Compare the early histories of electronic media in the United States, United Kingdom, India, and Mexico. What sorts of policies were instrumental in shaping the trajectories of broadcasting in these countries?
Who were the most important actors, institutions, and government policies behind the development of radio broadcasting?
Why was the new medium of radio considered potentially valuable? What concerns did elites express about radio broadcasting and how did that affect its development as a national medium?
In what ways were class and state interests woven into the development of radio institutions and practices? Be sure to highlight the ways in which these broadcasting systems evolved according to different paradigms (commercial, public service), as suggested by Michele Hilmes.
For example, consider ways in which the British public service paradigm distinguished itself from the commercial paradigm of the United States. How, in turn, did the British model influence the development of Indian radio? Also compare Indian and Mexican broadcasting:
In what ways were they similar/different? How did India’s experience with British colonialism and Mexico’s dependent relationship with the US influence the development of radio institutions and programming in these countries?
In other words, demonstrate the ways in which these countries had similar but also distinctive experiences with the development of electronic media by comparing the policies and paradigms that drove their development. Be sure to refer to relevant lecture materials as well as the writings of Streeter, Hilmes, Jeffrey, and Hayes.
