Politics, Culture and Media: Neo-Ottomanism as a Transnational Cultural Policy on TRT El Arabia and TRT Avaz

This article examines the ways in which Turkish Radio and Television Institution (TRT), as the public service broadcaster of Turkey, has been mobilized by the Justice and Development Party (JDP) to contribute to the dissemination of a neo-Ottomanist discourse in the neighboring geographies. Our focus is on two expansions of TRT, namely TRT Avaz and TRT El Arabia, that aim at reaching markets outside the national borders of Turkey. Our interest here lies in three intersecting phenomena. One is the notion of neo-Ottomanism and its deployment as a cultural policy geared towards a market of transnational viewers. The other is the digitalization of broadcasting and the recent transformations in the global media spheres that allow for alternate cosmopolitan media cultures. Finally, we are concerned with the transformation of TRT’s role, from initially being a ‘nationalizing’ and ‘internationalizing’ institution to later being transformed into a ‘transnational’ apparatus of the JDP government. We argue that the transnationalisation of TRT has become possible under the historical coincidence of the revival of neo-Ottomanism and the transformations in the global media environment. We conclude by suggesting that in line with JDP government’s neo-Ottomanist discourse, TRT now works towards fostering a transnational communality around the notions of Ottoman culture and Ottoman morals among Arab speaking and Islamic populations

Effectiveness of Information and Communication Technologies in Promoting and Disseminating Information to Users at the Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

This study mainly investigated the effectiveness of Information and Communication Technologies in promoting and disseminating information to users at the Museum and House of Culture (MHC). Spesifically, the study sought to identify information and communication channels used, examine the application of ICT in online and onsite museum services and the patterns of ICT use, and to determine the challenges faced in applying ICT in promoting and disseminating information to the users. The sample size consisted of 72 respondents (48 staf fand 24 museum users). Data for this study were collected using documentary review, questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussion and observation. Whereas quantitative data were analysed using SPSS qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The study findings revealed that MHC uses various channels of communication and that electronic and computerised communication channels were preferred by the majority of the respondents. The challenges to effective utilisation of ICT at the Museum included inadequate skills, inadequate funds, technological obsolescence and technophobia among staff. The study concludes that, although MHC uses various channels of communication and different ICTs in its operations, communication links at the MHC have a lot of weaknesses and challenges. Thus, the study recommends the formulation of the Museum Information and ICT Policy to have in place a staff development plan in addition to increasing public awareness on museum potentiality.Key words: ICT Application in Museums, Museums, Tanzani

Invest to Save: Report and Recommendations of the NSF-DELOS Working Group on Digital Archiving and Preservation

Digital archiving and preservation are important areas for research and development, but there is no agreed upon set of priorities or coherent plan for research in this area. Research projects in this area tend to be small and driven by particular institutional problems or concerns. As a consequence, proposed solutions from experimental projects and prototypes tend not to scale to millions of digital objects, nor do the results from disparate projects readily build on each other. It is also unclear whether it is worthwhile to seek general solutions or whether different strategies are needed for different types of digital objects and collections. The lack of coordination in both research and development means that there are some areas where researchers are reinventing the wheel while other areas are neglected. Digital archiving and preservation is an area that will benefit from an exercise in analysis, priority setting, and planning for future research. The WG aims to survey current research activities, identify gaps, and develop a white paper proposing future research directions in the area of digital preservation. Some of the potential areas for research include repository architectures and inter-operability among digital archives; automated tools for capture, ingest, and normalization of digital objects; and harmonization of preservation formats and metadata. There can also be opportunities for development of commercial products in the areas of mass storage systems, repositories and repository management systems, and data management software and tools.

Museums as tools for sustainable community development : a study of four archaeological museums in northern Peru

Funding: This research received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under grant agreement No. 693669.A new way of defining and managing museums has emerged in the 21st century, with local communities at the heart of the equation. At the same time, communities have become aware of the political and symbolic importance of working with and being represented by museums: not only can such collaborations strengthen local identities and political power, but it can also enable communities to benefit from the potential of museums to attract resources derived from tourism. Within this framework, the team at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru is participating in the EU-LAC Museums project. As part of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Programme, the initiative aims to develop community museums, foster links between museums and their communities and carry out projects that strengthen local heritage. The Peruvian team developed its proposal in four community-centred archaeological museums on Peru’s northern coast: the Chan Chan and Huacas de Moche site museums in the region of La Libertad, and the Túcume and Sicán museums in the Lambayeque regions. The project’s objectives are to identify how these museums involve local communities, and the role they play in the social, educational and economic development of surrounding territories. Once identified, the project’s actions aimed to consolidate and strengthen these different forms of interrelation, which encourage sustainability, regional integration, education and the use of technologies. To account properly for the vulnerability of local populations amid catastrophic floods caused by the El Niño phenomenon, it was crucial to apply a territorial perspective. This chapter presents the different experiences and actions carried out in the ‘Peru Case Study’ of the EU-LAC Museums project, highlighting the current impact of four local museums. It also promotes the active participation of the institutions and their communities in the future, using a model of joint heritage management that contributes to local sustainable development.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Museums as tools for sustainable community development : four archaeological museums in northern Peru

Understanding museums as tools for sustainable community development is one of the priorities of the international research project EU-LAC-MUSEUMS (2016-2020). This ambitious project has been explicitly designed in response to the European Union Horizon 2020 Work Programme call INT 12 (2015), ‘the cultural, scientific and social dimension of EU-LAC relations’. The project seeks to carry out a comparative analysis of small and medium-sized rural museums and their communities in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU and LAC), and to develop associated history and theory. By researching state-of-the-art initiatives in museums and community empowerment, and then moving beyond these initiatives to implement actions in partner countries, our aim has been both to transform individual lives within museum communities, and to create a method of implementation and evaluation that will be applicable to wider regions.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Exploring Private Radio Broadcasting Strategies in the Digital Age

The landscape of private radio broadcasting has changed significantly in recent years, requiring specific strategies to reach audiences effectively. Unlike the challenges faced by private broadcasting a decade or two ago, contemporary private radio stations can no longer rely solely on the traditional listener model. Instead, they should adapt and improve their radio management practices by leveraging media convergence and technology. This research aims to investigate how private radio broadcasters can leverage digital technology to improve their content delivery. In particular, the study explores the concepts of cooperative communication and hyperlocal media as potential strategies for private radio broadcasting in the digital age. This study aims to examine the role of digital technology in the evolution of private radio broadcasting, explore the concept of cooperative communication and its relevance to private radio broadcasting strategies and examine the potential of hyperlocal media as a private radio broadcasting strategy in the digital age. This research uses a qualitative approach to gain deep insight into the development of Radio Kotaperak Yogyakarta. Information about the experience and strategies carried out by Radio Kotaperak was obtained by conducting interviews with Radio Kotaperak personnel. Qualitative data collected through interviews will be analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes and patterns emerging from the discussion. This research aims to highlight the growing role of private radio broadcasting and the strategies it employs in the digital age. By focusing on the case study of Radio Kotaperak Yogyakarta and exploring the concepts of cooperative communication and hyperlocal media, this study seeks to contribute to the existing literature on private radio broadcasting. The qualitative approach, which involves interviews with Radio Kotaperak personnel, will provide rich and nuanced insights into their experiences and strategies. The main objective is to generate recommendations and practical implications that can improve the effectiveness of private radio broadcasters' digital strategies. Through the dissemination of research findings in international journals, this research aims to have a meaningful impact in the field of media studies

Embodied Tuning: Interfacing Danish Radio Heritage

Most museum exhibitions favor vision, not hearing. When there is audio in exhibitions, it tends to take on a secondary role as a soundtrack or commentary. In some cases, however, audio should be the primary object of interest. Radio heritage is such a case. The traditional way of showcasing audio is through webaccessible archives or through listening kiosks in the exhibition. Neither one takes advantage of the unique affordances of the spatiality and physicality of an exhibition. We therefore propose an alternative way of exhibiting radio heritage in a listening exhibition where users move around and explore the physical gallery space. We implemented a simple, low-cost prototype system called Exaudimus, allowing users to search for the audio streams using their own bodies as a metaphorical radio-tuning dial. We tested the concept in a public exhibition at the Media Museum in Denmark. A small, qualitative user study conducted during the exhibition shows promise for this type of immersive experience. The users, however, tended to perceive it as

Preliminary Investigation Into The Benefits From Investments In Environmental Research: Case Studies on Water Clarity/Quality and The Biological Management of Possums

MoRST is performing an evaluation of the funds invested in environmental research. The two case studies discussed in this paper contribute to the ongoing decision-making about this investment. Substantial funds have been invested in both research programmes identified. Because the main benefits associated with research output are environmental, they are difficult to value monetarily. Preliminary analysis suggests that at a discount rate of 6%, annual future benefit flows of $7 -$10 million will justify the water quality/clarity research. The expenditure on possum biocontrol will be justified if the research generates an annual future benefit flow of $20 million.Cost benefit analysis, returns to research, environmental research, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Parts of Sound: Possibilities of Listening Historically to Collection, Broadcast, and Exhibition

Senior Project submitted to The Division of Social Studies of Bard College

International Broadcasting as a Tool of International Diplomacy

This paper focused on international broadcasting as a tool of international diplomacy. The study used descriptive analysis and source material from existing secondary sources.  It is discovered that old and new entrants into international broadcasting are using it as tool of international diplomacy in the following ways: as image enhancer, propaganda, cultural transmission, protection of former colonies, information channels to nationals in Diaspora and others. The paper recommended that diplomacy in 21st century should be improved upon in Nigeria by upgrading the nation’s satellite communication system. Keywords: Diplomacy, Tool, International Broadcasting and Cultur