In a country that encompasses a good mix of East and West such as Singapore, it is undeniable that US media is prevalent. As more television shows, radio programs, movies, news channels, internet websites and magazines are being produced in the United States, the same soaring amount of products are being introduced to this society. Despite this, however strong the influence of American media, the values and traditions of this country are twice as powerful. Although US media does arguably affect and influence the general public to a certain extent, it does not threaten Singapore's national identity.
Recognizing the fact that even though there are positive aspects of importing US media into Singapore, there is also a responsibility in ensuring the stability of and reinforcing the nation's values and principles. The government understands the importance in keeping one's nation's culture, and in an effort to enhance the country's cultural heritage, a set of values was introduced in 1988 by then Deputy Minister Mr. Goh Chok Tong. Aptly named "5 Shared Values," it covers principles such as, "Nation before community and society before self, Family as the basic unit of society, Community support and respect for the individual, Consensus, not conflict and Racial and religious harmony" (Association for Asian Research 2003). As the sphere of US media seem to expand in Singapore, the general public still adhere to these values that set them apart from the rest of the nations.
Some might argue that the large flow of US media into Singapore is a great example of cultural imperialism, and others might beg to differ. Different theorists and scholars have provided their own interpretation of the term cultural imperialism, and depending on the writer, the term could have positive and negative meanings. As suggested by Herbert Schiller, "Cultural imperialism proposes that a society is brought into the modern world system when its dominating stratum is attracted, pressured,... [continues]
Recognizing the fact that even though there are positive aspects of importing US media into Singapore, there is also a responsibility in ensuring the stability of and reinforcing the nation's values and principles. The government understands the importance in keeping one's nation's culture, and in an effort to enhance the country's cultural heritage, a set of values was introduced in 1988 by then Deputy Minister Mr. Goh Chok Tong. Aptly named "5 Shared Values," it covers principles such as, "Nation before community and society before self, Family as the basic unit of society, Community support and respect for the individual, Consensus, not conflict and Racial and religious harmony" (Association for Asian Research 2003). As the sphere of US media seem to expand in Singapore, the general public still adhere to these values that set them apart from the rest of the nations.
Some might argue that the large flow of US media into Singapore is a great example of cultural imperialism, and others might beg to differ. Different theorists and scholars have provided their own interpretation of the term cultural imperialism, and depending on the writer, the term could have positive and negative meanings. As suggested by Herbert Schiller, "Cultural imperialism proposes that a society is brought into the modern world system when its dominating stratum is attracted, pressured,... [continues]
Cite This Essay
- APA
-
(2007, 07). Does Us Media Threaten Singapore's Identity. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 07, 2007, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Does-Us-Media-Threaten-Singapores-Identity-119022.html
- MLA
-
"Does Us Media Threaten Singapore's Identity" StudyMode.com. 07 2007. 07 2007 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/Does-Us-Media-Threaten-Singapores-Identity-119022.html>.
- CHICAGO
-
"Does Us Media Threaten Singapore's Identity." StudyMode.com. 07, 2007. Accessed 07, 2007. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Does-Us-Media-Threaten-Singapores-Identity-119022.html.
