Communication Technology and Canadian Identity

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Communication Technology and Canadian Identity

Introduction

We are in the middle of a global information revolution driven by the rise and convergence of information and communication technologies. The telecommunications sector is changing at warp speed, driven by technological innovation that results in new fragmenting and regionalizing entity. I will examine some of the many forms of cultural fragmentation that take place due to the structure of Canada’s mass media industry. First I will discuss in general basic information about the Internet being a very strong communication tool and then discuss communication technology in the Canadian context. As well, identify the cultural bonding aspects of communication in Canada such as the overcoming of geography, and the bilingual access to media.

Canada is a vast country with a strong multiculturalism policy, many distinct regions, and heavy foreign influence. The size of Canada has shaped much of Canadian’s way of life. Communications could not have developed easily or naturally in Canada without relying on technological innovations to bond the country in a communicative society. Canada has been divided into provinces and territories which have extremely different terrains, climates, economies and cultures. These differences create conflicting interests and misunderstandings.

Internet

The Internet, originally arising from the American military, has grown to a main source of communication for millions around the world and has helped in creating a global village. The Internet started gaining fast acceptance in the 1990's especially in North America. Countries such as China however, still have limited access and control over the contents on the internet allowed ...

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Images:

Image 1: Google Image, 2003, http://www.paul.ottiger.name/, April 10, 2003

Image 2: Google Image, 2003, http://conference.inria.fr/MS4CMS/ProgB.html, April 10, 2003

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