THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD – GE 103 –
Global Media Cultures:
What is Media and Culture?
Media
• The tools we use to share information like news, music, movies, and education (e.g., TV, radio,
internet).
Culture
• The way of life of a group of people—like their beliefs, traditions, and art—passed from one
generation to another.
Globalization - spreads different cultures and ideas across the world.
Media (like TV and internet) is the main way cultures and ideas spread globally.
5 Stages in the Development of Media:
1. ORAL COMMUNICATION
2. SCRIPT WRITING
3. PRINTING PRESS
4. ELECTRONIC MEDIA
5. DIGITAL MEDIA
• Oral Communication
o People talked and shared stories.
o Language helped people connect and settle in new places.
• Script/Writing
o Allowed people to communicate over distance and time.
o Helped preserve important cultural, political, and economic information.
• Printing Press
o Made it easy to print and spread books and newspapers.
• Electronic Media
o Includes radio, telephone, TV, film.
o Opened up global conversations and shared cultures worldwide.
• Digital Media
o Includes internet, computers, and social media.
o Helps in online business and advertisement.
o Makes sharing information very fast and easy.
How Media Affects Cultural Globalization:
- Media shares culture across countries (like music, movies, food).
- Media helps people form global connections and understand each other.
Because of media, people around the world influence each other’s identity, traditions, religion, and
behavior. These are always being shared, questioned, or changed.
Various Media & Global Integration:
Tools like TV, internet, and computers help global cultures connect.
Media is a key part of how globalization works.
Enculturation: Learning your own culture.
Acculturation: Learning or mixing with other cultures.
PROS (Advantages):
1. BETTER COMMUNICATION
2. CULTURAL EXCHNAGE
3. EDUCATION ACCESS
4. BUSINESS GROWTH
5. AWARENESS
6. SOCIAL CONNECTION
Better Communication
People from different countries can talk, share ideas, and understand each other more easily.
Cultural Exchange
We get to learn about new languages, food, music, clothing, and lifestyles from other cultures.
Education Access
Information and knowledge (videos, books, online courses) are shared around the world.
Business Growth
Companies can advertise and sell products globally through digital media.
Awareness
People learn about global issues (like climate change, war, or human rights) and take action.
Social Connection
Social media helps people stay in touch and meet new friends from different countries.
CONS (Disadvantages):
1. LOSS OF LOCAL CULTURE
2. CULTUAL DOMINATION
3. MISINFORMATION
4. DIGITAL DIVIDE
5. IDENTITY CONFUSION
6. CONSUMERISM
Loss of Local Culture
Traditional customs and languages can be forgotten because people prefer foreign trends.
Cultural Domination
Powerful countries may push their culture more, which can overpower weaker ones (e.g.,
"Americanization").
Misinformation
Fake news or harmful content can spread quickly on digital media.
Digital Divide
Not everyone has internet or digital tools, so some people are left out.
Identity Confusion
Some people may struggle with their identity as they try to fit into global trends.
Consumerism
People may value brands and products too much, leading to waste and materialism.
MEDIA
- how we share messages, news, and culture.
- Tools or ways we use to share information.
Examples: TV, radio, newspapers, internet, social media, phones.
- To communicate, inform, educate, and entertain people.
GLOBALIZATION
- result of countries and people becoming more connected and influenced by one
another.
- The process of the world becoming more connected.
Examples: Countries trading goods, people traveling, cultures mixing, international companies.
- To create worldwide connections in culture, economy, politics, and communication.
