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Interview with keynote speaker Jan Nederveen Pieterse

Last Updated (Monday, 14 July 2008 16:11) Written by André Spínola Monday, 16 June 2008 11:04

Teaching global sociology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign, Jan Nederveen Pieterse specializes in globalization, development studies and cultural studies.

Andre Spínola - As a keynote speaker and a globalization researcher, we imagine that this year's conference subject is rather relevant to your work. Thus what will be your approach when it comes to the theme of the
congress, media and global divides?

Jan Nederveen Pieterse - Moving to the US a week after 9/11 I experienced the power of media firsthand. The American media were deferent and directly responsible for the atmosphere of political docility that enabled the Iraq war. This is well known by now and has somewhat sobered, yet the main trends continue: relying almost exclusively on official sources, no questioning of authority, lazy media following clichés, media as a game of mirrors (media following media), ignoring social movements, etc. Recently it emerged that the ‘retired generals’ that accompanied Iraq and Afghanistan war reporting were all close to the Pentagon and almost all involved in defense contracts. How surprising. US media followed Huntington’s clash of civilizations as a matrix to interpret 9/11. This simply lingers on (along the lines of Islam equals violent religion, etc.). The Danish cartoons mocking Islam in the Jyllands-Posten are another instance of media staking global divides (which I discuss in a chapter in my book Global Multiculture).The divides that media sustain or manufacture are not simply laziness or commercialism but may also reflect distinct political interests. American policy in the Middle East is a case in point. Since globalization is ‘mediated’ and the media are commercial, political and cultural circuits, globalization is segmented and not a smooth space or ‘flat world’. One of the operative principles is garbage in, garbage out. Remedy: read newspapers from outside the country where one lives. I discuss media in my book Is there hope for Uncle Sam? (London, Zed, 2008). The subtitle Beyond the American bubble refers to the role of media in sustaining American narcissism and ignorance about the world. Also the best American media are narrow and self preoccupied.

AS - In which way do you believe IAMCR can contribute to the constitution of a more equal, even and globalised media/world?

JNP - By organizing quality conferences and recognizing serious, high quality scholarship and appreciating unconventional approaches. In media what is probably most deadly is herd behavior.

AS - . While in Stockholm, what would you like to see in, or find out about the city?

JNP - Summer in Scandinavia is underestimated. Stockholm in July is gorgeous, even if the jazz festival is over.

AS - As I happened to know that you have already been to Stockholm what made the strongest impression on you? For those who are coming for the first time to the city, what would rank as unmissable? What have you seen here, if anything, that would make this city distinguishable among others you have visited?

JNP - Nice café life and please tell us more.

By: André Spínola