The modern world is globalizing rapidly every day- companies are reaching new customers overseas, ideas are spreading to larger groups of people and individuals are becoming more connected now than they have ever been. The media undeniably plays a large part in the globalization of modern society. News reaches a larger audience than simply the country it is produced in, people form larger, more diverse networks and there is a greater social awareness thanks to the globalization of media.

The globalization of media has drawbacks, however. The flow of ideas via the media is often difficult to monitor. Hateful ideas or false news is easily spread, which contributes to conflicts and misinformation worldwide.

The media is largely unregulated, which allows for malicious ideas to be spread easily. Additionally, the media is often seen as biased; consumers rebuke the media for approaching stories with a certain “tilt” or not appropriately informing the world of important occurrences.

The media has undoubtedly shaped our world for the better, like metamorphosis does for a caterpillar, but there is still work to be done. As time goes on, humanity can only hope that kinks in the system will be worked out. Despite its flaws, I believe that a world with media is more advantageous than a world without it.

Benefits of Media

The media is crucial to the education and emotional health of the world’s people. By disseminating new ideas, stories, images and points of view, the world becomes more well-rounded and informed.

Consumers of the media are able to learn about many issues affecting today’s world, such as:

• The economy
• The environment
• Politics
• The health of their country and of others

By sharing a multitude of perspectives, consumers of the media gain empathy and understanding of people in different conditions than theirs.

Consumers of the media are moved to action when confronted with the realities of people in different parts of the world, whether those realities are hunger, war, environmental degradation or lack of education. Global conversations are started when images of children starving in the streets or protestors getting arrested for protecting sacred land are spread to the masses.

Media has been present in many American social movements of the 20^th and 21^st centuries, such as:

• The Civil Rights movement
• Antiwar movements
• Women’s suffrage movement
• LGTBQ+ rights movement

Coverage of social movements gives people the ability to understand their purpose and the opportunity to join their cause. Media connects individuals, inspires them to fight for just causes, and leads them to develop empathy for others. Without media, the world would not be as passionate and interconnected as it is today.

Drawbacks of Media

While considering the positive ways in which media has impacted society, it is also important to recognize the ramifications of this resource. The rapid and widespread nature of media allows for the free and fast flow of ideas.

However, oppressive or hateful ideas are often spread via the media. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) publicizes its brutalities against military forces and civilians. Governments use the media to control populations via propaganda and censorship. Adolf Hitler is notorious for his manipulation of the media and significant use of propaganda during World War II. The United States also engaged in propaganda campaigns throughout World War II, often likening the Japanese people to apes and monkeys.

In addition to a social and political effect upon large groups of people, the media also affects the personal health of those who consume it.

According to doctors and social scientists, overconsumption of media can lead to physical health effects, such as:

• Depression
• Body image issues
• Aggression

The question of the media lies not in whether it has changed society; it lies in how it has changed society. Do the benefits of the media outweigh its faults? That question is largely personal and the answer will depend based on who is asked.

Drawing Conclusions

The globalization of today’s world is astounding. Each day, people are introduced to new ideas, new faces, new points of view and new challenges. They are called upon to act, to empathize and to challenge the confines of modern society.

People develop a deeper social awareness on a daily basis as well, thanks to the spread of news, images and ideas. Global causes gain a larger audience and networks expand considerably with the influence of the media.

The media is constantly changing and assimilating to fit the circumstances of society. Just as the media has changed and evolved over many years, so has the world- and it is not stopping any time soon. As long as there is media, the world will continue in its metamorphosis.