Question

In a well-developed paragraph, 1) define the concept 'contraflow of global media.' 2) Explain how it challenges or reverses the global flow of information, ideas, or products. 3) Since all communication has consequences, discuss some benefits and costs that resulted from contraflows. Let's try to be original this week, and not use examples from the textbook, but instead use personal experience (many of you use global media products everyday), expand on a topic from the reading, or draw from your research topic. It is a big world! Cite all sources and add hyperlinks when appropriate.

Answer 1

ANSWER 1:

The term 'Media' refers to the apparatus which transmits information by using the radio, television and internet. The media has a powerful hold on the minds of people and can reach a large number of people in a short span of time. It is an important instrument which is the backbone of worldwide integration and vice versa. The globalization has also resulted in the flow of media everywhere. Global Media therefore, means the presence of media everywhere in the world. The Global Media does not know any boundaries and has made the world a small place. Contraflow means the shifting and transmitting of culture which arises due to the influx of the migrants in a country. Contraflow of global media can be termed as the exchange of facts, ideas, news etc.around the whole world. It is a two-way traffic as the communication surges in and out.

ANSWER 2:

Contraflow of media, which is the substitute form of media strives to tackle the counter-flow of media flowing from the affluent, dominating and influential countries which captures the minds of people stealthily. People get so enamored by the media inflow from other parts of the world, that their own culture and tradition starts losing its impact on their minds. Most of the developed countries of the world try to transmit their own ideology and perspectives on the other countries by the medium of media. They try to wipe out the native culture and replace it with their own culture. The contraflows in turn are weak and specific, compared to the giant media flow of the dominating countries.  

ANSWER 3:

The exchange of communication due to globalization seems to make the world a small place and helps the people who are spread throughout the world, to feel at home. The Contraflow of Media also creates a lot of jobs and helps to create an awareness among the people who reside in the remote corners of the world. Nowadays, 'everyone knows everyone' as the media helps the people to learn about the history, culture and lifestyle of the people living on the other side of the globe. But, there are certain disadvantages associated with the Contraflow of Media. The Media is not a moral police and therefore, it can spread the communication which is not necessarily true. Especially, the internet is the form of media, which is helpful in many ways, but also can wreck havoc in the minds of people with its unlimited and sometimes unhealthy content.

The Indian Film industry is one of the examples of both the Contraflow and Counter-flow of media. Although, the Indian movies are famous for the colorful portrayal of its culture and are liked by the people, they have not been able to make a significant impact on the Western world. The Indian movies earn money worldwide because mostly, they are watched by the Indians living in the different parts of the world. But, the Western movies are liked and appreciated in India and are watched on a large scale because of the influence of the Westernization on the Indians.