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Media in World Politics
Media Globalisation
Time and Space
Technology affects how we experience the world Technology has shrunk the world so time and space
are largely meaningless The World is a 'Global Village' National borders are irrelevant
e.g. Harvey, D. (1989). The condition of postmodernity: An enquiry into the origins of cultural change. Oxford, UK: Blackwell.
Technological determinism
Harold Innis The Fur Trade in Canada (1927), Empire and
Communications (1950), The Bias of Communication (1951)
Marshall McLuhan The Mechanical Bride (1951), The Gutenberg
Galaxy (1962), Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man (1964)
“Toronto Circle”
Globalisation & 'progress'
Changes in mass media are the result of technological innovation
There is a inherent scientific logic to developments in technology
Each wave of progress builds on former waves Adaptation is the only logical response, resistance is
illogical.
Waves of thought...
Postwar → end 1960s Development Modernisation
1970s & 1980s Dependency Cultural Imperialism
1990 → Globalisation Post-modernity
Globalisation
De-emphasis of the nation/state as most significant determinant.
'Deterritorialisation' Spatial relativism
Interconnectedness / connectivity / networks “Homogenisation” of culture...
e.g. Castells, M. (2000). Toward a sociology of the network society. Contemporary sociology, 29(5):693–699.Appadurai, A. (1990). Difference and disjuncture in the global cultural economy. Theory, Culture and Society, 7(2):295–310.
Satellite 'footprints'
http://exnetapps.intelsat.com/flash/coverage-maps/sat_foot.html?sat=IS-1W%20at%201%BA%20W
Coverage area of Intelsat 1W (One west)
Clines indicate power of signal → size of dish necessary to receive.
Until early 1970s
Cold War environment Development means choosing a sponsor - 'the West' or
the USSR/China Growth of Non-aligned movement (1961) Development in mass media relied on readily available
imports: Content Technology Personnel
Imported Content (TV)
Nordenstreng, K. and Varis, T. (1974). Television traffic-a one-way street? A a survey and analysis of the international flow of television programme material. Number 70 in Reports and Papers on Mass Communication. Unesco, Paris.
Country Imports (%) Domestic (%)Australia 57 43PRChina 1 99Japan 4 96Malaysia 71 29Philippines 29 71
Egypt 41 59Iraq 52 48Yemen
57 43
Ghana 27 73Nigeria 63 27Zambia 64 36
Imported Content (TV)
Nordenstreng, K. and Varis, T. (1974). Television traffic-a one-way street? A a survey and analysis of the international flow of television programme material. Number 70 in Reports and Papers on Mass Communication. Unesco, Paris.
Country Imports (%)
Domestic (%)
Canada 40 60US (comm.) 1 99Chile 55 45Guatemala 84 16Uruguay 62 38
W.Germany 26 74Ireland 54 46Iceland 67 33Italy 13 87UK 12 88
The '70s & '80s...
“ What about media 'self-sufficiency'? ” Sender, production & distribution, receiver Dependency on imports may retard skills development in
a variety of necessary areas
Hardware SoftwareCreation Camera, studios, printing
plants, computer, reliable electricity supply etc
Performance rights, mngmnt, professional norms, routine operating practises
Distribution Transmitters, satellites, transportation, home receivers, recorders
Publicity, advertising, marketing and audience research
“Cultural Imperialism”
Postwar media and modernisation Allow developing countries access to views of a
'modern world' [ Nations were to be educated through mass
media into modernisation ] Modern farming techniques, health and child care
etc Modernisation here means capitalist-style and NOT
socialist-style (state-controlled, planned economy)
McQuail, Mass Comm. Theory. p256
NWICO
New World Information and Communication Order Emerged from discussion in the UN of New
International Economic Order (→1974) Crystallised concerns of developing “Third World”
countries, and especially members of the Non-aligned Movement (NAM)
Discussion in the MacBride Commission started in 1978. Reported in 1980.
MacBride Report
Discussed and reported on issues such as: The role of international news agencies News/program/information flows between developed
and developing countries Control and administration of technological aspects
of communication Satellite broadcasting across national borders Location of databases
US & UK Reactions
Report critical of companies and institutions based in the 'First World' – mainly the US and UK.
Perceived 'communist' or at least 'socialist' influences (US rep. was Elie Abel, actually Canadian).
Perceived criticism of 'free flow' US (1985-2002, 2011-) then UK (1986-1997)
withdrew from UNESCO.
Dependency and 'free flow'
Dependency: Media systems in developing countries become
dependent on inward flows of content from developed countries. Local production stunted, independence lost, 'culture' skewed.
Free flow: Local audiences choose content freely and there
is little ideological content in globally traded media products. The mass media trade is just another aspect of other types of trade.
Ibid., 257
Alternative news agencies
“The transmission of news items from the smaller national news agencies to the larger agencies and the flow of news between national agencies - particularly mutual exchange between developing countries - present continuing problems” (McBride p84)
Caribbean News Agency (CANA) - 1975
Formed with support from UNDP/UNESCO (Reuters) PanAfrican News Agency (PANA) – Dakar, Senegal NANAP (now NNN) – started mid 1970s, various incarnations, now
led by Bernama (Malaysia's national agency)
Claims 188 member countries
Since the 1990s...
Growth and expansion of media giants. Technological changes
Availability / cost Mobility / access
Diversification of delivery systems combined with consolidation of content production.
Mahathir's Asian Values
“Cultural Imperialism” by another name? Attempt to define and utilise a 'Pan-Asian' identity
Single-party authoritarian govt. 'Social harmony' Community prosperity Respect for authority figures Collectivism
Modern 'global' media?
How inter-national are international/global media and are they an important source of political power?
What is the reach of these media, how much influence do they have?
How does this power compare to that of states? Who are the winners and losers? Do these media actually change the ways people think
and act?
Internet Empires