Robert Wicks Midterm

Chapter 1: Globalization & Capitalism

1. Growth of Capitalism Worldwide

   • Capitalism has evolved from a localized system to a global economic structure, influencing political, economic, and social frameworks across the world (p. 11).

2. Globalization: Advocates vs. Critics

   • Advocates: Argue that globalization promotes economic growth, increases access to goods and services, fosters innovation, and reduces poverty.

   • Critics: Believe globalization exacerbates inequality, erodes local cultures, benefits wealthy nations disproportionately, and leads to environmental degradation (p. 14).

Chapter 2: Global Communication & Political Economy

3. Global vs. Local Communication

   • Global communication crosses national boundaries and connects diverse populations, while local or national communication focuses on messages relevant to a specific country or community (p. 23).

4. Political Economy Approach

   • This approach examines the influence of ownership, power structures, and economic systems on communication and media industries, emphasizing the role of political and economic interests in shaping content (pp. 25, 77-78).

5. Cultural Imperialism

   • Cultural imperialism refers to the dominance of one culture over others through media, entertainment, and communication, often leading to the marginalization of local cultures and values (pp. 25, 193-195).

6. Mass Communication Theories

   • The four kinds of theories relevant to mass communication are:

     1. Authoritarian: Media is controlled by the government.

     2. Libertarian: Media operates freely without government interference.

     3. Social Responsibility: Media should serve the public interest and be regulated accordingly.

     4. Developmental: Media aids in national development, particularly in emerging nations (p. 31).

7. Problems with Theory

   • Theories often fail to account for all aspects of communication, are sometimes too abstract, and may be difficult to apply universally. Theories also tend to oversimplify complex interactions (pp. 34-36).

8. Perspectives Guiding Global Communication Studies

   • Evolutionary Perspective: Views communication systems as evolving over time.

   • Complexity Perspective: Emphasizes that communication systems are interconnected and nonlinear.

   • Egalitarian Perspective: Advocates for equal access to communication technologies for all people (pp. 42-48, 79-80, 228-230).

Chapter 3: Propaganda

9. Origins and Meaning of Propaganda

   • Propaganda originally referred to the deliberate dissemination of information, often by governments or organizations, to influence public opinion, particularly during war or political campaigns (pp. 58, 155-161).

Chapter 4: Media Industry Concentration

10. Concentration in Media Industries

• Media concentration refers to the ownership of media outlets being controlled by a small number of companies, which can limit diversity of perspectives and lead to monopolistic practices (pp. 32, 49, 73-74).

11. Evolutionary Perspective in Global Communication

• This perspective sees global communication evolving alongside technological advancements, shaped by historical processes and societal changes (pp. 42-48, 79-80, 228-230).

12. Complexity Perspective in Global Communication

• Emphasizes the interconnectedness and unpredictability of communication networks, where changes in one area can have ripple effects across the system (pp. 42-48, 79-80, 228-230).

13. Egalitarian Perspective in Global Communication

• Focuses on ensuring that all people, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status, have equal access to communication technologies (pp. 42-48, 79-80, 228-230).

Chapter 6: Copyright & Global Communication

14. Copyright Law Protections

• Copyright laws protect creators' rights to their work, preventing unauthorized use or reproduction, and ensuring creators receive credit and compensation (pp. 80, 102, 110, 122, 132).

15. UN General Assembly Resolutions on Global Communication

• These resolutions address the need for equitable access to communication technologies worldwide, promoting global cooperation and reducing disparities (pp. 106-111).

Chapter 7: Global Communication Politics

16. Eight Essential Issues in Global Communication

• Key issues include:

  1. Access: Ensuring everyone can use communication technologies.

  2. Knowledge: Promoting education and understanding through communication.

  3. Global Advertising: Regulating international marketing and its impact.

  4. Privacy: Protecting personal information in a digital world.

  5. Intellectual Property Rights: Balancing creator rights with public access.

  6. Trade in Culture: The global exchange of cultural products.

  7. Concentration: Preventing monopolies in media ownership.

  8. The Commons: Preserving public spaces for free communication (pp. 125-127).

Chapter 8: Digital Divide

17. Digital Divide

• The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have access to modern information and communication technologies and those who do not, often due to geographic, economic, or social factors (pp. 144-148).

Chapter 9: Propaganda & Espionage

18. Propaganda

• Review the historical and contemporary uses of propaganda to influence public opinion, especially during times of conflict (pp. 154-161).

19. Philip Taylor's Discussion

• Philip Taylor highlights the ways in which propaganda has been used to shape perceptions, both in war and peace (p. 161).

20. Media and Espionage

• Media can play a role in espionage by disseminating misinformation or gathering intelligence, a topic briefly discussed at the end of Chapter 8 (p. 166).

Chapter 10: Peace Journalism

21. Meaning of Peace Journalism

• Peace journalism advocates for media coverage that promotes conflict resolution and peacebuilding rather than sensationalizing violence and war (pp. 174-175).

Chapter 11: Cultural Imperialism Labels

22. Other Labels for Cultural Imperialism

• Cultural imperialism is also referred to as media imperialism, electronic colonialism, and information imperialism in academic literature (pp. 25, 193-195).

Chapter 12: Net Neutrality

23. Principle of Net Neutrality

• Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers should treat all data equally without favoring or blocking specific websites or services. It is crucial to maintaining open and fair access to information (p. 226).