Print and Electronic Media in Local Identities - Essay Example

Identities and the City/ The Project/ 4,000 words/ August 26, 2006 The Role of the Print and Electronic Media and its Contribution to Local Identities in London and Paris The search for one’s identity is universal. It does not matter whether you live in the most remote village of Romania, in the suburbs of France or in the centre of trade in England, there is always this yearning to find within yourself who you really are and how other people see you as a person and as a member of a bigger community. It is innate to every individual to find his true identity, his purpose in life and his belongingness in the larger society. As I run though this course (European Identities), I gradually became aware of the fact that I am not alone in this pursuit. I am not alone in finding answers to whether I am who I am because of my bloodline, or because of my place of birth, or because of my education and upbringing, or because of my language and nationality. I learned that identifying or finding my true identity is reflective of the huge debates and boundless discussions on the true identities of all the peoples of Europe as well. What is more interesting is that aside from our search for individual identity, there is a growing clamor in the intellectual and educational societies to mark what is the true meaning of “European Identity.” To think that Europe, in all its contributions to humanity in all the branches of science and development of civilizations, is still facing huge discourses on its identity as a whole and integrated community is indeed a great challenge to me, to take part in this quest, to see beyond myself, and to find the real meaning of being a “European.” In one of the reflections of Croatian-born Slavenka Drakulic, “Who is Afraid of Europe” as discussed by Mark Pittaway in Chapter I “Borders and Identities” of the book The Fluid Borders of Europe (2003), she described how it feels to be labeled as “others” in an airport where citizens of countries belonging to European Union are given a separate line. Despite her consciousness that she is a European, although coming from the Eastern Europe, she still feels alienated by the treatment of her own people. Too bad but true. A reality in modern Europe that is being felt by other immigrants, Eastern and Central Europeans and those who are being prejudiced because of their political or racial difference. By the way, as repeatedly discussed in the course, even the issue on the borders of western, central and eastern Europe is still left to be resolved based on the education and orientation of the person looking into each society and country belonging to these regions. Going back to my premise, it is therefore a big challenge for me to understand the complexities and intricacies of issues surrounding European identities. However, I would not want myself to be overwhelmed by the many debates and discourses that involve European identities. My primary concern is to look into a small part of the bigger scheme of things and try to study whether it has somehow affected the identities of people and their immediate localities. I am referring to the formation of identities in some cities of Europe. Highly developed and highly industrialized cities such as Paris in France and London in England are truly interesting for they pose a rather dense community, actually a fusion of diversified people. A city like Paris or London is screaming with multifaceted cultures, classes, norms, values, and political belongingness, but still it stands out and becomes a single place with its own identity. Fascinating isn’t it. I cannot help myself but to be intrigued on the European cities’ uniqueness and distinction despite their glaring diversities and mixtures. Caucasians, Arabs, Jews, Africans and all the Black communities, Asians and other races can be found in cities like Paris and London, but still they stand out when gleaned outside of Europe. I believe that the discussions posed by authors like Cristina Chimisso, Clive Emsley and Mark Pittaway on how identities are formed are manifested in the rather more confined study of cities and their identities. But again, even this is too much to handle. Thus, it would be wise if I would take you to a journey of dissecting urban identities in the face of modern era, the introduction of mass media, especially print and broadcast, and how each affected or influenced the formation of identities of the cities of London and Paris. Larry Woolf in his writing, “Inventing Eastern Europe: the Map of Civilization in the Mind of Enlightenment” (Fluid Borders of Europe, 2003) said that from the age of Renaissance to the age of Enlightenment, the centre of culture and finance in Europe was transferred from Rome, Florence and Venice to the more vibrant cities of Paris, London and Amsterdam. True enough and I agree on this observation. Today, Paris for example, aside from New York, is still the most popular and the most frequented city in the world. Known not only for its grandeur and romanticism, Paris boasts of its rich culture, arts and history. Paris is everywhere, captured in every medium possible, whether it would be print or broadcast. It is the centre of fashion, arts, commerce, basically the “apple city” of Europe. When perceived in the outer world, Paris is the epitome of high society and class. On the other hand, London is perceived as the centre of power of United Kingdom. It is indeed the window of UK’s political prowess and financial status in the global community. It speaks of UK as it houses the House of Parliament and is home to the monarchs and royalties. A historical city that has been the frontier of knowledge, arts, culture and politics, London depicts what is to England and what is to UK. But the words allotted to me to discuss my project are not enough to trace the histories of both cities and to establish several factors that have molded their identities since the beginning of civilizations to the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution and the new millennium. Thus, I will confine the focus of my discourse to the role of mass media in shaping the identities of these two great cities of Europe. The history of print and broadcast media in Paris and France as a whole and London and England is crucial to the discussion of its influence to these cities/states. For it would be futile to analyse what made these cities unique without tracing their pasts, even only part of it. Although broadcast media came in late during the 1920s as compared to print media which has been in existence since the early centuries, broadcast and electronic media has been a major driver of change in Europe in the modern age. Broadcast and electronic media, which include the Internet-based papers, magazines and other publications, primarily dominates every major city in Europe, as well as around the globe. At present, millions of people are either tuned-in to their radios, watch the television or browse the Internet for information, entertainment, education or communication. The power of media to mold the minds of the public is too evident in almost every society, not only in Paris and London. The media has the muscle to stir opinions, open avenues for discourses, influence political and social exercises, or even command action from its audience. And with the introduction of information technology, the media has become more powerful than ever. France and England are shelters to the two most largest and most credible news agencies or networks in the world, the Agence France-Presse (AFP) and the Reuters, respectively. Both AFP and Reuters have their central offices in Paris and London, respectively, making the two cities their centres of operations. AFP has regional centres and satellite offices in 110 countries around the world. It was founded in 1835 by Charles Louis Havas. AFP is independent of the French government and strictly operates on its own. Meanwhile, Reuters is based in London and operates in 200 cities in 94 countries. A contemporary of AFP, it was established in 1865 as the Reuters Telegram Company, providing services for the London Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ in United States. Reuters, founded by German-Jew Paul Julius Reuter, has built its reputation for being the first news company to report hot news from abroad including the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Everyday, hundreds of newspapers, radio and television networks around the world subscribe to these new agencies getting the latest information in politics, sports, weather, finance and all other relevant news. Given this fact, Paris and London are seats to the most powerful and most credible news agencies in the world. They are the centre of information and are truly windows of modern Europe in the face of the fast-changing world. But what does it mean you may ask? So what if Paris and London, given their similarities as centres of information, both houses the two most credible news agencies in the world? I think by just being the home to AFP and Reuters, both acquired the identity of being the best and most-adept cities in information technology. They maintain their identities as the best of the bests in Europe. The most equipped places that are the sources of valuable information gathered around the world. Relatively, what is inside the news is more important than the status. Consider the political issues on war, racism and other global concerns such as environmental protection, gender equality and labour issues. The daily coverage and reporting of events and issues provide the public a wider range of knowledge and information, thus helping them voice their own view of the issues. Awareness and interest triggered by the media coverage can put people into action. The media, through continuous and consistent bombardment of issues, can encourage people to voice their concerns into the streets. Gradually, it can shape opinion or judgment. It can bond together people of different color, of different status and even gender. The media can create a new identity for a society for it has the power to influence and transform. Take for example the recent passage of a labour law in France which makes it easier for businesses to fire newly hired workers under the age of 26. President Jacques Chirac has already signed the law. It has been in the front pages, in the top of the hour news, in flash reports, everywhere in France, especially in Paris. The result – people are more aware, more educated, more informed, thus they go out of their routinary work for a day and join others in streets to protest. Figure 1 Figure 2 (Young labourers march on the streets of Paris to denounce the passage of the new labour law that provides easy way to businesses to fire workers under age 26. Photos adopted from www.boston.com/gallery/paris protest, for Figure 1 and www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12192269/site/newsweek for Figure 2.) Take these two photographs into consideration and think for a while. What drives a black African-European and an Arab-looking European to be together, side-by-side, on the street probably shouting on top of their voices, protesting against the government? Or what do the men and women of different ages and colors have something in common aside from marching along the streets of Paris in protest? The obvious answer is their political views and political beliefs. Of course, they stand together to fight labour discrimination. But for me, I want to believe that aside from this obvious answer, these people depict the identity of an urban labourer, a mainstream young worker in Paris, intelligent and informed. They establish this persona that has a distinct identity as compared against other workers in other cities of the world. They are a picture of Paris’ vibrant and free spirit but likewise knowledgeable, living above others just like the city’s glamour, elegance and class. On the other hand, broadcast media has basically changed European’s perception of the outside world. With the establishment of the British Broadcasting Corp (BBC) radio in 1922, to its expansion in the following years up to this digital age, Europe and its major cities like London have been more aware of the other people, their causes and their politics. The stories of war in Middle East countries for example like in Iraq or Lebanon made the people of Europe more compassionate. Their perennial exposure to the qualms and woes of other countries made them aware of the world outside their homes and localities. Broadcast media has introduced the world to Londoners and to all Europeans as well. BBC and all of its affiliates and satellite networks became a fixture in every European families’ life. Whether anyone is in search of entertainment or information, BBC is there to deliver. BBC carries the news worldwide, just like its other counterparts like CNN in US and the London Broadcasting Company or Independent Radio News, anytime of the year, any hour of the day. What has been the role of BBC and other broadcast networks in shaping the identities of cities like London and Paris? Much has been said on the power of media but to give a very specific example, let us look back into the days when Princess Diana was still alive. The life of Princess Diana is like a soap opera that has captivated many viewers not only in London and UK, but also around the globe. A beautiful lady that became part of the Royal Family, Princess Diana was the envy of many. Prince Charles and she were the embodiment of the typical European monarchs. The perfect couple that that is a picture of Britain’s power and stature. It is the media that actually gave the audience in all continents of the world that perception because of their wedding’s broadcast in international television networks. Likewise, it is also the media that helped change this perception. In a way, Londoners were affected by this change. In every step of her way until she died in 1997, the media followed Princess Diana’s life. Her vulnerability, her frailties and her bold gestures were magnified in the boob tube. Her separation from Prince Charles gave UK, more the Londoners, a big blow in the face. It made many to realize that UK is not at all perfect, not at all in shape at all times, as it seems. Too sad but true. As they say, perception is reality. Although the impact of Princess Diana’s life and experiences does not necessarily reflect the life of Londoners or the UK people as a whole, still it is a reflection of the monarch’s weakness despite the identity they have established since time immemorial. Princess Diana’s life is the modern picture of the weakness of the British Empire. An empire that has been in the pedestal of advancement and excellence, of superiority and authority, became an empire that is also weak and unstable in the eyes of many. And this reality has strengthened the fact that since the early 60s and 70s, prior to Princess Diana’s life, rebellions and doubts on the superiority of the Queen and the monarchy have been in existence. The demonstrations, the protests, are captured in print, in broadcast and even in music. And everything is a cycle. The more the media shows these rebellions and protests, the more people become educated, informed and aware. No wonder why Punk Rock started in UK in the early 70s as an underground movement rebelling against government repression and high taxes imposed by the Queen. Groups like the Sex Pistols led by artist Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious brought punk rock music to new heights and hitting the UK charts (even Europe) with singles like “God Save the Queen” and “Anarchy in the UK.” The followers of Punk Rock created their own identity. In a way, they created a neo-culture that shares common beliefs, values and politics. Today, however, after much has been said about UK and the Royal Family, still the reality of the Empire’s great history left a significant mark to the people of London, the great city of England. No matter what others may say, London is still the seat of power and the showcase of stature of UK, considering its role as the centre of trade and investment, as well as education in Great Britain. Even early authors of the Empire like Rudyard Kipling and Robert Louis Stevenson, in their literary works like “The Man Who Would be King” and “The Beach of Falesa” picture both Britain’s weakness and greatness, two contrasting facts on the Empire’s role during the era of imperialism and colonization. They effectively represented the sentiment of the minorities in the African and Indian communities but at the same time asserting the realism of the empire’s superiority. This is a fact that cannot be ignored. UK has been in the forefront of knowledge and innovation. As I said before, society may lose identity but identity can be rebuilt. Ironically, the media, whether print or broadcast, can also help rebuild a lost identity. For example, in the case of Italy, television and newspapers helped unify the country by helping promote the use of one language (De Mauro, 1963). Through the years, mass media continue to form part of the urban identities of Paris and London. Being the centres of news and information, both cities are in the forefront of all political debates and activities. Both cities have the capacity, the technological infrastructure, and the dynamism to sustain their people’s needs and desires. But as I have said in the first part of this paper, the media’s role in shaping the identities of these cities is only a small piece of the bigger picture. Individual or national identity is collectively formed by culture, history, geography, religion or even language. Any of these can bond together a group of people who can be distinguished from others. The ongoing debates on European identities are still as fluid as the borders of Europe. The formation of identities among European people is a continuous process of social transformation and development. As Europe face yet a new age, it tries to discover one identity that would unite all the diversified groups of peoples in Western, central and Eastern Europe. This is evident on the works of the European Union. At present, only 12 countries are members of the Union and there is still a long list of states waiting to be included in the group. The introduction of Euro as a uniform banknote for all the members of the Union is one step towards the bigger tasks of Europe to unite its states, cities and communities. Before, each country has its own banknote as a symbol of their national identity. But with the introduction of the Euro, Europe can be seen in the global community as a collectivity of states sharing the same goals and aspirations and moving towards one direction. However, there is still a lingering gap between the peoples of Western Europe to those living in Romania, Turkey, or even Russia. While most of the states in Western Europe boast of their stable economies, those left by the socialism are still struggling to improve their economies, as well as their standard of life. Although other countries in Central Europe like Germany, Poland, Hungary and Austria, for example, have already made their mark in the economic map, still they need much development and advancement as compared to United Kingdom or France. To conclude, I believe that media can help unify Europe, if only the states and nations agree on certain principles and guidelines that would serve their ultimate purpose. Even if BBC or other television networks around Europe are independent of the governments, still a common path can be taken as long as European people unite. With the wide scope of broadcast media, reaching millions of people around the continent, this dream is not impossible. The BBC and all other media networks, as well as the newspapers can take part in creating one identity for all European nations. Just like as the television networks and newspapers has created certain identities for cities like Paris and London, they can also use information and communication technologies to make Europe a smaller community bonded by a single identity. References: Chimisso, C. ed. (2003), Exploring European Identities, United Kingdom, The Open University. Pittaway, M. ed. (2003), The Fluid Borders of Europe, United Kingdom, The Open University. Emsley, C. ed. (2003), War, Culture and Memory, United Kingdom, The Open University. Pittaway, M. ed. (2003), Globalization and Europe, United Kingdom, The Open University. Kucich, J. ed. (2003), Fictions of Empire, USA, Houghton Mifflin Company. www.discoverfrance.net/france www.bbc.co.uk/the future/pdfs/bbc_pbv.pdf www.wikipedia.com www.bbc.news Read More