Reader response

Hickman (2007) analyzed the impacts of media globalization in “The Effects of Media Globalization”. The article describes how media globalization brings numerous benefits such as allowing communication to take place worldwide. However, despite of its advantages, media globalization also has its drawbacks. Freedom of speech of local media is limited by media globalization, because only a few wealthy associations control most of the media. Media globalization has also heightened competition in the open market, which has shaped the media into pursuing profit instead of truth. Likewise, the free market principle applied to media proves to be detrimental when it is exposed to strong consumerist desires. Therefore, it is evident that media was created so powerfully that it has influenced its creators.

I strongly agree that the wealthy minority is dominating the majority individuals’ voices, which results in strong consumerist desires around the world. The article states that “The wealthiest countries have the resources to produce the most media; therefore, the media delivered to the global audience will promote the culture of the wealthiest countries.” and that “The media falls victim to strong consumerist desires, which they encourage American citizens to exhibit. Globalization has allowed us to share our culture of greed with the world”.

According to Sorren (2011), Disney’s productions became a major player in global consumerist culture, and the first targets of its dominance are children. Etzioni (2012) also indicated that consumption has turned into a social disease of consumerism, especially in America.

Similarly, I only realized the level of greed and consumerism in Singapore when I went to Cambodia. I realized how contented and happy the villagers (despite living in a less developed country) were as compared to the competitive and materialistic Singapore.

In conclusion, I hope that countries will be aware of how consumerist values are creeping in unconsciously into our cultures through the media, and will be able to make conscious efforts to constantly renew our minds and learn to appreciate the little things, instead of indulging in greed and materialism.

References

Etzioni, Amitai. (2012, 4 April). The crisis of American Consumerism. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amitai-etzioni/the-crisis-of-american-co_b_1855390.html

Hickman, Mary. (2007). The effects of media globalization. Radford University. Retrieved from http://www.radford.edu/mahickman/portfolio/The Effects of Media Globalization.doc

Sorren M. (2011, 26 August). How Disney instills greed and consumerism in babies as young as three months old. Retrieved from http://www.alternet.org/story/152190/how_disney_instills_greed_and_consumerism_in_babies_as_young_as_three_months_old