The Multisitedness of Global Media

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session and Reception
  In Interactive Paper Session: Global Communication and Social Change Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

This paper examines the definitional challenges of the concept global media from several approaches. First, different theoretical traditions have formulated their own understandings on global media. Second, it’s long been controversial on how to comprehend the concept of globalization. Third, the difficulty in perceiving digital divide has complicated the global media production and consumption. Fourth, it’s hard to fully grasp the process of identity construction on various sites. This paper argues that the primary characteristic of global media is multi-sitedness, which is implicated and developed by each challenge mentioned above. The flexibility in understanding global media provides more space for researchers to examine the information flow among various sites.

Author

• Yu Zhang, Rutgers University