Pessimistic views of the new media

Media Imperialism

Media imperialism  (or  cultural imperialism) is the idea that the new media, particularly satellite television and global advertising, have led to the Westernization of other cultures, as Western, and especially American, cultural values are forced on non-Western cultures, leading to the undermining of local cultures.

A threat to democracy
Transnational corporations like Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, Vodafone and News Corporation control the Internet technology, the satellite channels and mobile networks. This poses a threat to democracy and enhances the power of the already powerful, as more and more of what we know is dominated and controlled by global corporations.

The lack of regulation
The global nature of the new media, such as the Internet and satellite broadcasting, means there is a lack of regulation by national bodies like Ofcom. This means that undesirable things like bias, Internet crime, paedophilia, pornography, violence and racism can thrive virtually unchecked.

There is no real increase in consumer choice
There is poorer quality media content, with ‘dumbing down’ to attract large audiences, much of the same content on different TV channels, and endless repeats. Celebrity culture will replace serious programming, and ‘infotainment’ (information wrapped up to entertain) will replace hard news reporting to encourage people to consume media.

The undermining of human relationships and communities
There will be an increase in social isolation, with people losing the ability to communicate in the real world as they spend less quality time with family and friends, and become more wrapped up in solitary electronic media. There will consequently be a loss of  social capital  or the useful social networks which people have, as they spend less time engaging with the communities and neighbourhoods in which they live.

The digital divide
Not everyone has access to the new media, and there is a  digital divide  between those who can and those who can’t afford, or don’t have the infrastructure to support, access to such media as pay-to-view satellite channels, computers and broadband Internet access. This creates national and global inequalities, and a new digital underclass, whose members are excluded from the alleged benefits of the new media.

                                       By MKESSA Patricia
                                                BAPRM 42618.