International communication

"Global communication" redirects here. For the electronic music duo, see Global Communication.

International communication (also referred to as the study of global communication or transnational communication) is the communication practice that occurs across international borders.^[1] The need for international communication was due to the increasing effects and influences of globalization. As a field of study, international communication is a branch of communication studies, concerned with the scope of "government-to-government", "business-to-business", and "people-to-people" interactions at a global level.^[2] Currently, international communication is being taught at colleges worldwide. Due to the increasingly globalized market, employees who possess the ability to effectively communicate across cultures are in high demand. International communication "encompasses political, economic, social, cultural and military concerns".^[3]

Historical context

Communication and empire

Efficient communication networks played crucial roles in establishing ancient imperial authority and international trade. The extent of empire could be used as an 'indication of the efficiency of communication'.^[4] Ancient empires such as Rome, Persia, Axum and China, all utilized writing in collecting information and dispersing, creating enormous postal and dispatch systems.^[5] As early as in fifteenth century, news had been disseminated trans-nationally in Europe. 'The wheat traders of Venice, the silver traders of Antwerp, the merchants of Nuremberg and their trading partners shared economic newsletters and created common values and beliefs in the rights of capital.'^[6]

The advent of telegraph and time–space compression

See also: Time–space compression

In 1837, Samuel Morse invented the telegraph. The telegraph worked by transmitting electrical signals over a wire laid between stations.^[7] It was the first mode of communication to eliminate the effect of distance, allowing for a near instantaneous connection.^[8] Given its speed and reliability in delivering information, telegraph offered opportunities for capital and military expansion. It also increased market integration. It did so by lowering the cost of trade by increasing the capacity utilization of shipping.^[8] As showed in Table 1.1, the establishment of cable hardware signifies global power order in late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

Table 1.1 Cabling the world^[9]

	1892	1892	1923	1923
	length(km)	global share(%)	length(km)	global share(%)
British Empire	163,619	66.3	297,802	50.5
United States	38,986	15.8	142,621	24.2
French Empire	21,859	8.9	64,933	11.0
Denmark	13,201	5.3	15,590	2.6
Others	9206	3.7	68,282	11.7
All cables combined	246,871	100.0	589,228	100.0

The era of news agencies

The newspaper industry and international telegraph networks mutually facilitated each other. Telegraph communications drastically altered the way in which news was produced. The individual items of modern newspapers became no longer selected on the basis of spatial proximity, but following newly emerging journalistic criteria of news relevance.^[10] As the supply and demand of the newspaper industry rapidly increased in the nineteenth century, news agencies were established successively.

The French Havas Agency was founded in 1835, the German agency Wolffs Telegraphisches Bureau in 1849, and the British Reuters in 1851. These three European agencies began as financial-data services for bankers, but eventually started to operate internationally and extended their coverage to world news.^[11] They were all subsidized by their respective governments. By 1866, national news agencies were beginning to rise in many European countries. While they covered and sold news locally, they relied on the major services for coverage and sales abroad.^[11]

The global media and news agencies have played a fundamental role in contemporary globalization, making possible the feeling of instant communication and the experience of global connection. They have played a pioneering role in the use of new technologies, such as the telegraph, which have altered the nature of news. Technological innovation continues to be a major area of competition between global news agencies.^[10]

Radio broadcasting

Western countries seized the chances to implement radio communication after the first radio transmissions of human voice in 1902. But the two mechanisms of radio broadcasting were distinctively different. In the US, the Radio Act of 1927 confirmed its status as an advertising-funded commercial enterprise, while in Britain, the public broadcasting pioneer British Broadcasting Corporation set up in the same year.^[2] During the First World War and the Second World War, radio broadcasting played a significant role in both domestic public opinion management and international diplomacy propaganda abroad.

Even in the Cold War times, this radio-dominated international communication still featured in propaganda respective ideologies. The prominent example is the Voice of America, which ran a global network to indoctrinate "American dream" to its international audience. Radio also played an important role in the ideological confrontation between the east and the west. Broadcasts could penetrate the "Iron Curtain" and directly address the "enemy", which was extremely important in the early days of the Cold War. Western broadcasting offered an alternative channel for the flow of new information and ideas. Around a one third of Soviet urban adults and about half of East European adults were regular listeners of Western broadcasts at the time.^[12]

Shortwave transmission sites, known as "number stations" were used by both the United States and Soviet governments to send propaganda to foreign countries. They were also a secure means of sending coded messages to intelligence officers operating in other countries.^[13] As long as an agent had the station, the air time, and encryption code, he could receive a one-time message that only he could understand.^[13]

Not only Western countries have been impacted by communication through the use of radio broadcasting. An example of this is the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. In April 1994, a plane carrying the presidents of Rwanda and neighboring Burundi crashed under mysterious circumstances. This sparked a massing killing spree that took place over the next three months and left over a million Rwandans dead.^[14] The Rwandan media have been accused of inciting hatred that led to violence by using an ethical framework to report a political struggle, as well as spreading fear, rumors, and panic.^[14] They also incited ordinary citizens to take part in the massacres. Through its broadcasts, popular radio station RTLM attracted unemployed youth and Interhahamwe militia, a far-right organization.^[15]

Demanding a new communication order

Since the cold war officially ended in 1990, the intense relations of super powers halted with the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the emergence of the Third World countries, the unequally developed communication order can no longer exist. The Third World called for ceasing their marginalized communication status. Especially when international communications stepped into the information age, 'the convergence of telecommunication and computing and the ability to move all type of data – pictures, words, sounds – via the Internet have revolutionized international information exchange.'^[16] The New World Information and Communication Order debate changed the trajectory of international communication. This was a series of debates that happened in the 1980s about information flow across the world.

Considerations for international communication

When communicating internationally it is important to take culture into consideration. Though English has become the language of business, many businesses fail to recognize that the language used does not determine how business is conducted. Therefore, it is important to understand that intercultural and international communication are interchangeable. Effective communication between international business partners is critical for global success, and underlying national and organizational cultural differences in international business-related relationships can create hurdles to effective communication, which can hinder performance.^[17] The New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) was one of the major shift in the history of international communication.

As a tourist it may be acceptable to maintain the cultural norms from a country of origin when visiting, though attempting to adapt would be appreciated. However, when conducting business it is important to recognize cultural differences, especially when communicating.^[18] At the turn of the century there was a large amount of research based on the needs of those that travel abroad in order to commercialize products or services. The list of researchers includes Hofstede, 1991; Storti, 1994; Ansari & Jackson, 1995; Cushner & Brislin, 1996; Adler, 1997; Mead, 1998; and Marx, 1999. From those studies Gibson's volume becomes an important source of information for business professionals interested in succeeding internationally.^[19] As explained by Douglas Storey, there was a change in style and strategy of American diplomacy since 1979 after the first addition of Glen Fisher's book appeared.^[20]

Despite the reason for international communication it is important to understand that international communication is not limited to the language spoken during communication.

There are two broadly conceived approaches to the creation of international communications regulations. The first would be internationalizing a minimum standard by agreement among the parties. The second is to allow the parties to denote exceptions for specific points about which they may be unable to reach agreement. Though the second approach falls short of uniformity it permits higher standards by allowing some parties to opt out.^[21]

Scope and approaches of international communication research

International communication is widely spread and multilayered in contemporary society, however it is not considered as a separate academic discipline because of its overlapping with other subjects.^[22] International communication is 'a topic field rather than a discipline field' and international communication studies is a mode of 'organizing inquiry'.^[23]

John D. H. Downing proposed ten categories within which international communication should be conducted

1. theories of international communication
2. core international communication processes
3. global media firms
4. global media policies
5. Global news flows
6. world cinema
7. development communication
8. the Internet
9. intellectual property law
10. non-hegemonic communication flows^[24]

Mehdi Semati listed the wide range of research subjects in international communication, which includes, but not limited to the following.^[25]

• Communication and development(development communication)
• Technology transfer
• Development journalism
• Modernization theory
• Dependency theories
• Nation, nationalism, and national cultural
• State, nation-state, and sovereignty
• International relations and communication
• Global communicative access
• Cultural imperialism
• Media imperialism
• Transnational corporations, transnational media corporations
• International organizations and communication
• International television and radio broadcasting
• Broadcasting and propaganda
• Theories of the press
• Free flow of information
• International traffic in media content
• Global news flow
• International news agencies
• Trans-border data flow
• International (tele) communication technology
• International (tele) communication policy and regulation
• Cross-cultural media receptions studies
• Globalization

Hamid Mowlana stated four key interrelated approaches to international communication

1. idealistic-humanistic
2. proselytization
3. economic
4. the political^[2]

One of the most obvious manifestations of international communication are world news, when the media of one country cover news from abroad. But, apart from journalism, international communication also occurs in other areas (culture, technology, sciences) and the nature of the "information" that is circulated can be classified in a wide variety of categories, such as cultural (music, films, sports, TV shows from one country to another), scientific (research papers published abroad, scientific exchange or cooperation), and intelligence (diplomacy reports, international espionage, etc.).

Typically the study of international communication includes a deep attention to the circulation of news among different countries (and the resulting imbalances, from which came the concept of news flow), the power of media organizations (such as conglomerates and news agencies), issues such as cultural imperialism and media imperialism, and the political role that international cooperation can have in enhancing the media industry (and society as a whole) in a given region, such as proposed by development communication or communication for development.

Some renowned scholars in international communication include Wilbur Schramm, Ithiel de Sola Pool, Johan Galtung, Anthony Smith, Robert Stevenson, Jeremy Tunstall, Armand Mattelart, Oliver Boyd-Barrett, Ali Mohammadi, Annabelle Sreberny, Cees J. Hamelink, Daya Kishan Thussu and Chris Paterson. Journals in this field include International Communication Gazette, the Journal of International Communication and Language Problems and Language Planning.

Development

The Second World War was a catalyst for international communication. Analytical tools for communications research are used to mobilize domestic public support for war, to understand enemy propaganda, and to develop psychological warfare techniques to influence the morale and opinions of allies and enemies.^[26] The Rockefeller Foundation convened and funded a communications seminar every month from 1939 to 1940 years at the New York headquarters. The initial purpose was to bring together leading scholars interested in communication to provide theoretical guidance for future communication studies, including Lasswell and Lazarsfeld. When the United States entered the war at the end of 1941, with the outbreak of the European economic crisis, communication research became an important factor in discussing government policies.^[27]

Communication Technology development

Media development can be said to be independent media created by private interventions during the transition period through international intervention.^[28][29] Even before the emergence of technology, communication has been at the forefront of relationship building and business development. Today, newer advancements like texting and messaging apps have allowed for even more efficient international communication.^[30]

New Media: Internet and Wireless Communication.

International communication development

In the 1980s and 1990s, with the establishment and development of fiberoptic cables, satellites and the Internet, and the gradual proliferation are eroding space and time barriers and increasing speed, and reducing the cost of transmitting various information. This trend has pushed international communication to globalization.^[31][32]

See also

• Intercultural communication
• Interlinguistics
• International student
• Mediated cross-border communication
• World news
• Language professional
• New world information and communication order
• MacBride report
• Global network
• Global digital divide

References

1. Fortner, R. S. (1993). International communication: History, conflict, and control of the global metropolis. Wadsworth Pub. Co. pp. 6. ISBN 9780534190927.
2. Thussu, D. K. (2006). International Communication: Continuity and Change. London: Hodder Education.
3. Fortner, R. S. (1993). International communication: History, conflict, and control of the global metropolis. Wadsworth Pub. Co. pp. 1. ISBN 9780534190927.
4. Innis, H. (1972). Empire and communications. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. pp. 9.
5. Lewis, S. (1996). News and society in the Greek pols. London: Duck worth.
6. Voltmeter, Ingrid. "International Communication Theory in Transition: Parameters of the New Global Public Sphere". Retrieved 23 November 2012.
7. "Morse Code & The Telegraph". History. June 2019.
8. Cater & Lew (12 July 2006). "The telegraph, co-ordination of tramp shipping, and growth in world trade, 1870–1910" (PDF). European Review of Economic History. 10 (2): 147–173. doi:10.1017/S1361491606001663 – via Cambridge University.
9. Thussu, D.K. (2006). International Communication: Continuity and Change. London: Hodder Education. p. 7.
10. Bielsa, Esperança (2008). "The pivotal role of news agencies in the context of globalization: a historical approach". Global Networks. 8 (3): 347–366. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0374.2008.00199.x.
11. "news agency: Evolution of News Agencies". InfoPlease. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
12. Risso, Linda (2013). "Radio Wars: Broadcasting in the Cold War". Cold War History. 13 (2): 145–152. doi:10.1080/14682745.2012.757134. S2CID 154489230.
13. Hansen, Lauren. "The Cold War's ghostly radio broadcasts". The Week.
14. Steeves, Leslie (7 February 2006). "The role of radio in the Rwandan genocide". Journal of Communication. 48 (3): 107–128. doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.1998.tb02762.x.
15. "Rwanda radio transcripts". Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies.
16. Thussu, D.K. (2006). International Communication: Continuity and Change. Hodder Education. p. 224.
17. Griffith, David (2002). "The role of communication competencies in international business relationship development". Journal of World Business. 37 (4): 256–265. doi:10.1016/S1090-9516(02)00092-5.
18. Gibson, Robert. "Intercultural Business Communication". Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 16 November 2014
19. Gibson, Robert. "Intercultural Business Communication". Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
20. Storey, Douglas. "International Communication". Journalism Quarterly. ProQuest 216913937. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
21. Hasse, Lizbeth (1990). "Finding a Basis for International Communications Law: The Satellite Broadcast Example". Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law. 22 (1).
22. Stevenson, R. (1992). "Defining international communication as a field". Journalism Quarterly. 69 (3): 543–553. doi:10.1177/107769909206900302. S2CID 145019617.
23. Peters, J. (1993). "Genealogical notes on "the field"". Journal of Communication. 43 (4): 132–139. doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.1993.tb01313.x.
24. Downing, John D. H. "International Communication". The International Encyclopedia of Communication. Blackwell Publishing. Retrieved 21 November 2012.^{[permanent dead link]}
25. Semati, Mehdi (2004). New Frontiers in International Communication Theory. Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 2–3.
26. Braman, Sandra (October 1994). "Christopher Simpson, Science of Coercion: Communication Research and Psychological Warfare, 1945-1960. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. 204 pp. Cloth, $29.95". American Journalism. 11 (4): 382–383. doi:10.1080/08821127.1994.10731681. ISSN 0882-1127.
27. "<bold>Communication Strategies for Family Planning</bold>. By Everett M. Rogers. New York: Free Press, 1973. 451 pp. $12.95". Social Work. November 1974. doi:10.1093/sw/19.6.754. ISSN 1545-6846.
28. Berger, Guy (19 October 2010). "Problematizing 'media development' as a bandwagon gets rolling". International Communication Gazette. 72 (7): 547–565. doi:10.1177/1748048510378143. ISSN 1748-0485. S2CID 145698743.
29. "Sustaining Independent Media: Case Studies in Media Firms and Assistance Providers", Exporting Press Freedom, Routledge, 12 July 2017, pp. 223–272, doi:10.4324/9780203792483-6, ISBN 9780203792483
30. "The Evolution of Communication Technology". IT Business Edge. 25 March 2016.
31. Gilbert, John A. (1 December 1987). "Development of Fiber Optic Systems for Recording and Transmitting Holographic Information". Fort Belvoir, VA. doi:10.21236/ada189406. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
32. Webster, Professor Frank (28 September 1995). Theories of the Information Society. doi:10.4324/9780203991367. ISBN 9780203991367.

External links

• French country code and all area country codes. (in French)
• International Communication Forum
• Journal of International Communication
• International Communication Theory in Transition: Parameters of the New Global Public Sphere (article by Ingrid Volkmer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology