Journalism, Contribution of News Agencies, and the Clash of Civilizations

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Reflection of Four Readings
I have come across numerous readings in this course. For sure, all of them have vital information. However, I selected four articles, including one by Last Moyo, Esperanca Bielsa, Tawana Kupe, and Samuel Huntington. These readings have crucial information about journalism, the contribution of news agencies to effective communication and transmission of news, and the clash of civilizations. I have learned that news agencies have played significant roles in journalism and information sharing. Additionally, the advancement of technology has made it possible for individuals to share news from different parts of the world. One of the most interesting things is that cultural differences among distinct groups of people will lead to the clash of civilizations. The paper is a reflection of the information and things obtained from the chosen four readings covered in this course.
“Introduction: Journalism Studies and the Global South-Theory, Practice and Pedagogy” by Last Moyo depicts that journalism involves communication and media studies. Indeed, it has been developed into epistemologies, cultures, and practices that are in dialogue with one another. The author is right in arguing that journalism has contributed toward the development of a global platform that is necessary for intercultural transformation (Moyo 1567). Today, people from different corners of the world can use the global platforms developed by journalism to pass information about themselves to others. However, journalism is significantly influenced by the territoriality and political geographies of intellectual movements and social actors in journalism practice and studies. Journalism is a broad-based movement comprising political, economic, and social interests. Notably, history and geography among other postcolonial studies did not pay much attention to the significant role that the media play in the context of nationalist, colonial, and transnational relations (Shome 245). In reality, I agree that journalism has come a long way to a point where distinctive communities can use it to be heard globally. For instance, it is through news media representations that individuals learn about how others live or the situations they are facing. Journalism is relevant socially, economically, and politically since it facilitates effective communication among different groups of people.
The Global South is perceived as an epistemic location for cultural, intellectual, and ideological resistance to imperial practices and knowledge. On that note, the institutions of higher education in this place comprise practitioners and scholars who are ready to traverse the South and North to build theories seeking to unmask the effect of racism, sexism, capitalism, and patriarchy on journalism processes and institutions (Moyo 1568). As a place, one of the definitions of the Global South is a place where decolonial emancipation is taking place, and new horizons of life are occurring. Moyo is correct in referring to the Global South as the hub focused on understanding the factors affecting journalism. For sure, like other educational fields, journalism is not immune to issues, such as capitalism and racism. That is why the author says that the Global South enhances unlearning and unthinking of imperial journalistic paradigms. That way, it paves the way to knowing multiple things that have adverse impacts on journalism. I was fascinated by the massive information about journalism studies and the Global South that can be obtained from this article.
Esperanca Bielsa’s “The Pivotal Role of News Agencies in the Context of Globalization: A Historical Approach” is another vital article that I have selected. Specifically, no one can deny the fundamental role of the global media in contemporary globalization (Bielsa 347). For sure, the media has made instant communication possible and promoted global connectedness. For instance, when I want to communicate with someone who is miles away or on another continent, it is easy. I only ensure that my electronic gadget, may it be a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, is connected to the Internet. I can use various applications to text, call, or video calls the person, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Skype, Zoom, Facebook, and Snapchat. The media has played significant roles in the development of communication technologies. In other words, it has shaped the current cultural globalization processes. The global news production infrastructure has significantly changed, meaning that the way news agencies gather and distribute information has changed worldwide. The rise of globalization that started a few decades after African independence has contributed to social, political, and economic growth and development by enhancing communication (Kupe 139). For example, political leaders can reach out to their followers easily using the news media. In addition, it is possible to know how the government systems function and market economics are regulated.
I agree with the author’s explanation of how global news agencies process, gather, and transmit information to various parts of the world. Additionally, Bielsa argues that news agencies are not the only ones with the infrastructure to gather and transmit news to different parts of the world (Bielsa 349). Currently, anyone with an electronic device can gather, process, and transmit news on social media platforms. Individuals are sharing breaking news on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and TikTok. These digital platforms are open to everyone interested in sharing stories, videos, ideas, opinions, and other things. Eyewitnesses have the opportunity to share first-hand news. Education in African countries has significantly led to the acquisition of knowledge and facts (Nyamnjoh 129). As such, it has become easy to learn about the cultures or ways of doing things of different communities globall...