Media and Globalization: A Discourse on the Culture and Identity Crisis of the Third World

Globalization is often exclusively associated with worldwide economic integration and the emergence .of a borderless global market. However, globalization also involves sweeping changes on the social, cultural and political terrains. Globalization is not an inclusive or progressive form of internationalism. Globalization does not create or encourage economic freedom, opportunities, and choice at all levels; rather it is more akin to a monoculture of ideas, politics, and economic models. This paper therefore presented arguments on the impact of globalization and the media on the culture and identity of Third World countries(Developing countries). Literature reviewed as well as arguments examined show that the major consequences of globalization and inflow of information from the foreign media have been: the transmogrification of traditional religions and belief systems; the loss of identity, the beginning of the disintegration of the traditional social fabrics and shared norms by consumerism, cyber-culture, newfangled religions and changing work ethics and work rhythms; the fast spreading anomie forcing an ever increasing number of individuals to fall back upon the easily accessible pretentious religious banalities, and attributing to religion the creation and acceleration of extremist, fundamentalist and terrorist tendencies in the third world countries. To sum up, culture as a way of human life is constantly undergoing change. This has led to a reduction in cultural diversity and increasing hegemonic control in the name of free trade and freedom of communication, at all levels.