Opinion Essay: What role does the media play in shaping the global development discourse?
The mass media are one of the major keys in the role of shaping the public narrative, perception, and communication. Media can develop or obliterate certain political agendas within the public groups. Various examples of media narrowing discourse or guiding the public into particular dogma can be found within almost any political and social crisis.
Mainstream media glorifies global development and neglects any ideology that contradicts globalization. Populism, socialism, and nationalism are highly disregarded and labelled as retrogression. Widely accepted pattern of narrative by many, but also criticized within right-wing media and its followers. This paper examines the importance of media work in the global development discourse and how significant the concept of globalization is for the progress of society.
Media facilitates many sectors of public life with development and makes it more accessible. Globalization of markets and politics have been assisted by media since the technological rise and development of communication. “The media and communication industries are a leading sector in facilitating overall globalization. In the first place, the role of telecommunication is critical to globalized production strategies. It is inconceivable that the pace and depth of globalization could have been sustained over the past decades in the absence of sophisticated telecommunications networking… Directly in their role as enablers of globalization, the social consequences of the media and communication sector are primarily mediated through the sectors that they facilitate.” (Sean O. Siochru, ‘Social consequences of the globalization of the media and communication sector: some strategic considerations’, page 9, May 2004.)
The mainstream establishment of mass media works toward centralization and globalization, which is a natural progression for a global society. In a certain way, all aspects of mass media such as books, films, literature, radio and television broadcast had to blur our country borders and cultural differences. Such narrative is widely accepted by the public and society doesn’t seem to neglect the idea of global development where all of our western nations work together towards commonwealth. If any politician tries to act against the idea of globalization, mass media are quick to react with criticism. Brexit was highly disregarded by most of the United Kingdom’s media, Donald Trump’s sanctions and nationalistic ideology were also met with neglect and criticism from mainstream media. The pattern of accepting and developing commonwealth is drawn up clearly in the mass media. The tax reform proposed by Joe Biden had enormous support from the media. Mainstream media adore any progressive proliferation of common development.
Communication between mass media and the public is crucial to obtain a particular political standard. Mass media can easily push the narrative of democracy and liberalism to the public, which consequentially helps to achieve global development. “The second special characteristic of the globalization of the media and communication sector is as a ‘powerful agent’ in the transformation of social, cultural and political structures. This is, of course, partly the flip side of media and communications as a means of opening new markets and softening up cultures for consumerism, although there is more to it than that. It is this set of (often unintended) side effects of the globalization of media that have the most impact of all, namely the evolving cumulative impact of the gradual commercialization of media and communications on critical social functions, such as the formation of individual and community identity, cultural and language diversity, the capacity to participate in the political process and the integrity of the public sphere, the availability of information and knowledge in the public domain, and the use of media for development, educational and human rights purposes. These areas, the vital functions that media and communications must play in a society that respects democracy, human rights, and economic…” (Sean O. Siochru, ‘Social consequences of the globalization of the media and communication sector: some strategic considerations’, page 10, May 2004)
Mass media role is crucial for the development of democracy and principles of a liberal world. Without the communication that media can offer, accomplishing global development would be impossible. Over the last decades, the public witness diametrical progress in global development, in which mass media had utmost participation. Narrative of clear ‘good’ and ‘bad’ can be easily found within any political stories reported by mainstream media. The power and position of mass media allow them to navigate and protect the global development agenda. This paper will focus on how once upon a time private media stood against the corrupted government and exposed political abuse in relation to how today’s media are still using its digital advantages to support global development.
In September 2000, the Peruvian news station Channel N revealed that government party official was taking brides to destroy political opponents. At the time Peruvian media used all of the available technology. The station was broadcasting on a loop a video of Vladimiro Montesinos the chief of Servicio de Inteligencia Nacional (SIN) taking a bride of $20,000. Decades later and mass media are still fighting against corruption, unfairness, and play the role of an informant to the public. Just as the only private network in the country unmasked corrupted government representative, today Vox news showcases how unjust vaccine distribution is. Moreover, newspapers like New York Times use its digital platform to educate and inform the public about the new tax reform proposed by President Biden that can help society but hurt corporate America. All of these examples are intertwined in one fundamental ground — the mass media are working towards global development by erasing political abuse, informing the public, and exposing the financial disadvantages of the world.
Media’s Solution to Political Abuse
Mass media in relation to the development can potentially make a significant difference. From creating informative content for the public to reporting abuse of finances, media are in a position to influence global development. Private networks that are notably unbiased in compassion to government news station can play the role of watchmen over official actions. During the mid-year 2000, the only private network in Peru discovered a bribery scheme by Vladimiro Montesinos under the presidency of Alberto Fujimori during the ’90s, Channel N broadcasted material that exposed the vastness of brides Montesinos paid to political figures, judges, and government-owned media. “Montesinos served as Fujimori’s chief advisor and had nearly unlimited power. Indeed, many considered Montesinos to be more powerful than the President in the daily operations of Peru. In addition to repressing political opponents through threats and violence, Montesinos was also involved in embezzlement, bribery, and drug trafficking.” Christopher J. Coyne and Peter T. Leeson, ‘Media, Development, and Institutional Change’, page 1, 2009)
After nearly a decade of Montesinos corruption, a videotaped surfaced of him paying over $20,000 to political opponent Alberto Kauri. Private network Channel N was first to report on political abuse by the government representative, and even though Montesinos was considered to be the most powerful man in the state, they still broadcasted defaming material on him. At first, only Channel N was broadcasting the video of Montesino paying brides, however, quickly after that other television networks copied Channel N reportage. In addition, to this video other evidence surfaced regarding the Montesino corruption web. Videos of Valdimiro Montesino bribing judges, political representatives, and media personalities were scandalous and started a pivotal discussion within mass media about the corruption and misconduct of the Fujimori’s party. “Following the broadcast of Montesinos — Kouri video, these other videos of Montesinos’s corruption surfaced and were also aired on Peruvian television. These public broadcasts which became known as ‘vladivideos’, led to the downfall of Fujimori’s regime and the end of Montesinos’s reign as chief of the SIN.” (Media, Development, and Institutional Change, By Christopher J. Coyne, Peter T. Leeson, page 1)
Afterwards, due to public repression, both Fujimori and Montesinos left the country. Alberto Fujimori flew to Japan where he stayed in self-imposed exile. Because of massive coverage from the media, Montesinos was prosecuted and jailed for “usurpation of authority” and dealing with illegal arms. Even decades ago, in the countries of political regime, private mass media networks worked towards global development. Unmasking corruption within the government and risking their lives to deliver coverage of political abuse to the public, Channel N started a war against a misbehaved government official and absolutely eradicated corrupted representatives. Moreover, this story helped to uncover many other crimes of Fujimori and Montesinos. They were convicted of dropping illegal arms in the Columbian jungle in support of rebels, in addition, Fujimori was charged with paying and using death squads in Peru and breaking various human rights acts. Both of their political careers ended in a Peruvian jail, this wouldn’t be possible if Channel N excellent journalism did not uncover the corruption of Montesino.
Mass media have enormous power and potential to change the world for the better. The news station can check and expose the government’s political abuse which directly correlates to global development. Even in the countries where most of the media are birded to broadcast political propaganda, there are still small private networks that can start the mechanism of change. Channel N had one of the smallest market shares at the time, but still, their decision to repeatedly broadcast Montesinos bribery video was crucial in ending Fujimori’s regime. “In addition to highlighting media’s role as a check on government actors, the Montesinos’s story highlights media’s potential importance as a mechanism of social change…. Only because Channel N was free from state interference was it initially able to engage in investigative journalism and expose Montesinos’s corruption by airing the video. This suggests that even when the state heavily influences the broader media industry, it can still be an important mechanism of change… In the sense, the media served as a coordination mechanism for the Peruvian population the repeated public airings of the vladivideos created a common knowledge of government’s corruption, leading to concerted response against such behaviour.” (Christopher J. Coyne and Peter T. Leeson, ‘Media, Development, and Institutional Change’, page 2, 2009). This story directly proves the fact that media can potentially influence the public and start the chain reaction of changes. Channel N, a small private network in the market that is mostly controlled by the regime, still was able to conduct reportage on corruption. In consequence, the president had to escape, and the chief of Intelligence was sentenced to jail.
Today’s mass media are still working towards global development by checking on government actions. New York Times used its digital platform to share the informative piece on Joe Biden’s tax reform which can help the public to recover from the economic disaster caused by the recent pandemic. Contrasted to Peru’s government corruption, here media are trying to get the public’s support of a mandate that will improve the unfair taxation system. On the other hand, Vox’s reportage on the unjust vaccine distribution educates the public on the unconscionable world’s government influence on the dispensation of life-saving medication. All of these examples portray the role of media in global development from different angles and perspective.
Informative role of mass media.
Economical aspect is fundamental for global development, the whole concept of the commonwealth is based on the strong buying power of the middle class. This can be achieved by making the tax system fairer and more affordable for the masses. The current president of the United States of America, Joe Biden is a strong ally of the idea of taxing the richest. His tax reform can potentially bring billions into the budget and help to develop society’s poorest areas. Biden’s reform was met with joy and support from the media. Television broadcasts and newspapers were sure to explain how this legislation can benefit the public. The media’s narrative regarding Joe Biden’s tax was informative, supportive, and crucial for the public.
Biden plan is to close so-called ‘tax loopholes’ and raise the corporate tax to 28%. President of the United States of America aims to raise tax for people who make over $400,000 annually to 39%. In the view of Joe Biden, this money could help to stimulate the economy and recover many sectors. President’s new legislation was met with a lot of criticism from the Republican side of Congress. New York Times in their article written by Alan Rappeport and Jim Tankersley examines the whole of Biden’s tax changes in an informative manner. The language that is being used makes sure that the reader can understand how much corporate avoids paying taxes. “Many large companies pay far less than the current tax rate of 21 per cent — and sometimes nothing. Tax code provisions allow firms to reduce their liability through deductions, exemptions, offshoring and other mechanisms. The Biden plan seeks to put an end to big companies incurring zero federal tax liability and paying no or negative taxes to the U.S. government.” (Alan Rappeport and Jim Tankersley, ‘What’s in Biden Tax Plan?’, New York Times, May 5th, 2021)
Both Times journalists make a clear point that the biggest firms abuse the system, and they should pay for it, especially during the pandemic. Moreover, the article summarizes that Biden’s act can finally help to establish economical fairness. According to the New York Times: “The Biden administration wants other countries to raise their corporate tax rates, too.
The tax plan emphasizes that the Treasury Department will continue to push for global coordination on an international tax rate that would apply to multinational corporations regardless of where they locate their headquarters. Such a global tax could help prevent the type of “race to the bottom” that has been underway, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said, referring to countries trying to outdo one another by lowering tax rates to attract business. Republican critics of the Biden tax plan have argued that the administration’s focus on a global minimum tax is evidence that it realizes that raising the U.S. corporate tax rate unilaterally would make American businesses less competitive around the world.” (Alan Rappeport and Jim Tankersley, ‘What’s in Biden Tax Plan?’, New York Times, May 5th, 2021)
In short, New York Times support the idea of raising taxes for the richest corporations and also points out that Republicans are against it. This creates a narrative politician that is for the commonwealth of people and directly blames the other side of congress which is against it. Such choice of words is not coincidental, mass media has been working towards global development for a long time. Any political agenda that contradicts globalization and world unity is decidedly condemned.
Juxtaposing, New York Times story on tax reform with Peruvian news station coverage the narrative of media either supporting or checking the government financial action can be drawn. In the main case study, it is clear how much of an influence media can have on social changes, and if the government breaks the law and conducts political abuse the media can start that change. In this example, New York Times uses the new technology of digital media to support noble and righteous act. Newspaper analyses Biden’s tax reform and informs the public in the support manner that this can benefit society. This proves that no matter the decade or political situation of media in the country, there are still outlets that protect or informs the public about government doings.
Mass Media’s Reportage of Economic Disadvantage.
In comparison, New York Times coverage with Vox’s reportage on the unfairness of Covid-19 vaccines distribution manifests narrative on how mass media progresses global development. Vox brings an issue of the economic advantage of the U.S.A, UK, Canada and many more developed countries over Brazil and India where people struggle the most. The story displays how the wealthiest bought their way into the line of the Covid-19 vaccine and completely overtook it. Canada has over 8.7 doses per person, UK and the USA have enough vaccines to cover their whole population more than twice. Krishna Udayakumer, the Director of Duke Global Health Innovation Centre, during the interview with Vox, said: “Those the purchase first, or makes the biggest orders, or invested into the research and development are standing at the front line. This is why the USA has over 240 million doses of vaccine so far… Most of the poorest countries in the world don’t have 240 million doses combined.” (Julia Belluz and Jen Kirby, Vox, (April 2021) ‘How rich making the pandemic last longer). Even though the deals that wealthiest counties in the world made with pharmacological corporations like Pfizer or AstraZeneca helped to create a vaccine in the first place, are now making more challenging to distribute vaccine around the world.
However, there’s a solution to the issue that Vox brought the public’s attention to. The program initiated by WHO, Gavi, and CEPI called ‘Covax’ works as a middleman between countries and pharma companies. Covax main objective is to provide vaccine to the world’s poorest regions. Julia Belluz, the senior health correspondent for Vox said: “Covax is kind of like a Paris Climate Agreement of the vaccine world. So, it’s this multilateral effort, with almost 200 countries that have joined. And the idea is that everyone has access to Covid-19 vaccines regardless of their country’s GDP.” (Julia Belluz and Jen Kirby, Vox, (April 2021) ‘How rich making the pandemic last longer). This program can use its purchasing power to negotiate deals with vaccine manufacturers and developers, which would drive the price down and fund the vaccine development. Another idea is that Covax could use the donations from the wealthiest members to sponsor vaccine for the poorest countries.
Vox as a part of mass media brings attention to the economic issue of vaccination. Their reportage directly correlates the role of media to global development, bringing attention to such economic disadvantage manifest the position and agenda of media. “Perhaps the most apparent role of media in development is as a channel for delivering information to the public. It is not difficult to appreciate how media, whether through posters, television advertisements or SMS, can act as an important source of information for individuals regarding all manner of development-related issues…” (Martin Scott, ‘Media and Development’, page 9. 2014)
In relation to the Peruvian news station conduction reportage on corruption, Vox uses today’s technology to reach the public just as Channel N used television in Peru to raise awareness. Technology progress allowed media such as Vox to reach the public via digital platforms, their reportage was viewed by 2.7 million users on YouTube. Peruvian news station just as Vox used technology to broadcast defaming material on the government actions. In both of these examples, media uses digital opportunities to reach the public and bring attention to social issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the media’s influence is crucial for global development. Mainstream media just as small private networks have the potential of changing the public’s narrative and believes. In Peru a private news station that had insignificant influence on the market was able to uncover deep corruption within the government, mainstream media giant New York Times used its digital platform to inform the public about new tax reform, last but not least, Vox’s reportage on vaccine doses distribution brings attention to the unfairness of the system. All of these stories have one fundamental mutual aspect, they all represent media’s conduct towards global development. “Images of starving children used for fund-raising, soap operas designed to prompt social change, the training of journalists in fragile states, campaigns for freedom of information laws, but foreign news coverage of the humanitarian crisis and participatory video projects are also just some of many manifestations of the relationship between media and development. Media not only increase our access to knowledge of events happening around the world but also (seemingly) enable us to influence them.” (Martin Scott, ‘Media and Development’, page 2. 2014).
The technological advancement and development of digital media-enabled influence on the public in a manner so significant that even coverage by small seemingly meaningless news station can eradicate corruption within the regime. Today, media have much more opportunities to reach the audience. Yesterday newspapers are today online blogs adapting to the new digital era, television program evolved into YouTube reportage. All of these changes, but the main point seems too untainted, the mass media are still conducting work towards global development.
In short, mass media work towards global development and utilize all its technological and digital potential to pursue globalization. The main case study showcases, that even a relatively small news station can consequentially influence the public, newspapers adapt into a digital revolution to still educate society on the matters that are important to understand, and internet reportage uncovers the unfair doings of the world’s government. All of these examples of mass media shaping global development have the same goal, progress of development within the society.
References:
Sean O. Siochru, ‘Social consequences of the globalization of the media and communication sector: some strategic considerations, page 9, May 2004
Sean O. Siochru, ‘Social consequences of the globalization of the media and communication sector: some strategic considerations, page 10, May 2004
Christopher J. Coyne and Peter T. Leeson, ‘Media, Development, and Institutional Change’, page 1, 2009) (https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=JksXQohXzosC&oi=fnd&pg=PR1&dq=media+and+global+development&ots=xTBf5hg_Dq&sig=GZIIQ4A8akKS1LkLCJgqF4pz5nQ#v=onepage&q&f=false)
Christopher J. Coyne and Peter T. Leeson, ‘Media, Development, and Institutional Change’, page 2, 2009) (https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=JksXQohXzosC&oi=fnd&pg=PR1&dq=media+and+global+development&ots=xTBf5hg_Dq&sig=GZIIQ4A8akKS1LkLCJgqF4pz5nQ#v=onepage&q&f=false)
Alan Rappeport and Jim Tankersley, ‘What’s in Biden Tax Plan?’, New York Times, May 5th 2021 (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/07/business/economy/tax-plan-biden.html)
Julia Belluz and Jen Kirby, Vox, (April 2021) ‘How rich making the pandemic last longer’, Available at (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ty2J0s2W0c&t=382s)
Martin Scott, ‘Media and Development’, page 9. 2014 (https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=RGtjDgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT5&dq=media+and+global+development&ots=fPWtM1MSlY&sig=0xdekF04jg9Sza-rQitfAuKKt5s#v=onepage&q&f=false)
Martin Scott, ‘Media and Development’, page 2. 2014, (https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=RGtjDgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT5&dq=media+and+global+development&ots=fPWtM1MSlY&sig=0xdekF04jg9Sza-rQitfAuKKt5s#v=onepage&q&f=false)
