The Impacts of Global Media on Local Cultures and Identities Dissertation

The Impacts of Global Media on Local Cultures and Identities - Dissertation Example Since the overall impact of globalization is diverse i.e. social, political, cultural, economic, media etc. therefore it may be relatively difficult to define globalization according to certain fixed parameters. Although it would be very difficult to believe that any of these views are absolutely right, but nevertheless globalization and its relationship with the media should not be ignored outright Media plays a vital role in creating the link between the different cultures and works as the fastest mode of spreading the aspects of the world cultures. This may create good or bad impacts on local values and culture, grasped or adopted by the local people resulting in the so-called hybrid culture. Hybrid culture is one of the emblematic notions of the present era. Invent of global media has extended people knowledge and has resulted in the exchange of cultural information and identity. Hybridizing process has helped old cultures tradition to recruit new entrants; nevertheless this cros s cultural relationship has only been successful when it is favored by both social and political incentives. Hybridity involves fusion of two or more distinct cultural formats to mix for example their styles, identities and even cross cultural contact. These are said to be the primary requirements for cultural hybridity This movement of contact and exchange of information is believed to be initiated by the evolution of media or by the movement of people through migration from one place to another. Media evolution helped this exchange of information and contact at relatively an easier way through the exchange of ideas and communication skill. This research is intended to develop an understanding of the impact of global media on local cultures in the Middle East with a specific focus on the United Arab Emirates. The Research looked at the numerous theories on the impacts and critical interpretations of the global media on local cultures. During the research, it emerged that the global ization of culture and media has relatively low effect on the local culture. Though globalized media is flourishing within UAE and Dubai specifically, however, the local values are still intact with no or relatively little change. One significant impact however, is that of the increased use of English language and low level of interest towards using mother tongue. Apart from this, the traditional tribal values, family bonds as well as day to day living of ordinary Arabs in Dubai is relatively same. This research focused upon understanding the interaction of global culture and media with that of the local culture in UAE and Dubai and found out that local culture is gradually being affected by the global media such as social media networks and satellite channels. However, flourishing of satellite TV channels like Al-Jazeera has strengthened the local culture while at the same time offering global contents and exposure to globalized media and cultures. Dubai’s culture as such ha s not changed much despite the fact that international tourism is on the rise