COM 405: Media systems

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