The media plays several roles in a country, its key role being to disseminate, compile, record and store information on current and past events in the country. The media is also responsible for the entertainment, enlightenment and education of its people. This role being crucial to the development of any country gives the media immense power and influence on the citizens of a nation. The Media due to this influence can therefore act as an effective tool to mobilize the people towards having a great sense of national identity. National identity is a collective sentiment among certain people derived from the belief of belonging to the same nation, and of sharing most of the attributes unique to that nation (Guibernau, 2008, p. 11).
It follows therefore that the key tenets of national identity would be; historic territory or homeland, common myths and historical memories, common mass public culture, common legal rights and duties of all members and a common economy with territorial mobility for members. National identity can also be drawn from class, ethnicity or religion, ideologies such as fascism, liberalism. National identity is therefore multifaceted and complex. The media having the tools and opportunities to disseminate information widely and comprehensively to all in the nation without fear or favor, therefore serve a key role in the fostering, creation and maintenance of these commonalities hence contributing to the formation of national identity (Smith, 1993, p. 14).
[...] Mass media production and distribution play a key role in fostering national identity. It has been argued that the development of most nations today can be attributed to the rise of print capitalism. In the sixteenth centuries the development of printing technology enabled Europe to foster national unity through the newspapers which were mostly written in vernacular. These papers made the readership have a sense of belonging to one virtual community with whom they shared imagined worlds, even though they did not interact with them in their daily activities. [...]
[...] The most significant part of the media used in the building of national identity in most countries is film. The medium film is especially useful because of its ability to clearly portray and incorporate the nature of the characteristics of national identity. This is done through the personality of a character in the film or as part of the characteristics of the nation's creation and progress. An example of films used to instill national identity is state propaganda films such as The Third Reich in Germany, the Lien Riefenstahl, by Hitler and the Hollywood films which explored the adventure of war and the need for Americans one to sacrifice themselves on behalf of the nation. [...]
[...] Television is also crucial in the shaping of national identity. Television offers us a mirror by which we can view our society as well as others in other parts of the society. It is thus essential in the formation of attitudes, sentiments and opinion on our nations derived from the events and the nature of our society as portrayed in television. In china the government has been able to use television to increase national identity by adopting a propaganda policy which dictates that all propaganda shown on television should be closer to reality and close to the peoples heart This has seen the introduction of stations such as citizen news which are viewed as having helped reinforce the credibility of news on TV. [...]
[...] It follows therefore that the key tenets of national identity would be; historic territory or homeland, common myths and historical memories, common mass public culture, common legal rights and duties of all members and a common economy with territorial mobility for members. National identity can also be drawn from class, ethnicity or religion, ideologies such as fascism, liberalism. National identity is therefore multifaceted and complex. The media having the tools and opportunities to disseminate information widely and comprehensively to all in the nation without fear or favor, therefore serve a key role in the fostering, creation and maintenance of these commonalities hence contributing to the formation of national identity (Smith p. 14). [...]
[...] The internet has thus expanded the freedom for expression and information in china. The Chinese people through the internet, therefore have a platform on which they can discuss their issues, gather information, participate in campaigns and activist activities against the government as well as relate to each other through games, chats and entertainment as well as share in their common culture. The internet has therefore served to unify the Chinese people and give them a sense of belonging consequently fostering Chinese national identity (Jensen & Weston pp. [...]
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