Week # 3- A Way to learn More...

Last weeks readings in the Thussu text no doubt shone a light on issues which we as communications students seem to be dealing with non-stop. Some of these issues include the ever expanding and intensification of the global communications industry. It is no secret that media organizations both in Canada and abroad have been moving towards both vertical (ownership of different stages of production/distribution) and horizontal integration (ownership of formerly competing producers and distributors) processes. But who is to blame for the furthering concentration of our media sources? Is it the big conglomerates striving for monopolies and unbound control? Or our Government, for failing to put an end to the expansion of international agreements which weaken state control over the telecommunications industry? Or rather is it no fault but our own for lacking in the initiative or willingness to step in and really put an effective end to the homogenization of our culture? Is the expansion of the TNC- transnational corporation essentially allowing the big name media companies like Newscorp put a cap on what we are, seen as being “privileged,” enough to know about.

According to Thussu, TNC’s possess the following characteristics...

1) Co-ordination and control over various stages of individual production chains within & between different countries
2) Ability to take advantage of geographical differences in the distribution of factors of production (resources, capital, labour) and in state policies (taxes, trade barriers, subsidies)
3) Geographical flexibility: to switch resources and operations between locations at an international scale. (Thussu, 96)

So really, if a TNC encompasses all of these essentially powerful characteristics that so easily put them into a large profit making and heavily influential category, why do so many of them, like CNN or Fox News for example, cut back , skimp out, or report in a biased manner on the reportage of issues of key importance. With the least foreign correspondents out of any major competing news corporation, why is it that as Americans and Canadians for that matter, we such a huge proportion of us turn to them when faced with the question of which news broadcast to watch? We know the CBC is a more reliable news source, after al l it is publically funded. So why the toss up?

It is true that CNN is readily available in so many places all over the world, but what is the cost of this increased access. I vouch to say that a decrease in quality no doubt accompanies the increased access and ‘infotainment’ reputation this particular news corporation possesses.

So, if these kinds of issues seem to be flooding the mainstream , in communications policy at least, my question becomes, What kinds of initiatives need to be taken to inform the public on the issues that may not be covered by mainstream directionally motivated news corporations. Particularly, what can be done to help inform and inspire the youth of a particular nation to get involved, and read between the lines of what they are being told?

A simple answer in terms of Canada in particular, may be right under our noses in the medium of online communities such as momentofyouth.org. This online forum possesses so many of the qualities that serve to inspire and inform the youth of today. Here, there are several videos, or “vimeos” as the creator calls them, done in a kind of knock off of Rick Mercer, bold statement, and audience questioning style. There are videos and accompanying forums discussing a variety of topics having to do with Canadian society, its politics, and key issues of debate that so many young people may not either know about or lack a clear understanding of. The creator, Jon Gallager a PhD. candidate at the University of Waterloo, does a great job of addressing issues such as the environment, the political spectrum, the minimum wage, crime, and poverty. It is through addressing these broad issues that he also touches on aspects of globalization and corporate/ governmental control of our public industries, things that are absolutely vital to know about when hoping to gain some kind of educated perspective on international communication. So although momentofyouth.org has not yet addressed the issue of concentration of media ownership, for example, this site is no doubt on well on its way to further developing its ideas and remaining a strong resource for those Canadians , particularly youth, who want to know more than what they are simply being told by mainstream media sources.

Sources:

http://www.momentofyouth.org/discussion/index.php?board=3.0

Thussu, Daya Kishan. “International Communication: Continuity and Change,” Oxford University Press, London 2006.