(3) BUILDING CIVILITY AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP THROUGH SHARED VALUES

Abstract

Technological advancement is diminishing time and space distances, rubbing the boundaries and contributing towards increased interconnectedness. Nobody can stop this phenomenon. The idea of Ferdinand Tonnies about the transformation of societies from Gemeinschaft to Gesellschaft is reverting back to Gemeinschaft owing to information technology. However, in the absence of common values the idea of Gemeinschaft poses a danger of conflicts and clashes to the wired globe. Information technology and new media has empowered audience (receivers of mass media content) as producers of media content, therefore the concept of ‘audience’ has undergone a drastic change.  However, surmounting physical distances appears meaningless without shared values. Values also stem from religions that not only build civility but also level the way to global citizenship.  There is a dire need to promote respect, tolerance, compassion, love for humanity in order to peacefully live together. In this regard media can play a pivotal role through shared values of religions in order to build civility and global citizenship.