Rantanen, T 2005, ‘Theorising Media and Globalization’, The Media and Globalization, SAGE, London, Thousand Oaks, Calif, pp. 11-25.
In this chapter of The Media and Globalization, Rantanen provides a thorough analysis of the relationship between globalisation and the media before proposing her own form of methodology for studying mediated globalisation. After detailing the evolution of media communication studies in the United States of America, Britain and Europe, Rantanen explores the three phases of globalisation throughout history. Basing her argument upon this wealth of background information, Rantanen concludes that a new approach is necessary for theorising the correlation between globalisation and media. This is to ensure that the concept does not become marginalised by overarching political, economic and social themes. Rantanen proposes the methodology of ‘global mediagraphy’ in order to truly analyse the complex relationship between the media and globalisation. She proposes an experiment in which four generations of three families are studied in regards to the similar and different ways in which they use media and their contribution to the process of globalisation. However, Rantanen stresses the importance of ‘multi-sitedness’, claiming that her research is substantial as she doesn’t wish to explore ‘how people relate to specific media texts, but how they connect or disconnect with each other via media and communications’ (p.22). This chapter is extremely relevant to the BCM111 Week Two topic ‘Globalisation, Media Flows and Saturation Coverage’ as Rantanen is greatly influenced by Appadurai’s theory of scapes, expressing her appreciation for the fact that ‘it provides a framework to study globalisation, but does not predict its consequences’ (p.21). Overall, Rantanen’s work is extremely thorough compared to past analysis of the connections between globalisation and the media, and is highly useful those who wish to broaden their understanding of the concept.
Butt, MS 2014, ‘Globalization, its impact on mass media’, The Nation, 24 February, viewed 14 August 2018, https://nation.com.pk/24-Feb-2014/globalization-its-impact-on-mass-media
In this newspaper article, Butt discusses how the process of globalisation and the influence of mass media interrelate, producing a positive outcome for the citizens of the world. Butt predominantly focuses on her own observations within Pakistan, and steadily attests that the relationship between globalisation and mass media is optimistic and constructive. This is due to the fact that wide-spread information on topics such as science, health, culture, industry and global affairs are now easily accessible to almost any person, thanks to the increase of diversity in Pakistan’s mass media. This article is relevant to the BCM111 Week Two topic ‘Globalisation, Media Flows and Saturation Coverage’ as Butt directly references McLuhan’s theory of the ‘Global Village’ (McLuhan & Fiore, 1967)*, and illustrates a Utopian interpretation of the worldwide increase in interdependence, interactivity and interconnectedness. However, unlike Rantanen in The Media and Globalization (2005), Butt does not provide any in-depth analysis of the theories that drive the relationship between globalisation and the media. In addition, Butt does not explore the potentially negative aspects of globalisation such as the compromising of culture or loss of identity. However, as Butt has written a newspaper article which reflects her own observations and opinion, it can be asserted that the counterargument to her view on globalisation and the media is not entirely necessary for the platform. Overall, Butt’s article is a sound resource when looking for particular examples of how the mass media can enhance the process of globalisation for every day citizens. However, further research would be necessary to truly understand the complex relationship between globalisation and the media and the differing global impacts it has.
*McLuhan, M & Fiore, Q 1967, The Medium is the Message: An Inventory of Effects, Bantam, New York.
Maddie's Musings 