Global Media SystemsHow media vary around the world

• Authoritarianism – Top-down governance, such as a monarchy or dictatorship.

• Henry VIII – In England, outlawed imported publications, licensed printers, curbed free expression

• Censorship – When authorities edit, delete or preview material before it is published.

• Many great books, both historic and current, were banned. Here’s a small list.

• Divine right of kings – Belief that the monarch is descended from God and, therefore, must be obeyed by the people.

• Libertarianism – The belief that the people should make decisions about what’s best for them.

• John Milton – First made case in 1644’s Areopagitica for the “marketplace of ideas.”

• Marketplace of ideas – The argument for a free and open exchange for information and ideas.

• First Amendment – One of the first times that freedom of press, religion and expression by the people was codified into law.

• Voice of America – Developed during Cold War to provide news, information to people behind the “Iron Curtain.”– Now broadcasts in

countries with state-controlled media to articulate U.S. policies directly to people

– Criticized by some as fighting propaganda with propaganda.

Global News Systems

• Al-Jazeera – Satellite channel based in Qatar originally designed to provided news and information to Arab audiences. Now operates to a worldwide audience.

– Started in 1996 by Sheikh Hammad bin Khalifa.

– Gained credibility with Arab audiences by including reporting from all sides, including insurgents.

– Now one of the world’s best-known brand names

– Started an English-language channel in 2006.

• China– Government does not believe in free expression– Media state-controlled, censored by authorities– Internet firewall that keeps people from posting

controversial topics, like human rights, Tibetan or Taiwanese independence, Falun Gong

– Citizens, though, have found ways around government censors.

• Britain– Created British Broadcasting Corporation in 1927– Run by a board of governors appointed by government– Funded by television licensing fees, about $242 a year– Has global television and radio news services– Created numerous shows popular in America, including

Monty Python’s Flying Circus

India– Influence of Bollywood, nickname for India’s movie

industry, spreading throughout the globe– Industry creates 1,200 movies a year, twice as many as

Hollywood– Large increase in number of wireless Internet users –

600,000 villages have wi-fi centers