Mass media and globalisation: ?Destruction or reconstruction of cultural identities?

The discussion about identity and the globalisation of communications often leads to prejudices and fears about cultural catastrophes and societies fragmented by the supposedly wicked influence of the media. Traditional ways of life seem threatened by new perceptions, languages, and sensibilities. This article therefore outlines the main characteristics of the relationship between identity, culture, and globalisation from the perspective of the mass media, in order to analyse its impact more adequately.