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• The global economy, e-commerce
• Digital communication companies and media ownership
• Patterns of communication, media ownership and control
• Private (commercial) media, government-owned or controlled media, and public media organizations, e.g., public broadcasting systems
• Community media and digital projects
• Technology convergence (mass media, digital communication companies telecommunications and computers) and the emergence of media and digital communication companies conglomerates
• Transnationalization (global media and digital communication corporations)
• International and national protocols on media ownership and antitrust laws
• Media and digital communication companies ownership, content development and programming
• Foreign content vs. local content
• Information as a social (public) product vs. as a paid-for commodity
• Ratings and circulation figures as gauges for media products and services
• Consumerist culture (audience needs vs. wants and desires)
• Strategies and approaches in commoditizing information
• Intellectual property rights and public-domain information (See Module 3)
• Copyright and other proprietary information rights (See Module 3)
• Public domain information
• Free and open-source software (and Creative Commons)

A light-touch regulation has encouraged the growth of global media and digital communication companies, referred to as transnational media or digital conglomerates. Their power and influence extend over geographic, economic, and political barriers. Global media and digital communication companies include those that operate at the regional level. Convergence, despite antitrust regulations, has also facilitated media mergers and acquisitions at the national and global level. Many mass media organizations are establishing alliances with companies doing business in telecommunications, web applications and entertainment (movies and video games), etc. The new companies created by these coalitions have become more powerful as their messages, images and voices can now be transmitted globally and reach even the remotest villages through diverse platforms – print, broadcast and digital.

The emergence of global media and digital communication presents both challenges and opportunities. Some communication scholars have warned of threats of cultural homogeneity, but the same media tools offer opportunities for cultural diversity and pluralism (i.e. it is now easier to produce, share, and exchange local media content). The global media also have the capability and resources to set higher standards of professionalism. Consequently, many local media outlets are forced to become more competitive by improving the quality of their programming. Moreover, development issues that have a worldwide impact, such as climate change, pandemics, or threats to biodiversity, can be effectively communicated by the global media. It is also acknowledged that many stories hidden from local and national audiences due to politico-economic constraints, are revealed to a worldwide audience by independent global media. The global digital companies have the financial resources to pay for content moderation and network security, notwithstanding the challenges of massive scale (which in turn are a function of the very size and profitable expansion of the companies themselves).

The impact of media and digital communication industries on the political setting is also changing. With new media technologies, there is now a greater two-way flow of information within and outside national boundaries, as well as broader platforms for public discourse. All these cultivate tolerance and understanding but also enable cross-border international operations. The paramount issue is: How can the media and digital communication help promote a wider range of options, choices and freedom? The prevailing commercial media and digital systems deserves particular attention because advertising remains its main source of revenue. How can media organizations keep their independence and the public's trust, while remaining viable (profitable) and sustainable (in terms of operations)? The impact of overemphasizing either factor should be considered.

Monopolistic ownership of the media, like state control, can pose a significant threat to media diversity and pluralism, and therefore to freedom of expression. Competition regulation is an important part of restricting monopolies as is the professionalism and independence of journalism. Diversity of viewpoints is also helped by a variety of forms of ownership (public, private and not-for-proft), as well as by the availability of different types of media (print, radio, television, Internet, etc.). The same principles apply to digital communications companies which can hold news media hostage and work against small competitors.

For discussion: the widest possible dissemination of information from diverse and pluralistic sources is essential to democracy and development choices. While separately-owned newspapers and broadcasters generally criticize each other’s content, the concentration of media under common ownership may prevent any kind of mutual criticism and result instead in self-promotion.