International communication and global media: continuity of critical concerns

Abstract

Terms such as change, revolution and new trends are frequently used to describe recent developments in the global media and communications landscape and the impact these shifts have on our lives and society. However, one should be careful to only look for change as one risks only finding and noticing change. Major shifting patterns, reconfigurations and emerging trends are shaping this landscape with unforeseen consequences. Yet, continuity also characterizes the internationalization of media and communication and manifests itself in various ways – both empirically and theoretically, and, as this article emphasizes, through a continuity of critical concerns within the field. The article draws attention to theoretical approaches and concepts that have shaped three subfields of international communications and global media: development communication; media and cultural imperialism; and the audience perspective. The aim is to contribute to the development of our theoretical toolbox that is sensitive both to change and continuity.

Keywords:

• theoretical concepts
• continuity
• digital era
• international communication
• global media
• development communication
• media and cultural imperialism
• audience perspectives

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ole J. Mjøs

Ole J. Mjøs is Associate Professor at the Department of Information Science and Media Studies, University of Bergen, Norway. He specializes in the fields of international communication and global media. He is co-author (with Trine Syvertsen, Gunn Enli and Hallvard Moe) of The Media Welfare State: Nordic Media in the Digital Era (University of Michigan Press, 2014), and author of Music, Social Media and Global Mobility (Routledge, 2012) and Media Globalization and the Discovery Channel Networks (Routledge, 2010). He received his PhD from the University of Westminster, London, UK.