Nathan Gardels and Mike Medavoy's essay is a curious example
of submerged politics. First, they shower us with examples
of cultural conflict brought about by global media. Then
they say American media is losing popularity because of the
invasion of Iraq and subsequent PR scandals. They use this
observation to close with a call for running away from Iraq.
It's a hodge-podge of seemingly reasonable observations
woven into a prefab frame:
1. People hate the intrusion of global media into their
cultures. (Surprise, surprise. International surveys have
shown the more poorly-assimilated societies are the least
happy ones. Conservative forces in cultures will always try
to retain the traditions of previous generations.)
2. There is a mounting resistance to the hegemony of US
global media. This mounting resistance is caused in part by
Iraq and the rise of the Christian right in domestic
politics. (Surprise, surprise.)
4. American media is not as multicultural as it should be.
It should be even more tolerant and accepting...like what?
Iranian cinema? Italian cinema?
The article does ring true in its final paragraphs. Expect
more pandering to the global market, which will ultimately
produce blander and less risky films...maybe a lot more
animal-in-the-city cartoons. If, as the article argues,
Citizen Kane could not be produced in Hollywood today, don't
expect anything else of similar quality. It might offend
some target segment of the market.
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