Globalisation has been around for a long
time and there are many, many definitions. When we 'blab' about globalisation we
are communicating, communicating through media. I share my opinions and you,
who may be on the other side of the world, can respond back to me. I can share
with you my Italian and Maltese heritage and you can share yours. We can share
the political happenings of our countries or even start a business together.
Through the technological change that has occurred in recent years anything is
possible. To me, globalisation means exactly this, the whole nation as one,
sharing and working together to benefit each other.
My thoughts about globalisation are very similar to those of
Terhi Rantanen, Professor in Global Media and Communication. She believes that ‘globalisation
is a process in which worldwide economic, political, cultural and social
relations have become increasingly mediated across time and space’ (2005, p.
8). In her text ‘The Media and Globalisation’ it is established that many
globalisation theorists neglect media and communications in their definitions
of globalisation.
When first thinking about globalisation, before reading
Rantanen’s text, I believed that globalisation meant the whole world connecting and working together as one and this means media and communications is essential.
With today’s technology globalisation has increased and this is evident through
the growth in trade, Australian companies moving internationally and overseas
organisation coming to Australia. I believe that capital flow has had the most global
growth due to technological advances, with things like Outlook, Facebook and
Skype, economics has soared.
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| Outlook (Image: https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkCZB2Une8aYfLAMA1_ugfIq-NmyljEmaivytwHnlAlDziaKSyeqyg2OOe) |
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| Facebook (Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcopako/) |
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| Skype (Image: http://citycynic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/skype.jpg) |
These technological products are global products and can be
accessed in every country through internet access. Many products that
individuals consume have also been made in multiple countries. For example, KFC’s mayonnaise is now made in Malaysia by Kerrie Ingredients. It was once made in
their Altona factory in Victoria, Australia and as of August 2012 all products
made in this plant have been sent to Malaysia. This movement is an example of
the increase in economic globalisation. Media and communications are involved
in multiple aspects of this example; communications facilitated the move with technological
advances making it easier than it was in the past and the media informed the public of
this move. Is this a negative or positive example of globalisation? Well, for
my father in law who was one of the 105 people who lost their jobs, the
increase in globalisation has affected him negatively. For Kerrie Ingredients
and Malaysian workers, this movement is positive. Therefore, to me,
globalisation is not positive or negative; globalisation is the connection of
countries through media and communications.
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| Kerry Ingredients (Image: http://www.fdbusiness.com/2011/12/kerry-group-completes-230-million-acquisition/) |
Reference List
City Cynic, 2009, ‘Skype sheds it’s corporate parent, but can it adapt?’, 26 July 2013, http://citycynic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/skype.jpg
Flickr, 2013, ‘Macro Pakoeningrat’, 26 July 2013, http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcopako/
Food and Drink Business Europe, 2011, ‘Kerry Group
Completes $230 Million Acquisition’, 26 July 2013, http://www.fdbusiness.com/2011/12/kerry-group-completes-230-million-acquisition/
Google Images, 2013, ‘Outlook 2013 Logo’, 26 July 2013, https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkCZB2Une8aYfLAMA1_ugfIq-NmyljEmaivytwHnlAlDziaKSyeqyg2OOe
Rantanen, T 2005, The
Media and Globalisation, Sage, London.
