There is a link between that buzz word 'globalisation' and that other buzz word 'the media'. Rantanen (2005) states that the words 'media' and 'globalisation' go together like 'a horse and carriage' or a 'computer and screen' (p. 1) to create a global media landscape.
But how do globalisation and the media work together and what is the relationship between them?
Globalisation and the media can work together in many ways to shape our behaviour, opinions and our perception of the world around us. Jan argues that the media is used as a tool in the process of globalisation to unify different societies and integrate them into a 'global village' (2009, p. 1).
However, can there really be such thing as a global village? Is it possible to unify the world through media and new media technologies?
However, can there really be such thing as a global village? Is it possible to unify the world through media and new media technologies?
This idea of a 'global village' reminds me of the 'Americanisation' of the global media. 'Americanisation' arguably refers to the powerful influence that American society and American media had and still has on other western and non-western countries. Non-western media apparently became 'Americanised' by adopting and incorporating American ideals, techniques, values into non-American national media.
Image 1: An example of 'Americanisation'. An image from the 1949 Japanese film 'Late Spring' by Yasujiro Ozu...
Is this idea of a global village or global media landscape the new 'Americanisation'?
The clip above demonstrates that that non-western media has become increasingly global, popular and available by virtue of of new media technologies and the relative ease of accessing this kind of information. For example, Indian 'Bollywood' films are now being exported beyond India to the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that we are now part of a 'global village' and capable of being unified and integrated with one another. Rather, it is a Western attempt to homogenise the 'globe' under the cloak of 'globalisation'.
References:
Rantanen, T 2005, The Media and globalization, Saga, London, pp. 1-18.
Jan, M 2009, Globalization of the Media: Key Issues and Dimensions, European Journal of Scientific Research, Vol. 29, pp.66-75.
Rantanen, T 2005, The Media and globalization, Saga, London, pp. 1-18.
Jan, M 2009, Globalization of the Media: Key Issues and Dimensions, European Journal of Scientific Research, Vol. 29, pp.66-75.
Very insightful post Hannah. I can completely relate to the idea of Americanisation. I grew up watching American sitcoms like Friends. To this day, the traits of the five F.R.I.E.N.D.S. are built deep into my personality, I tend to speak like them, make the same type of jokes and my accent and vocabulary shows a certain element of FRIENDS touch. FRIENDS was the major source of learning more about the western culture for me. I thought all western countries are the same and people get to hang out drinking coffee all day. Bill Gates was my source of wisdom when he made the famous comment of “In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs”. So, America has certainly influenced my view on globalisation.
ReplyDeleteI found this post rather refreshing, I loved that you included discussion of non-American and non-Western Media. The YouTube clip especially was interesting when it gave an example of Globalisation's subversive effects on non-western cultures (the change in the cultural mindset required for the "Win in China" TV show).
ReplyDeleteI also liked that you challenged the idea of a Global Village, whether it'd actually be multi-racaial and -cultural or just hugely Americanised.
Just one note, grammar and spelling was a little off ("relation ship" at the end of the second paragraph). But otherwise it was an enjoyable and educating read
This is a terrific review on the flows of globalisation, and your idea that it is really just 'americanisation' under a guise is an interesting one, but not without any evidence to back up your claim. You do include good resources and your opinion is clearly stated. The video just pushes the post from being good to great, with a clear explanation of globalisation and its affects. I like the way you pose a lot of questions, to us the readers, and make us question what we believe in regards to this matter.
ReplyDeleteThe flows of globalisation is a great top and one that you have touched on very well.
ReplyDelete'Globalisation' and the 'media' come hand in hand due to the fact that either related or unrelated, it tends to be that the media is in sync with the transforming world. Globalisation happens either through the media, which is often, or the media will highlight the major changes that are happening in the world, whether they directly mention 'globalisation' or not is irrelevant, it will as you said change our perception.
HI, Hannah! Yes, there is an inseparable connection between globalisation and media. Globalisation certainly won’t be happens if there is without medium to disseminate the news. Also, I do believe that western countries and non-western countries are influencing each other a lot, such as the technology, value, culture, economic and so on. However, these sorts of influences seem not very balance which could have enough power to give an impact on local societies. As I am an international from Hong Kong, I have been experiencing the good and bad things which caused by the globalisation. For example, heaps of super brand name goods are opens in there, in which it could bring physical flow (tourism); on the other hand, it also caused the properties price over raising that affecting the local resident’s life.
ReplyDeleteA insightful blog Hannah,we do live in a very Americanized society. I think it is possible to become a global village through media and new media technologies. I have traveled quite extensively through the world and have always used forms of media overseas to connect with people around the world. I have quite a number of friends overseas as well and use media and media technologies such as twitter and skype and heytell and facebook to communicate with them.
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