Media Imperialism The Impacts of Global Media on Local Cultures and Research Proposal

Media Imperialism The Impacts of Global Media on Local Cultures and Identities - Research Proposal Example Although it would be very difficult to believe that any of these views are absolutely right, but nevertheless globalization and its relationship with the media should not be ignored outright. Media plays a vital role in creating the link between the different cultures and works as the fastest mode of spreading the aspects of the world cultures. This may create good or bad impacts on the local values and culture, grasped or adopted by the local people. This research is intended to develop a deep understanding of the impact of global media on local cultures and identities in the Middle East with a specific focus on the United Arab Emirates. The Research will look at the numerous theories on the impacts and critical interpretations of the global media on local cultures. Introduction Globalization is the process of integration and interaction of people, organizations and governments of different nations. It is the increased transnational movement of individuals and resources driven by gl obal investment and trade, enhanced by information technology. Globalization affects people’s culture, economic development and political systems of different societies across the world. Although globalization is not a new phenomenon, policy and development in technology over the past few decades have enhanced globalization through increase in cross-border trade and investments. Globalization has further resulted into deep changes in the very fabric of the society let alone the economy only. The globalization of culture as well as communication has further widenend the gap between the local as well as international culture. Rojecki (2005) attributes the current wave of globalization to national and international policies that have opened economies specially those countries which are willing to open for trade i.e. UAE being one of the global hubs for free trade. Today, many governments including UAE, Qatar, Sharjah and other countries continue to adapt free market economic sys tems aimed at increasing their potential for productivity and creating new opportunities for global trade and investment. Moreover, governments continue to negotiate reductions in trade barriers as they forge international trade agreements that promote trade and international integration. One of the main features that define globalization is the emergence of an international business structure that continues to gain dominance with increasing technology and international relations. Rojecki (2005) views globalization as a force that transforms the spatial organization of social relationships and transactions to generate institutionalized patterns of interactions, exchanges and interregional flows. International politics also seem to flow from this intricate network of social and economic relationships which force nations to cooperate with each other. These views are supported by Giddens (1984) who argues that globalization has power to enhance compression of space and time through imp roved communication, transportation, and information technology. Media plays a major role in globalization because it acts as a globalization force to illustrate the intersection of economic and cultural integration. (Seib, 2009) Media refers to a variety of communication technologies including the internet, radio, television, and print press among others. Van Alelst and Walgrave (2007) observe that electronic media has contributed to development of community and consciousness through its interactive role of