The psycho-cultural infrastructure of the Maltese mediascape from the perspective of Mcluhan, Ong and Innis

Abstract

The theories put forward by McLuhan particularly when discussed in the context of Ong and Innis provide valid tools for the analyses of culture and society. McLuhan鈥檚 reflection starts from the physical characteristics of a particular medium showing how these characteristic are translated into perceptual changes which later take on a cultural dimension. For example he argues that the characteristics of the electronic media bring about a new electronic interdependence and convergence which would seem to render individualism obsolete and the corporate interdependence mandatory (McLuhan, 1962). The spirit of interdependence and convergence of these theories inspires the basis of this paper. A particular mediascape, Malta, is analysed by bringing together the insights of three thinkers in the area of communication studies: Marshal H. McLuhan, Harold A. Innis and Walter Ong. This triadic synergy contributes to a better understanding of this mediascape by bringing together the visions of these three great scholars.