A Perspective on Cosmopolitanism in Media - Research Paper Example

?Media and Cosmopolitanism: How Media effects people using cosmopolitanism resulting in alternation of their beliefs ? The theory of cosmopolitanism represents a belief in a world culture and moral structure, transcending barriers of national or regional identity. In terms of media influence and culture, cosmopolitanism is a complex and controversial topic. Some of the issues related to cosmopolitanism relates to the means by which culture can be influenced on a global scale. Other questions relate to the extent that one world, or globalized, culture is truly an effective approach to humanity. In ‘the Case for Contamination’ Anthony Appiah argues that rather than encroaching on regional cultural authenticity, culture must exist in a fluid context as a means of change and adaptation. The question remains, however, the extent that culture does find influence. In these regards, the varying effects of media on dominant and emerging cultures is an issue of primary concern. This presentation considers how media effects people using cosmopolitanism resulting in alternation of their beliefs. One of the major incarnations of cosmopolitanism in the media occurs through television. It’s argued that the television medium has specific elements that function to encourage unreflective identification with local and national cultures. Robertson considers philosophers who argue that the globalized nature of the media has in-turn created within world culture the idea of a one-world culture. One of the underlining assumptions in these regards is that the media is perpetuated by a dominant Western culture that is then consumed by cultures throughout the world, who in-turn adopt Western standards of thought and consciousness. This perspective on media and cosmopolitanism takes on a variety of forms, some more extreme and nefarious than others. It should be no surprise that a great degree of analysis on this issue has within it considerations one might imagine to find in anthropological or ethnographic reporting. In these regards, the theorists have also considered means by which journalists can more accurately present information as a means of valorizing rather than reducing culture on a global context. In these regards, rather than advancing notions of cultural myths or resonant symbols, it’s argued that evidenced based reporting should occur that investigates interactions or unique means of understanding the cultural dynamics of the region. While this perspective does not overtly reveal the extent to which cosmopolitanism alters individuals’ beliefs or culture, it does assume that to an extent journalism shapes beliefs and as a result must be constructed in a conscientious way. In some regards, it’s argued that this media presentation of culture is in a ways in a theoretical conflict or war in terms of defining cultural aspects. Robertson, citing Silverstone, states, “Silverstone developed the notion of ‘mediapolis’ to describe the moral space in which such construction work takes place: a space ‘in which the world appears and in which the world is constituted in its worldliness, and through which we learn about those who are and who are not like us’ (Robertson, pg. 13). In these regards, rather than viewing the media as a single monolithic entity of the dominant culture, it is a dominant culture entity with pluralistic perspectives competing and clashing for the most viable interpretation or cultural presentation. Ultimately, this is a perspective of the media that originates and perpetuates understandings of culture among an almost blank slate-like audience. While Robertson presents a view of cosmopolitanism wherein the media has a great degree of power and responsibility in shaping cultural worldviews and trends, Anthony Appiah argues that the media has less a powerful impact of world-culture than Robertson would have on believe. In ‘the Case for Contamination’ Anthony Appiah considers media influence on Ghana. The major insights into the nature of media influence on cultures emerged in terms of the question of cultural authenticity. Anthony Appiah considers that if media cosmopolitanism is truly as consuming and influential as theorists have argued, than cosmopolitans should be concerned with the encroachment cosmopolitanism has on traditional cultures. This is a perspective that contends media creates desires and offers solutions, in-effect creating a sort of culture of desire. Anthony Appiah writes, “The products they sell around the world promote the creation of desires than can be fulfilled only by the purchase and use of their products” (Anthony Appiah). The article considers this line of investigation as it extends to sitcoms and dramatic film and television broadcasting. While some theories argue that these media presentations have an important and profound impact on the culture that interacts with them, Anthony Appiah argues that it isn’t as stark as Robertson might contend. Appiah’s point is that rather functioning as a blank slate, these cultures are able to selectively implement aspects of the media and shape them to fit their own needs. The article states, “Talk of cultural imperialism "structuring the consciousnesses" of those in the periphery treats people like Sipho as blank slates on which global capitalism's moving finger writes its message, leaving behind another cultural automaton as it moves on. It is deeply condescending. And it isn't true” (Anthony Appiah). Ultimately, this is a perspective on cosmopolitanism in media as impacting culture, but only in selective ways. In conclusion, it’s clear that in considering the perspectives of Robertson and Anthony Appiah that the prevailing wisdom on how the media uses cosmopolitanism to influence attitude and beliefs theorists fall along a number of areas on the spectrum. Robertson’s view is that the structure of the media functions in a way that imparts cultural ideals and impressions on a society which then adopts these beliefs. This is a view of mediated cosmopolitanism as containing a great degree of power and influence on an almost blank-slate like society. Conversely, Anthony Appiah contends that while the media has influence on society, it is not in the all-consuming way that some theorists argue. Instead, it’s contended that cultures shape the media itself to fit their own needs as determined by the specific socio-economic concerns in which they find themselves. Ultimately, the truth most likely falls somewhere between these two poles of thought. References Anthony Appiah, Kwame. (2006) ‘the Case for Contamination’ New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/01/magazine/01cosmopolitan.html?pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1304820100-0pYp36X5nKlG4yBPhFlZuQ Robertson, Alexa. (2010) Mediated Cosmopolitanism: The World of Television News. Polity. Read More