Broadcast Radio Assemblage - Grace Murakami

 The readings I did my presentation were by Anne MacLennan and Cynthia B. Meyers both fall within the unit of  Historical Formations of the Broadcast Radio Assemblage. These two readings focus on a brief section of history regarding the formation of radio broadcast networks, developing into the role sponsorship and commercialism had on these new networks. Ultimately these readings offer important perspectives of the understanding of culture and identity in radio networks and advertising.  With the emergence of commercialism on radio, advertisers were able to influence consumers like never before. This mirrored the way each network’s ownership could manipulate their audience’s perceptions of national identity.

 I believe that it can be argued that the key element found throughout radio, broadcasting, network ownership and sponsorship is the culture that surrounds it.  Radio has influenced national social and cultural environments in a multitude of ways since its inception nearly a century ago. Radio is a medium that connects people in ways that were not possible when it originally emerged. Importantly, the use of the human voice made radio a uniquely personal medium and the culture that was shared over its airways extremely important. In this sense,  culture is reflected in the nation. The dominant culture is a vital and important factor in determining how a community reacts, responds, and grows. The culture of radio has played a formative role to play in the lives of everyone within that community.


Q: Do you agree that culture is reflected in the nation and it's listening? Why or why not?

Comments

  1. Caraline MacDonaldMarch 20, 2023 at 4:48 PM

    Hey Grace,

    This was a very well done discussion post that highlights a bunch of great points from the readings you covered during your presentation. To answer your question, I would have to agree with you and say that radio, broadcasting, network ownership and so on is the culture that surrounds it.

    Within another course I have taken, that you have probably taken as well, technology and society, Slack and Wise discuss the concept of how technology becomes so connected with the society that it is integrated and developed in. We often see, how various different cultures and spaces use technology differently and although the mediums may be the same, the uses vary immensely.

    Overall, very well done discussion post. I look forward to hearing from you again and other's thoughts on your post.

    Caraline.

    ReplyDelete

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