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