SCLY3 Mass Media - Culture and Globalisation Notes

Culture and Globalisation
Mass Media and Mass Culture

Mass Culture: Contemporary culture as the product of capitalism, mass production and the mass media.
Term used in a negative way to describe cultural tastes of the working class. Characterised by low standards
& consumed by passive uncritical audience.

High Culture: Associated…

Internet & related technologies has allowed people to produce their own culture in form of blogs, websites
and films ­ demonstrates desire of people to be active participants in creation of their culture.

Evaluation
The opposing theories see contemporary culture in different ways. Mass theorists see today's culture as
product…

Media
Media corporations play major role in this dominance of global economic system. They are among richest &
most powerful of these organisations & are dominant force in distribution of information & advertising. 9
of top 10 media companies based in US.
- In Marxist terms, capitalist corporations control means…

The Internet and Globalisation

Public Sphere: a real or virtual place where people come together as equal participants in democratic
discussions.

Transnationalisation (esp. growth of internet) has led to idea of a new world where free exchange of info
and ideas will produce worldwide democracy.
-Giddens: argues fall of communist…