Assessing the Importance of Globalization and New Media Technology in 21st Century: An Analytical Overview

In the age of Information technology, media play a significant role in societies. Scope of media, its presence in our day-today life and its impact on our lives is undeniable. With the passage of time, media is evolving and regularly adopting new features. New Media is an outstanding example of that genre. "New media" refers to on-demand access to content anytime, anywhere, on any digital device, as well as interactive user feedback and hence ensuring creative participation. Another aspect of new media is the real-time generation of new, unregulated content as well as the factor of interactivity which made it completely unique. Most technologies described as "new media" are digital, often having characteristics of being manipulated, networkable, dense, compressible, and interactive. New media does not include television programs, films, magazines, books, or paper-based publications-unless they contain technologies that enable digital interactivity. Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia and Facebook-a social networking portal are examples of new media, in which most users are also participants. The rise of new media has increased communication between people all over the world and Internet had played an unprecedented role in this regard. It has allowed people to express themselves through blogs, websites, pictures, and other user-generated media. Flew (2002) stated that as a result of the evolution of new media technologies, globalization occurs. Globalization is generally stated as "more than expansion of activities beyond the boundaries of particular nation states". Globalization shortens the distance between people all over the world by the electronic communication. In short, this research paper will try to zero in on the impact of globalization on new media technology and vice versa. The theory of Marshal Mc Luhan of terming entire world as Global Village has today become true due to the advancement in new media. New media technology has played an important role in enforcing a uniform code of conduct, maintaining uniform cultural, social, moral ethics and values. Besides, special attention has been paid on highlighting the negative aspects of globalization and new media technology also. Whatever the case may be, it's undeniable that new media technology and globalization has contributed more towards the development of human race.