What is the impact of media and communication technologies on diversity?

Access to new media and communication technologies is very evident in entertainment, quick global contact at your fingertips, and in the pop culture side of the everyday lives of many people. This aspect of globalization influences economic, social, and political dimensions of society. These technologies can unify a community across great distances and geographical obstacles. With these tools, people can instantly be informed by a click of a mouse or a tap of a finger. These tools also create opportunities and challenges to maintaining unique cultures and languages. Some who view globalization as limiting predict that these technologies will develop a homogenized pop culture that will dominate diverse cultures. Those who recognize the potentials of globalization use these technologies to establish a space for the maintenance of their culture, language, and identity in a globalizing world.

Read

Find out what these media and communication technologies are, their impacts on collective identity, and how groups have responded to these technological influences. Read the Chapter Focus on page 46 of Perspectives on Globalization.

Reflection

1. Name five favourite movies.
   
   
2. How many of your choices of songs, television, shows, and movies are made in or outside of Canada?
   
   
3. How are your choices affected by the impacts of media and communications technology?

Read

Read Universalization of Pop Culture and Hybridization on pages 49 to 57 in Perspectives on Globalization.

Check out the cartoon on page 54- What does this cartoon imply about what many Canadians would rather watch on television? 

Multimedia

Which multinationals are in the business of creating a global village of communication, entertainment, and information?

Click HERE to find out! What services do they provide? List the areas of influence of these multinationals.

Assignment

Please open your Media Giant assignment here. 

Please watch this 58 minute clip.