Content is key
- The most noticeable element of a media system
- Content is the focal point when comparing media systems
- But other hidden elements must also be considered: Audience, regulation of media, finances, access to media; society’s perception of media; impact of culture on content.
Note: information on this page was taken from the book, “Comparing Media from Around the World,” by Robert McKenzie.
Media as a tree
- Philosophies are the roots
- Cultural characteristics are the soil
- Regulation is the trunk
- Financing is the branches
- Content and news reporting are the leaves
Influence of cultural characteristics on media
- Geography
- Language
- Society
- Government
France
- Second largest country in Europe
- French are proud of their language, though the language is less important than it once was
- Close ties with a network of overseas territories and former colonies
- 99 percent literacy rate
- Paris is the most visited city in the world
- Strong national government
- Promotes music, painting, drawing and literature
- Broad range of political ideologies
Sweden
- One of five Scandinavian countries
- Most Swedes speak English well
- 99 percent literacy rate
- Love and respect for nature permeates national laws
- Traditionally open society
- Swedish government takes care of people from cradle to grave
- Parliamentary democracy with weak monarch
- Egalitarian society
United Kingdom
- UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and parts of Northern Ireland
- 99 literacy rate
- Aristocracy-based class system is slowly breaking down
- Classes: Nobility, professional, working and farming
- British have penchant for reading
- Parliamentary monarchy
- Lawmakers elect the prime minister
United States
- Third-largest country after Russia and Canada
- 97 percent literacy rate
- Cost of American dream: Americans work nine weeks more per year than European employees
- Individual rights are important. People are responsible for their own destiny
- Representative democracy
Mexico
- Eighth largest country in the world
- Spanish is official language. There are also 20 indigenous languages
- 92 percent literacy rate
- Almost 90 percent of Mexicans are Catholic
- Mexican democracy is still developing
- Strong president. Three main political parties
China
- Fourth largest country after the U.S., Canada and Russia
- One of the world’s earliest civilizations
- 6,500 characters in simplified Chinese; 13,500 characters in complex Chinese
- Communist government tried to simplify language to improve literacy
- Population of 1.2 billion. 70 percent live in rural areas
- 86 percent literacy rate
- Socialist market economy
- One-party political system.
Ghana
- Independence from Britain in 1957
- New democracy
- Many political parties
- Fragile economy
Lebanon
- Borders Israel and Syria
- Blend of Muslim and Christian
- Arabic is official language; French is second
- 87 percent literacy rate
- Civil war from 1975 – 1989
- Fragmented power
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