A Study on the Role of the Media and Its Effect on the Identity of Muslims (Part 16)
The Role of Media in Globalization
The world has entered a new era with the advent of media and the formation of the information society. We live in a new world system dominated by media—an era in which media has become an integral part of our lives. What the media conveys to us as information plays a decisive role in how we live, think, and feel, including how our children are shaped. In this process, media policies play a crucial role in the cultural development of countries and in implementing foundational programs. By adopting different communication policies, the media facilitates and accelerates the cultural development of nations.
Undoubtedly, the function of the media in the age of communication affects all aspects of social and cultural life in human societies; therefore, Western media has rushed to support the theory of globalization with all its resources so that the West can achieve its domineering goals through this avenue.
Scientists such as Christopher Balls believe that today material and physical colonialism has given way to intellectual, spiritual, and cultural colonialism, and the governments that control transnational media are essentially the traditional colonialists and autocrats who have always been present on the historical stage. These actors have only changed their appearances, weapons, and methods of influence and domination. These colonialists are trying to infiltrate the most inaccessible corners and hidden dimensions of civil and political society in the affected states by abusing the extraordinary power of transnational media; they aim to pull these societies in the direction they desire and to inject their wishes and desires into the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of the citizens of these governments. The goal is to create a disturbance in their national and native consciousness and to undermine the fanatical nationalist and religious sentiments of these nations. Furthermore, they present a new image of colonialism and exploitation by creating erosion within the governments, which is far more dangerous and destructive than its traditional form.
With the development and expansion of means of communication such as the Internet and satellite technology, we witness a global tension and close connection among human societies, particularly in the fields of culture, politics, and economics. Although globalization has, on the one hand, increased human knowledge and strengthened international relations and brought relative prosperity and development to the world, on the other hand, it has introduced challenges across various cultural, political, and economic arenas. Globalization is an unplanned but directed process that has been unfolding over the last few centuries.
This phenomenon has been guided by industrialized countries, which have gradually sought to create a global regulatory system and expand capitalism from the geography of the West to the entire international system. Although globalization, as an idea and social reality, is a longstanding phenomenon, its modern concept and functions represent a completely new development. In fact, globalization serves as the basis for the formation of a new era in human history. The word “global” has existed for a long time, but its current common usage reflects our preoccupation with world issues. This is why the Oxford Dictionary of New Words introduces the term “global” among new words and defines “global awareness” as “the ability to accept and understand cultures other than one’s own, and a sign of attention to the economic, social, and environmental issues of the world.” The Oxford Dictionary notes that this use of globalization is influenced by Marshall McLuhan’s theory of the global village, as proposed in his book Explorations in Communication. In general, globalization describes how our lives are increasingly entangled economically, politically, and culturally with distant people and places. These connections are not new, but they are more widespread than ever.
In summary, globalization can be seen as an abstract concept established to define the macro trend of technical, scientific, economic, political, social, cultural, security, and environmental policies worldwide. Martin Wolf considers globalization to be a journey towards an unknown destination, whose future remains vague and uncertain.
Dr. Yusuf Qardawi stated: “Globalization does not mean trading one brother with another brother. It is not as Islam wants it. Moreover, the transactions and interactions between peers are neither as free nor as honorable as people throughout the world desire; rather, it reflects a master’s deal with his slave, the great with the small, and the arrogant with the oppressed.”
Today, globalization, in its most obvious form, signifies the Westernization of the world. In other words, it means the Americanization of the world. Undoubtedly, globalization acts as a euphemism for new colonialism—a term that undermines the wills and strengths of the past and abandons traditional styles to usher in a new era of domination under the guise of globalization. Globalization means imposing American hegemony on the world. Any government that disobeys, defies, or rebels must be punished and reformed through sanctions, military threats, or direct attack, as seen in Iraq, Sudan, Iran, and Libya.
Meanwhile, Western media plays the most significant role in social and cultural assimilation. Transforming lifestyle, culture, economy, and social relations into the Western form signifies the destruction of all human tendencies and beliefs.
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