International Communications Blog

Dan Santos

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Interrupting International Media in Africa

http://www.euronews.com/2016/11/21/media-conflicts-domestic-and-international-media-threatened-in-central-africa

A recent Euronews article reports on the worsening situation in Burundi, where within the past year, hundreds of protestors have been killed along with six independent media outlets being shut down. This crisis erupted when President Nkurunziza decided to run for a third term. Within the country, many of the radio stations and other media outlets that were established were set up with the support of the international community with the aim of contributing to peace building and reconciliation within the ravaged areas. But throughout the region, even international media teams have become the target of terminations, with new laws being put into place that require foreign firms to form partnerships with existing local outlets. 

Often, this has been the work of the government in disrupting the traditional role international media can play in uncovering corruption and deceit among pubic officials. By disrupting international communication outlets, they can bring money and a sense of false credibility to the government, and countries within the EU will continue to offer aid. Especially within an international scope, the overall situation serves to emphasize the importance of the watchdog nature of journalism. With the advent of social media, it has also become much easier to raise awareness for such causes. But at the same time, the situation goes on to reflect the presence of a digital divide. In impoverished regions where governments are oppressing international journalists, international communications systems are unable to bring the world together, creating a divide from our first world privilege.

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Facebook, Fake News, & the Radical Right

https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/the-far-right-is-a-meme?utm_term=.imzOZKBPLK#.ia6Mm1VJd1

A recent Buzzfeed article raises questions about the role Facebook has played in creating a misinformed global public, especially within the wake of the outcome of the U.S. Presidential election. Just a few days ago, Facebook and Google both strengthened their stance against ads and sites that show misleading or illegal content, often in the form of fake news sites. Often, such sources go viral upon newsfeeds and even attract more attention than legitimate news sites. Although CEO Mark Zuckerberg has downplayed the role the social media giant has played in impacting the outcome of elections and global information as a whole, it is clear that various issues need to be addressed with recent criticism rising due to the rise of a radical right agenda in various countries. This is happening in Britain where the far-right UK independence party gained enough votes to become a dominant player on the political scene. In France, the National Front has also become a serious political force, with Marine Le Pen vying for the presidency. The same populist, nationalistic agendas are taking root in Austria, Italy, and the Philippines.

The question arises as to whether Facebook has a role in suppressing this hate speech and manipulative information often present on social media. While many point to the private company’s role in taking such stances, other point to the role of multinational governments in placing limits on hateful speech on these communication platforms, a firm stance that Germany has taken in recent years. 

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Shock and Outrage Trump Celebration

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-37924701

The November 9th edition of BBC World News analyzes the international media’s responses to Donald Trump’s unprecedented victory in the United States’ presidential election. The shock and outrage shared by publications in the United States, including the New York Times and the Washington Post, was equally matched by criticisms of Trump’s racism and unpredictability in the German Die Welt and French Les Echos publications. Conservative leaning publications in the United States, as well as state-run Russian media celebrated the victory as a “slap to the political elite.” In China, headlines focused on the impact on American global power. And in the Middle East, many publications felt that the result would create little change in a region plagued by instability.

Clearly, these news outlets cater to audiences with different tastes and preferences. Overall, I feel as if the international media failed to do a more comprehensive job possible in reporting the possibility of this outcome. Throughout the week, the focus remained on how Trump was a major underdog, help creating a sense of shock at the outcome and less of a sense of urgency. I have never encountered a more despondent media response to an electoral outcome. Even comparisons to Brexit fail to capture the fear and anxiety that have been present throughout the country. One can only hope that the international media can serve as an outlet to help heal such wounds and as a medium for those to continue to fight for the rights and ideals they hold dear.  

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The Affluent’s Advantage in China

http://www.campaignasia.com/article/chinese-affluent-keen-consumers-of-international-media-ipsos/431178 A recent Campaign Asia article highlights the affluent Chinese consumer’s ability to continue to access international media content despite the restrictions placed by the government. The study detailed consumptions habits and media brand preferences of four key segments of the affluent Asian population. It puts the combined reach for foreign media channels at 45%, with CNN, BBC, and Bloomberg being the most popular networks. Although accessing this information via cable television is much less common, these consumers are still able to make such pursuits through digital mediums. And although many local editions of The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal are readily available, experts argue that the original versions are much more important to allow users to access a credible international source. 

As a whole, this article again points to the resources available to the affluent to access media and leverage technological resources. It mentions that foreign media companies only have full landing rights in the Guangdong province, as well as certain hotels and foreign residential areas. Those of more modest means in any community are less likely to build a broader and more accurate perspective on international news. It is obviously different in an area where media censorship exists, but as a whole, the same argument can be made in certain regions throughout the United States and beyond. The affluent are more likely to pay for premium content and subscriptions, and as a whole, are better off differentiating fact from fiction and bias within news sources. 

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The Damaged American Brand Abroad

http://www.salon.com/2016/10/25/from-the-outside-looking-in-how-the-international-media-is-reacting-to-the-2016-election_partner/

A recent conversation piece in Salon magazine discusses the potential influence international media coverage can have on America’s soft power and reputation abroad. An overall analysis from a Media Monitoring System is provided which describes the styles used to convey developments within the American election cycle internationally. In China, for example, much of the emphasis is placed on the weaknesses of two presidential candidates, denigrating Clinton’s e-mail controversy, as well as Trump’s sexual harassment allegations. Overall, Chinese journalists are able to paint a picture of the United States as a dwindling world power. Russian media has been prone to displaying a pro-Trump bias in recent headlines, portraying Americans as a divided people lacking a strong leader. In Arab circles, Clinton is presented as a more preferable candidate. However, as a whole, their portrayal of Trump as an incompetent, bigoted demagogue supports their criticisms of the effectiveness of Western democracy.

As a whole, this effect from international communications serves as a contrast to the United States’ prior use of using media structures and infrastructure as a medium to spread democracy, aid development, and promote our values in certain parts of the world. The article demonstrates the extensive role international communications can have in undermining our country’s perception in other parts of the world, especially in matters regarding the rule of law and human rights. The international media’s amplification of the flaws of our democracy serves as a distinct challenge to American primacy, creating further divides with our some of our enemies.

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The Digital Divide in China

http://www.sixthtone.com/news/digital-divide-does-web-only-benefit-china%E2%80%99s-urban-rich Li You’s Sixth Tone article discusses a prominent news anchor’s criticism of the role the Internet has played in widening the gap between rich and poor communities. Bai Yansong posed many of these questions at an e-commerce conference in China last week. One study pointed out that the spread of e-commerce has hurt brick-and-mortar stores. Others opposed Yansong’s ideas, pointing to examples of the internet transforming people’s lives in rural areas.

This debate is inextricably linked to the content covered in class, pointing to the role of international communications in either uniting or dividing society. Papacharissi and Yuan critiqued the traditional alignment of the internet to capitalist perspectives as a liberalizing force. Yet, I would agree with an analysis that the internet does look to widen the gap between many rich and poor or urban and rural communities in the short-term, and much of this depends on external influences impacting specific regions. Just as our capitalist system has inherent shortcomings, which can create economic turmoil when regulations aren’t in place, the internet and international media can be viewed within the same scope. If rural areas do not have the infrastructure and if the elderly and uneducated do not have access to sufficient training and awareness programs, further divides are created. Often, there are various other ways to assist such underdeveloped communities, such as providing food and natural resources and building sustainable infrastructure. Introducing e-commerce can look to further develop the urban hubs a majority of these companies operate out of.

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The Success of the Swedish Number

http://nordic.businessinsider.com/this-guys-briliant-campaign-this-guys-brilliant-campaign-got-sweden-$147-million-worth-of-free-international-promotion-2016-10/ Bjorn Wallenberg’s Business Insider article provides a comprehensive look into one of the most successful international advertising campaigns of 2016. The Swedish Number was a hotline campaign set up to connect any individual who called to a random Swede willing to discuss any topic of conversation. The plan, running from April to the summer, was developed by PR-Firm INGO on behalf of the Swedish Tourist Association to celebrate the anniversary of Sweden becoming the first country to constitutionally prohibit censorship. By the end of the campaign, the plan was said to have generated $147 million in free international media coverage, with news and media outlets from the United States and beyond calling in to discuss the concept.

I feel as if the story certainly reflects the importance of developing innovative, diverse media campaigns on the global stage. It becomes easy for advertising firms and companies to develop the standard marketing model, utilizing social media, running print advertisements in global publications, and building interactive websites. But continuing to use the same processes can lead to stagnant results. Without building some form of differentiation strategy, firms fail to reach global markets. The concept even received praise from President Obama in a speech.

Aside from being an effective tool for firms, the campaign also reveals how international communication systems can be used to build understanding and comradery among nations and cultures. Such systems can play a role in building agreement among global citizens on issues like climate change, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian aid.

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Shimon Peres & Social Media

http://www.wsj.com/articles/in-his-90s-shimon-peres-became-social-media-star-1475078534              

This week, foreign officials from across the world took to their respective media outlets to celebrate the life of former Israeli President Shimon Peres. Often hailed as a founding father of Israeli politics, the former Nobel Prize winner’s life was celebrated in multiple countries, as a man who called for a peaceful coexistence with Palestine. Rory Jones’s Wall Street Journal article specifically points out Peres’s extensive use of social media in his latest years as an outlet to advocate for his causes across the globe. His ability to overcome a generational gap and bridge a digital age divide was a testament to the man’s understanding of social media’s influence. Such an issue is a reflection of the way our generation specifically uses social media as a major news source. He specifically posted videos encouraging students to take up math and science, as well as pushing for Israelis to buy homegrown products.

But this certainly wouldn’t be the first time social media has played a role in advocating for international causes and raising awareness for key global issues. In the midst of terror attacks and natural disasters, social media serves as one of the primary vehicles individuals turn to build support groups and even check for the safety of loved ones. World leaders like Peres have recognized social media’s role in shaping some of the key foreign policy issues of our generation, such as the Arab Spring, where Tunisians and Egyptians planted the seeds for their revolution within Facebook groups and Twitter accounts.

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The Power of 140 Characters

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/22/watch-why-social-media-is-donald-trumps-most-powerful-weapon/ Keely Lockhart’s September 2016 piece from The Guardian sheds some light on the role social media has played in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Race. The article and accompanying video argue that social media has helped facilitate the rise of Donald Trump as a major presidential candidate, essentially creating $3.4 billion of free media coverage over the past year. In addition, the article includes a study of which Twitter posts are created by campaign staff and which come directly from Trump himself. His staff seem to film from an iPhone camera, using much less aggressive dialogue, while Trump uses an Android phone, boasting aggressive attacks, which have become some of the most covered posts of this election cycle.

Clearly, the influence of social media in politics has been a growing phenomenon in different parts of the world. At its essence, it speaks to the influence of popular culture on the mind of the average voter. But this piece, coming from a European media outlet, certainly showcases the extent of its influence within the United States. It’s a tool that’s been used by businesses to cover new markets internationally. But it’s also been used by terror networks for recruitment and by other individuals to spread messages of hate.

Thus, such topics relate to an issue of the extent to which the internet should be governed. The fact that sets of 140 characters could potentially influence who becomes the next leader of the free world speaks volumes to social media’s international power.

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The Myth of the Six-Hour Workday

http://www.thelocal.se/20151001/why-sweden-is-a-long-way-from-six-hour-days

Maddy Savage’s article from the Swedish-based outlet The Local sheds some light on how international media can exaggerate and misconstrue key evidence in reporting to their respective home outlets. The article reports on the much discussed Scandinavian six-hour work day. In recent months, a Bright Side video and numerous other news outlets seemed to report that the entire country was formally switching to the work schedule. But in reality, only a few companies and startups have officially instituted the six-hour work day as official policy. A few nursing homes, hospitals, and specifically, Toyota Centers in Gothenburg are all prime examples of the switch.

This whole story serves as a reflection of how international media outlets can feed into cultural stereotypes and preconceived notions. I would argue that something similar happens to American stories spun abroad, helping to feed into the stereotypes of a fast-food loving, gun-clinging population. Rather than reporting on specific details, international media looks to discuss examples on the extreme to garner a larger audience. The practice has become far too common, and the lack of fact-checking within such stories is a disservice to the journalistic profession. Although Sweden has certainly been an epicenter for launching work-life balance initiatives, most experts make it clear that the nation’s economy and finances would crumble if every employer made such as switch. In fact, during my semester abroad in Stockholm, Sweden, I noticed numerous tech employees working late into the night, constantly being bombarded by e-mails even after their shifts.

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Donald Trump’s Interview to Russian TV

http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/08/politics/russia-television-donald-trump-interview/

This article discusses Donald Trump’s decision to conduct an interview with a Kremlin-funded news outlet. In recent months, Trump has been criticized for his laudatory praises for Russian leader Vladimir Putin, which makes his decision to agree to an interview surprising. Trump asserts his belief that Russian forces are unlikely to be trying to influence the state of the American race. Later, his spokesperson claims the interview would not have been conducted had Trump known that it would’ve been released through Russian Today, the state-backed media. 

As a whole, the situation reflects the increasingly globalized nature of political communications and the role of the media in shaping foreign policy. Trump’s decision to speak with a Russian media source reflects his policy stances on looking to work more closely with Russia, despite heavy criticism. Such a decision to speak with a rival international media source could influence public perception in the coming months. 

In addition, the story is a prime example of how governments can use the media as a propaganda tool. The fact that a major American party’s presidential candidate likely agreed to such an arrangement says a lot about the growing influence of such news sources. As a whole, Russia Today has been used to improve Russia’s image abroad. And Trump’s statements regarding the role of Russian officials in the American presidential race certainly reflect such a sentiment. The media is certainly a powerful tool that foreign governments can use to their advantage. 

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Rodrigo Duterte’s Criticism of International Media Coverage

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/08/29/1618449/duterte-negative-reports-international-media-i-dont-care

Alexis Romero’s article in The Philippine Star discusses Rodrigo Duterte’s backlash at the international media for their coverage of the thousands of extrajudicial killings of drug lords under the Filipino President’s watch. The story brings to light various key themes within international communications. One theme that is clearly present is the role of value systems in shaping the way journalists cover stories in foreign countries. Duterte argues that international journalists do not understand the context of various issues in Filipino society, particularly those faced within the urban slums, where a drug trade runs rampant and thousands suffer from dependence. However, I would argue that the media’s criticism is justified. These journalists do not need to be present within the country’s borders to understand and speak out against the clear violation of human rights and the abuse of administrative power, which go against all universal values. A right to justice and due process is a universal issue, and it is an obligation of the profession to bring such stories to light.

Another key theme present in international media coverage of President Duterte is the role of American primacy in shaping such stories. The significant American influence is evident in the constant media comparisons of Duterte to Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump. Although both are known for their unfiltered, controversial rhetoric, they share few policy positions. And often, the comparisons made are stretched to garner a wider audience. Yet, the international media consistently looks to spin such stories from an American perspective.

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International Media Coverage of the Ryan Lochte Scandal

http://theundefeated.com/features/dear-fellow-white-people/

Kevin Van Valkenburg’s analysis of the Ryan Lochte scandal provides an interesting perspective on the role race plays in international media coverage. He poses the public’s somewhat tame reaction to Lochte’s fabricated story of being robbed at gunpoint as a clear example of the phenomenon of white privilege. Despite portraying himself as a hero who stood up to local robbers, Lochte had instead been inebriated, vandalizing a gas station and picking a fight with security. He cites the public’s outcry at African-American gymnast Gabby Douglas’s national anthem posture as an example of how different the story would’ve been presented had Ryan Lochte been black.

I would argue, however, that Van Valkenburg’s op-ed unnecessarily brings race into a story that says much more about the cultural issue of the so-called “Ugly American” tourist. Similar media stories involving athletes caught in fraud, including minorities like Josh Shaw and Manti Te’o, played out identically to Lochte’s. All stories drew some brief criticism before turning into a running joke and then eventually fading away. The bigger issue at hand involves the athletes’ fulfillment of the American cultural stereotype. Despite being warned of the dangers and corruption present in the region, the Americans instead chose to act reckless and aggressive. This is American privilege, not white privilege.

The story also sheds light on the state of media culture in this day and age, as publications across the world ran Lochte’s version of the story without effective fact-checking to satisfy the money-hungry 24/7 news cycle.