures and tastes. Therefore while cable TV services consist of CNN and BBC World Channels, Nations should also put more emphasis on news services at local. This localization of media should take place within and together with the larger picture of globalization. Nations should not only prevent Western cultural influences but also be able to sell their good culture across the world. A country like Singapore has established Singapore International Television which is a satellite TV service covering the region from northern Australia to southern China and from Papua New Guinea to the Maldives which helps them protect their culture as they broadcast both local and internationally. Conclusion To conclude since media has great societal influence it is good to regulate it more for nothing can stop media globalization. It will keep non influencing impact people behavior. Therefore, it is advisable for governments to ensure media freedom but set rules that will favor protection of people culture and good character as well. Therefore, it is right to argue the fact that medial globalization is source of cultural imperialism. Bibliography Thompson, K. 1997. Media and cultural regulation. London, Sage Publications. Read More