Global Stategies for National Culture: Korean Media Policy in International Perspective

Abstract

Globalization has become a buzz word describing the trend in many, if not most

industries. Some authors have viewed this trend as a constraint on national policy and it

has been especially viewed as a problem for those dirigiste governments which seek to

protect their national cultures from American dominance. This article examines the

globalization of the media industry and analyzes Korean policy toward this industry. The

Korean case is compared to the policies of other countries, particularly that of France

which exhibits many similarities. The argument here is that the theory on "cultural

imperialism" as well as the critiques of globalization theory as it applies to mass media are

inappropriate. Private sector strategies which seek transnational alliances with American

firms are best suited to produce competitive products which, in turn, are likely to best

presenre national culture.