Reader response - The effects of media globalization

In Mary Hickman’s article, The Effects of Media Globalization, she illustrated the benefits and drawbacks of media globalization with extensive examples and references. However, she emphasized more on the negative consequences caused. 

One point raised in the article is that “media will get more and more advertiser-oriented”. She used Coca-Cola memo as a supporting point. I agree with this argument and it indeed can be seen in many real life examples. Media corporations receive funds directly or indirectly from companies willing to promote some of their products. In return, the contents covered in the media have to be adjusted to cater the needs of the sponsors. For examples, food companies manufacturing relatively unhealthy food prefer information on healthy diet to be excluded. Companies that have adverse effects on the environment are not willing to see contents related to pollution and climate change be shown. Prior to the release of a new type of supplement, pharmaceutical companies will sponsor some researchers to conduct a research on the active ingredient of the supplement. Generally, to the interests of the sponsors, negative results are omitted in the published research paper. Research journal is usually portrayed as a more reliable source of information. Hence, when the general public have a chance to read it, they tend to form a belief in its beneficial effects more easily, which in turn will help to boost the sale of the supplement. It thus can be seen that instead of getting “neutral” information, the readers are forced to be exposed to “biased” materials. Their values and ways of thinking will then be directed in a way designed by those advertisers.

However, it should not be implied that we are fully surrounded by biased information. With the boom of social media, people globally are able to share information more easily. They simply use their smart phones to take a photo or shoot a video whenever they find something which is worth of sharing. Hence, with the help of these “civilian journalists”, people may be able to access certain news that governments or some companies wish to hide originally. 

In conclusion, although the argument is well-illustrated, she should probably include the contrasting views mentioned above in the article as well.