What impact does the increase of global media have on media audiences?

Over time global media has rapidly increased allowing everyone to access the same things, for example; Television, films, news and social networking websites are now available for all. Some people believe this is a good thing because everyone deserves the chance to experience the same things, but on the other hand, some people think that by western countries feeding out their culture they are diluting other cultures.

An example of a television programme that highlights this is Americas Next Top Model. It first began in 2003 and the most recent season finaled in 2011. Since beginning the show has been aired in many different countries all over the world (Chile, Finland, UK, Singapore, Canada, Estonia, Austria, Poland and more). The influence of this could have an effect on the way people view themselves and what they believe beauty to be. The American view of beauty could be very different to what is considered beautiful in Singapore, which could lead to people trying to change themselves to fit something that would not be the norm in their culture. 

 Since these seasons have been aired worldwide, other countries have made their own Top Model shows; there are now 44 top model shows around the world. I think that this is a good thing because now people from all around the world will be able to experience these types of competitions and also it is allowing more people to fulfil their dreams of being a top model. A downside to this is that high fashion is very western, so by less economically developed countries becoming more westernised they could be decultalizing their own countries.

Another example is global news. Now news can be accessed online and also through other medias such as; newspapers and television. Whereas before news could only be accessed through word of mouth and newspapers, which were published by the big political companies, which would give a one sided view to the news that was being published. The local news gives people a sense of relevance and makes them feel more like a community as they are sharing in the news together. For example, the Cumbrian shootings in 2010, not only brought Cumbria together to grieve but also the whole of the UK felt a sense of grief and ownership. Social Networking websites such as Facebook and twitter would have helped people to deal with their local news experiences, by making status updates and groups etc more relevant to them. The Benedict Anderson Theory of 'Imagined Communities' suggests that people feel like they are part of a community although they have not met everyone in the community. These websites can also help local news to be spread globally. Global news is easily spread through the Internet, newspapers and other medias. The recent Tsunami that hit Japan has been shown globally, people have had access to the same footage. Although a lot of people are not local to that they still feel the misery and sadness about the situation. This has caused a increase in interactivity. People from around the globe feel that since they have seen images and videos of the disaster that struck they have some responsibility to help with it. So global news can help people as people may send money or goods to the people in Japan. Some people feel that global news can be a good and bad thing for diversity and history because on one hand, it is teaching people about other cultures but it also waters down cultures and can decultralise countries because we are being so exposed to other cultures.

What impact does the increase in global media have on the media audiences?

Over time the media industry has changed dramatically, from the original form in which television shows were suited specifically to the culture in which it was viewed. However, as the industry has expanded globally and the development of the Internet has resulted in major impacts for the Media audiences.

The globalisation of the media industry has the impact of exposing the audiences to foreign cultures; this can happen in two ways, as the Western culture can be exposed to less economically developed countries, however, the media can also give us an insight into cultures from other continents. An example of western media being exposed to other cultures via the television is the t.v show 'pop idol' as the successes it had in the UK lead to it becoming a hybrid programme, as different versions were then created in various different countries around the world, for example it had been made and broadcast in Slovakia, Greece, the Philippines, and the Arab states. As all of these shows are inspired by the original British version, our views of what is 'good' and 'bad' may also be expressed in other cultures, and it could lead to British music being played/ sang on the other shows. Although this could be seen as a positive factor as it is offering an alternative to what may be the norm, it also could be argued that by exposing them to westernised television shows, and it could dilute their traditions and thoughts of music / entertainment. A second example of western media in other countries is on the news, as the advances in technology have made international communication much easier, therefore, on the opposite side of the world they can read/ watch what is happening here on the news. This could also have a large impact on the audience, as they could be influenced to protest or rebel after hearing news of our political system or welfare for example. The news over the internet is a very quick and easy way to access information, also, as the news on the television may be censored; the internet is a much harder media to control.

However, as mentioned, globalisation can lead to British media showing aspects of other cultures. An example of this from the television is different genres of film such as Bollywood. This could not be experienced in Britain as easily if it were not for global media. This means that when a film is released, the potential audience for it is much wider than it could have been without global media. By being exposed to other cultures through the television, we are able to understand them in more depth, plus, it offers more variety to the entertainment on offer. The globalisation of the news has a massive impact on the audience here in the UK, as we are able to receive new information every day about what is happening in the world, for example, we have up to date information on the crisis in Japan. This information has a huge impact on us as an audience, as it gives us the chance to donate relief money. Without global media it may not be possible for us to donate money to help foreign countries on such a large scale, and we may not even know about some major events that happen around the world. Many charities to help those living in poverty in foreign countries, also it gives the public more control politically, as if we are able to view global politics and encourages to understand it, it helps people make decisions when it comes to voting in the elections etc.  Global media in the news industry is very beneficial in my opinion, as it has enabled the audience in the UK transform from a passive audience to an active audience, as not only can we view the opinions of others around the world, we can also express our view by taking part in online polls, commenting on the new stories on the news websites, and even contacting the news companies directly by e-mailing in letters/ stories or pictures.

Global media also may affect individuals on a personal level, as Benedict Anderson’s theory of imagined communities explains. As the internet allows people around the world which may have nothing in common share the same online experiences, by being exposed to the same media, they may feel as if they are part of a community. A prime example of this collective identity is the internet website, Facebook, as it is available in 70 languages, and has over 500 million active members; it enables individuals from opposite sides of the earth to connect over the internet on a daily basis, which may result in them feeling as if they are part of a community. A specific example could be Facebook groups that anyone can join, for example the Beyonce fan group, in which people who have one thing in common come together and talk as an online community.

In relation to my earlier points about cultures becoming diluted, Irvine produced a theory of dissolved communities, which suggests that perhaps the globalisation of the media could lead to westernisation being forces upon countries which are not economically or financially ready for such vast developments.

what impact does te increase on global media have on media audiences

Global media is the globalization of media such as TV, News, Radio, Music, meaning the development of media has spread worldwide. Media globalizes differently according to the country and the access that country has, for example America will have easy and quick access to global media such as News,  because its a demorcatic country, meaning people are allowed to state thier opinions and feelings, and they can express this through the internet such as Youtube. However in a country like Japan its a dictatorship and the right to free speech is not allowed, for example the Japanese government told the Japanese public fake results for the 2010 World Cup, and said they won when they hadn't, because of the low access of global media the public didnt know any different, which gives them a false perspective of thier country, meaning they see their country differently to how other countries see them. The globalization of media has helped countries have a real perspective of themselves.

Media has developed dramatically over the years, for example the News, the News used to be a monopoly, meaning very little companies had a news station, the main news was owned by big corporations who had friends in politics, this gave them the power to show their insight on the world to media audiences, which meant the audiences only had one perception on their country. The globalization of media has changed because now  audiences can interact and create there own news, through social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, this gives people access to share their view for free and its easy. However this is not as easy for countries in poverty because they have little or no access to the internet or any media, apart from local media. Another advantage is it gives countries an insight into others that they wouldn't of been able to experience without the globalization of media, one example of TV is " Who wants to be a Millionaire" this has spread over the world and has inspired other countries to follow and do their own version this is 80 different countries from Afghanistan to Vietnam ,  also it was such a popular television programme a movie was made about it called "Slumdog Millionaire", this has its advantages and disadvantages to media audiences such

What impact does the increase of global media have on media audiences?

Over time global media has rapidly increased allowing everyone to access the same things, for example; Television, films, news and social networking websites are now available for all. Some people believe this is a good thing because everyone deserves the chance to experience the same things, but on the other hand, some people think that by western countries feeding out their culture they are diluting other cultures.

An example of a television programme that highlights this is Americas Next Top Model. It first began in 2003 and the most recent season ended in 2011. Since beginning the show has been aired in many different countries all over the world (Chile, Finland, UK, Singapore, Canada, Estonia, Austria, Poland and more). The influence of this could have an effect on the way people view themselves and what they believe beauty to be. The American view of beauty could be very different to what is considered beautiful in Singapore, which could lead to people trying to change themselves to fit something that would not be the norm in their culture. 

 Since these seasons have been aired abroad, other countries have made their own Top Model shows; there are now 44 top model shows around the world. I think that this is a good thing because now people from all around the world will be able to experience these types of competitions and also it is allowing more people to fulfil their dreams of being a top model. A downside to this is that high fashion is very western, so by less economically developed countries becoming more westernised they could be decultalizing their own countries.

Another example is global news. Now news can be accessed online and also through other medias such as; newspapers and television. The local news gives people a sense of relevance and makes them feel more like a community as they are sharing in the news together. For example, the Cumbrian shootings in 2010, not only brought Cumbria together to grieve but also the whole of the UK felt a sense of grief and ownership. Social Networking websites such as Facebook and twitter would have helped people to deal with their local news experiences, by making status updates and groups etc more relevant to them. The Benedict Anderson Theory of 'Imagined Communities' suggests that people feel like they are part of a community although they have not met everyone in the community. These websites can also help local news to be spread globally. Global news is easily spread through the Internet, newspapers and othe medias. The recent Tsunami that hit Japan has been shown globally, people have had access to the same footage. Although a lot of people are not local to that they still feel the misery and sadness about the situation. This has caused a increase in interactivity. People from around the globe feel that since they have seen images and videos of the disaster that struck they have some responsibility to help with it. So global news can help people as people may send money or goods to the people in Japan. Some people feel that global news can be a good and bad thing for diversity and history because on one hand, it is teaching people about other cultures but it also waters down cultures and can decultralise countries because we are being so exposed to other cultures.  

Catfish Task

Catfish
Catfish is a 2010 American documentary involving a man being filmed by his brother and friend as he builds a romantic relationship with a girl on the social networking website Facebook. It is a riveting story of love, deception and grace within a labyrinth of online intrigue.
Filmmakers Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost document a story involving Ariel's brother, Nev, a 24-year-old New York-based photographer, and Abby, from rural Michigan who contacts Nev via Facebook, asking for permission to make a painting from one of his photographs.

Written by:
Universal Pictures              

Directed by: Henry Joost Ariel Schulman
Produced by: Andrew Jarecki Marc Smerling Henry Joost Ariel Schulman

 

What kind of shared experiences are there in the online world and what are some of the issues surrounding this 'global media'?

There are many different kinds of shared experiences in the online world, one example is facebook. Facebook is used by over 500 million people. Facebook is accessible to all via the internet and is available in 70 languages. This is allowing everyone with an internet connection to access the site and sharing the same experiences of it and the things available, such as, online games (farmville). This is good because it's allowing people from all across the world to not only communicate online but it allows  them to share the same experiences and feel connected. This is known as collective identity. Collective Identity is when people feel that they belong in a group although they may have never met all of the group. People sharing the same experiences online is not always a positive thing. As facebook is accessible worldwide, everyone can access it but countries that are less economically developed can become more westernised. An example of this is online shopping. Many people all over the globe shop online but certain cultures may be diluted by this because the clothes, etc. may not be familiar in the culture. Another ways that culture can be diluted online is through news and television shows. Global news online is accessible for all to see and has news from many countries around the world. This means that people may know more about other countries news than local news because it can be so easily accessed. Television shows such as Americas Next Top Model are being globalised because many different countries around the world have taken the show and made it very similiar but more for their own culture. This still dilutes other countries that are not as economically developed becuase it is exposing them to high fashion which may not have been so accessible. Not only is it available on the televison, many shows are available to watch online, so people in countries that do not show the television shows can still watch them online. But more choice can also be a positive because it seems fair everyone in all countries to be able to share and access the same things as eachother.

Catfish task...Gabi

Catfish film

The film was made by Yaniv Schulman and his brother Ariel Schulman. The production companies involved in the film were ‘hit the ground running’ and ‘Rouge’. The directors were Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost.

What kind of shared experiences are there in the online world and what are some of the issues surrounding this 'global media'?

Global media and in particular brings positive points, such as the easy communications worldwide, the wide variety of choice of entertainment. One outcome of the online world that could be seen as an advantage is the sense of collective identity that people feel, as different people from all around the world can have similar experiences online, as they all have access to the same information and websites. This is showed in the film Catfish, as the two characters Nev and Angela have never met and lead very different lives feel that they have a connection after meeting over facebook. They both share the same online experience as many other facebook members from all around the world, as there are over 500 million active facebook users, and the website is available in 70 languages. This means that around the world people are sharing the same experience online, therefore they may all feel a sense of collective identity as facebook users. However, it also has many negative points, such as that due to the global advertising of worldwide companies, it is increasingly difficult for independent companies to compete. Another issue is that with the internet in less economically developed countries, it can force westernisation upon countries that may not be ready for such changes, and the influence of the media is very strong, therefore western aspects such as fashion, lifestyle and diet being exposed in foreign countries may cause their culture to become diluted. A further problem with the online world is the ease of deception, as the 2010 film ‘Catfish’ highlights. The film begins by showing a relationship beginning to form over the internet website ‘facebook’, that seems very normal on the surface, as the two people, Nev and Melissa, speak over the internet, over the phone, via text message and even by letter. The supposed documentary is filmed from the viewpoint of the character Nev and he is also talking to other members of the girl’s family, creating a complete picture of Melissa’s life. However, Nev starts to fine clues to question Melissa’s existence, and finally, when he tries to visit her, it is revealed that Melissa does not exist, but that her mother ngela, who he had also spoken to over the phone etc was pretending to be Melissa, and all of Melissa’s friends that he thought had existed. This film cleverly demonstrates how we trust in the internet, yet we can never be sure who we are talking to, as the internet makes deception so easy. This theory of deception over the internet can also be extended, as it also applies to situations when people believe that they are buying goods online, or transferring money through false websites that pose as online shopping sites or bank websites, that are set up to scam people out of their money/ bank details. This also happens because people often do not question the website they are using, trusting the online world, yet just like the Catfish situation, deception is a danger.

Script for film

1-Yo vital fluid, what's up with global media?
2-Yo homeboy whats good in the hood dog? Global media, it gets information around the world speedier! Globalisation is the growth and acceleration of economic and cultural networks which operate on a worldwide scale and basis. strongly linked to debates about world culture and emerged as a critical concept in the late 1980s. The term refers to that whole complex of flows and processes which have increasingly transcended national boundaries in the last twenty years. The growth of global culture has resulted from major shifts and developments in multinational markets and corporations, communication and media technologies and their world systems of production and consumption. The process is distinguished from cultural imperialism in that it is conceived as more complex and total, and less organized or predictable in its outcomes.
1- How's that man?
2- Like you know youtube man those viral videos can be seen by people all around the world in seconds dude.
1-So?
2- So it means that all around the world everyone has access to the same information, people in the Ukraine and New Zealand can watch the same videos as us Gs here in the US of A!
1-That's cool, so people in Nigeria can watch videos of American idol.
2- Of course...and we can watch videos of Nigerian idol!
1-There is a Nigerian idol?
2- Hell yeah! global media applies to the television as well as the internet, so countries all around the world have their own version of Pop idol, like Greek idol, Nigerian idol, American idol
1- Ooh, like America's next top model?
2- Yeah! Just like that.
1-So global media is a good thing?
2- Yeah in some ways, for example Benedict Anderson came up with the theory of imagined communities which means people feel like they are part of a community when they haven't met everyone in the community. The internet and TV helps people do this as they are exposed to the same medias and can access the same information. For example, fans of the x-factor all around the world might feel like they are a community, even though they have never met each other.
1- Cool.
2- But there are some negative points too, like the Irvine theory of global media transforming the social world, as global media can dilute cultures, forcing westernisation upon some countries. America's next top model is an exmple ofthis as it is in countries around the world and promotes high fashion to people who may not have been able to experience it without the show.
1-So these TV shows are becoming more global over time?
2- Yeah!
1- And the same with the viral videos?
2- Yeah because as websites such as youtube expand and become more popular, the media becomes more global.
1- So how does that effect the people?
2- Well...the audience behavious has changed as we are all effected by the global media although we may not realise it, just like how America's next top model has changed peoples attitudes towards fashion.




1. What kind of media are increasingly global in terms of production and distribution?

2. How have global media developed, in historical terms, and how inclusive is this trend in reality?

3. What kinds of audience behaviour and consumption are increasingly global?

4. What are the arguments for and against global media, in relation to content, access, representation and identity?

 *An explanation of your theme i.e. what does contemporary media regulation mean?
*Indicate which two media areas you are looking at, what specific examples you have researched.
* Include reference to at least two contemporary media theories and how your specific examples prove or disprove the theories
*Include a summary of how you would answer each of the 4 prompt questions using the media theories and your textual examples.