To what extent does contemporary critical media theory illuminate the Essay

To what extent does contemporary critical media theory illuminate the recent mass media coverage of the local government led mil - Essay Example Advancement in communication technologies have worked towards changing the very connotation of power play in global politics, the strategies used in global politics for achieving objectives, and the type and number of players in the global political processes. Owing to the transformations brought in by the new age media, governments worldwide have been deprived of their monopolist control on dissemination of information, while individuals, activists and various other non-state actors have sprung into prominence within international relations, as regards conflict or warfare resolution. At present both state and non-state actor are looking towards using soft power that amalgamates diplomacy with soft power, and works towards changing the advantages of soft power into tangible activities (Nye, 2004, 4-5). In the contemporary form of media communication, the critical theory plays an important role in criticising the applied principles in any unfolding event (like the role played by the n ational government during a civil war), in order to judge the situation and bring about a positive change. Despite, the importance of critical media during the time of conflict/warfare and peace resolution, the area remains neglected by modern researchers, with major focus being given to the adverse effects of media in starting a conflict (Hume, 2000). This is owing to the fact that mass media, like television, radio played a major role in fomenting violent conflicts in various parts of the world like, Bosnia and Rwanda (Malley, 2009). The negative effects were also observed in the Danish cartoon controversy where media gave rise to a violent conflict within the Islamic world. A majority of the researchers have observed that the media tends to aggravate conflict situations with recommendations that media must reverse its role and contribute positively towards conflict resolution and transitional justice phase (Gilboa, 2009). In this context, we will examine the role of media, during times of conflict and during the post-civil war transitional phase, and examine it under the lens of contemporary critical media theory, with special focus on the recently concluded government led military warfare in Sri Lanka. Discussion Critical theories in human communication The classical theory of Marxism: In the twentieth century political realms, Marxism based social theory (loosely based on notions theorised by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels) formed to be one of the most important pillars of social sciences, that in theory defied the controlling social order (as regards, the contemporary ideological, political and economic orders). This is evident in The Communist Manifesto  published in 1848 where Marx contended that within the realms of society, the ways of production decides the nature of the social order. They further theorised that economy (along with its institutions) forms to be the basic social structure (simple-base superstructure). In capitalist social orders ec onomic profits motivates production and those that make profits control the worker classes. To obtain liberation the workers must rise against the prevailing economic order, the associated institutions and the dominant