Topic 2: When international media (including movies, fashion shows, advertisements

and other TV programs) convey the same messages to the global

audience, people argue that the expansion of international media has
negative impacts on cultural diversify. What is your opinion?
) global media ) -( On the hands of a few, large, powerful organizations ) ;(
propaganda ( ) domineering force ) ,( mass seductive advertising ); ( create fresh
desires ) ,( strong economic ties (
) mingle ) ,( bombarded with new values ),( confdence and pride ),( rejection of
their cultural heritage ( ) adoption of Western cultural practices ) ;( ethnic
identit ) ;( social cohesion ) ;( a loss of viewers ) ,( television shows (
) degrade the !ualit and diversit of world culture );( commercialized ( , ) cultural
goods ,( ) commodities in the mar"etplace ( ) authenticit (
) li"elihood of mutual understanding and mutual acceptance #( ) not necessaril
lead to the abolition of traditional values ,(
) $he dominant media re%ect cultural diversit ); ( &ost foreign programming is
promoting cultural diversit ) ,( ' adapt to local conditions ) ,( aware of cultural
sensitivit ) ,( e(ercise self-censorship to suit the mar"et (
As international media companies expand across the world, the growing
popularity and uniformity of some media programs (such as TV shows, movies,
fashion shows) is causing worldwide concern, Many people have strong views
toward this trend. In my opinion, international media is closely lined to cultural
glo!ali"ation and cultural homogeneity .
The dominance of international media is a sign of #estern cultural imperialism
and has the potential to thwart cultural diversity. It is not a secret that
international media is owned and operated !y a handful of giant corporations,
such as Time #arner. They control large sectors of the media maret and place
national media companies at ris. The contraction in the num!er of media
owners will cause a proportional reduction in the variety of programs
!roadcasted. $or example, painting, music and movies accessi!le in the media
have a small num!er of genres, imposing restraints on one%s nowledge of
artwors of di&erent cultural !acgrounds .
In addition to sei"ing control over those creative industries, glo!al
entertainment companies a&ect cultural diversity !y reshaping the perceptions,
!eliefs and norms of ordinary citi"ens in di&erent countries. Most of the cultural
values and ideals promoted !y the leading mainstream media are of American
origin. American culture values individuality, maximi"ation of one%s !ene'ts and
material wealth, rather than communal life and family solidarit, the values and
norms previously treasured in many Asian countries. (nfortunately, many Asian
people now imitate American people, causing the alteration of their perceptions
of family. This radical change can !e attri!uted to those movies and TV
programs that portray the success of American individuals or corporations .
The loss of media diversity is also responsi!le for people%s narrow sense of
ways of life. The ruling class of many countries speas )nglish, favors #estern
food, wears #estern*style +acets and even prefers #estern weddings. ,oung
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people are captivated b American !aset!all and some even dau!ing the
names of -.A stars on their school sweat suits. All these transformations in life
are the result of the audience%s exposure to /ollywood movies, TV shows and
sports reports. The loss of media diversity will lead to degradation of culture and
to a minimi"ation of cultural diversity. It is a worrying trend, as people need
cultural diversity to preserve and pass 0il their valua!le heritage to future
generations, including lifestyle .
As shown a!ove, international media, controlled !y a handful of
transnational media corporations, is exporting #estern culture worldwide and
putting many indigenous cultures at the ris of extinction. The uniformity of
media programs has led to that of artwors, norms and ways of life wherever
international media goes .
) ' *ominance+domination+power '
, ' -ign+smbol+mar"+signal+indication
. ' $hwart+prevent+spoil+ruin
/ ' 0 handful of+a small number of
1 ' 2ontraction+reduction
3 ' 4roportional+relative
5 ' 4erception+view+opinion
6 ' 7deal+value+belief+principle
8 ' -olidarit+unit+harmon+cohesion
)9 ' :e captivated b+be obsessed with+be passionate about+be
addicted to+be "een on+be enthusiastic about
)) ' 4ass on+give+impart+conve
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