Methodological Framework of WP6

Work Package six analyzes strategic communication as purposefully designed communicational advocacy that is distributed on the behalf of an organization or an institution. Our main research interests is the identification of semantic patterns in strategic content and their potential migration into other discourses – the media coverage, political debates and public discourses - and vice versa. Additionally, we seek to investigate strategic communication’s potential impact on a conflict’s dynamic and, consequently, it’s potential for de-escalation. Finally, we also apply a gender sensitive approach and analyze the portrayal of gender in strategic communication. To fulfill these objectives, we make use of an innovative multi-step content analytic approach. In a qualitative pilot-study we identified idiosyncrasies within the language used in strategic content. Our sample of strategic communication mainly consists of two groups of texts: (1) contents that simulate journalistic language and, thus, can be labeled PR and (2) messages that often use strongly connoted expressions and can be referred to as propaganda. Within our qualitative pilot study we created rules and guidelines for the identification of semantic patterns – frames, evidential claims and agendas for action – while taking the two groups of texts and its different use of language into account. In our quantitative computer-based content analysis we will use an updated version of the AmCat program called JAmCat to identify frames, agendas for actions and evidential claims in a large corpus of texts. Our main research interest consists of five dimensions. First, (1) we will analyze strategic communication in different countries on a case-based perspective focusing on the content’s idiosyncrasies in different conflict cases. In doing so, we will (2) analyze strategic communication’s narrative in different conflict phases (for example escalation, de-escalation) and examine (3) the construction of similar ideas and semantic patterns over different conflicts, debates and the conflicts’ time frames. We then will (4) compare the contents distributed by different groups of strategic actors. Here, we address the differing perspectives and communicative strategies of different strategic actors and the thus resulting differences within their distributed frames. A central aim of WP6 is a close cooperation with WPs 5, 7, and 8 to (5) examine the diffusion of strategic discourse on the same conflict into different debates – the media coverage, (other) strategic communication, political debates and social media – and thus to also investigate the functional roles of strategic communicators in the shaping of public discourse and their (different) success in enforcing/asserting their particular frames. In our qualitative in-depth analysis, we will enrich the results with more details and provide additional context while focusing on key moments, actors and ideas in the discourses. In doing so we will combine information from the quantitative stage with relevant insight from other work packages also relating to the results of INFOCORE’s interviewing groups and contextual information from the literature

‘Vox Twitterati’: Investigating the effects of social media exemplars in online news articles

There is a growing trend among online news outlets to include Twitter posts as an equivalent to the traditional “vox pop” or “man-on-the-street” interview. Media effects research has documented the ability of vox pops to influence consumer perceptions of news issues within the traditional media environment, but there is limited research on the possible effects that including social media exemplars as vox pops within editorially curated articles might have on issue perceptions. Drawing on the exemplification effects literature to inform the experimental design, we conduct two studies on two topics of either low or high national salience and find strong evidence that vox pop tweets can influence perceptions of public opinion and, indirectly, readers’ own opinions on an issue. Results are discussed in light of implications for journalistic practice, media effects research and the wider democratic process

Factors Influencing Public Perception of Science

Our literature review identified factors influencing public perception of science within the context of science communication. We analyzed 40 studies using an integrative literature review method and found that most research about public perception of science was conducted in developed countries’ contexts. We identified five categories of factors that influence public perception: Type of science, audience beliefs, socio-demographics, source of communication, and environment. We observed the type of science is the fundamental factor that determines the influence of other factors. Audience belief factors are the most influential factor theme. We also noticed that factors act as confounding and/or mediating variables that cannot separate them as a single factor to identify individual influence. To show the factors and their degree of influence on public perception of science, we developed a conceptual framework called the “ring of public perception of science.” The framework highlights the need for a holistic approach to examining the influence of factors affecting public perception of science. The proposed framework is based on a qualitative approach; further research is needed to validate relationships among these factors. Specifically, we recommend further research on context-specific factors because context is important to science communication, emerging environmental factors because of the changing landscape of science communication, and the use of social media to disseminate scientific information

Broadcast Your Past: Analysis of a German Former Right-Wing Extremist’s YouTube Channel for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Crime

Recently, former extremists and offenders have begun providing online initiatives in addition to their offline enterprises (e.g., in-school talks, TV productions, autobiographies). They often present these initiatives as designed to prevent and counter violent extremism and crime. Strikingly, while formers’ online narratives are increasing and usually receive positive coverage, research on them has been limited. This study applied a structure analysis to systematically explore a former right-wing extremist’s YouTube channel as a case study. The analysis was based on the formal channel criteria and 421 videos published between May 2017 and May 2020. This is a full survey during this period. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate this phenomenon. Examining the YouTube channel provides valuable evidence for: (1) a focus on detailed narratives and visualizations from the extremist and criminal past, (2) using YouTube as a business model, and (3) distributing content and behavior that is inappropriate for children and youths (e.g., depicting violence, alcohol consumption, and [e-]cigarette use). The results indicate that such online initiatives’ content and other relevant aspects (e.g., content creators’ self-presentation) require more critical attention and reflection before they, for example, are promoted as suitable tools for young people

Who said that? Impact of source expertise: A generations focused experiment on the perception of radio news sources’ gender, ethos and expertise

Building on previous research exploring effects of spokesperson type and gender on audience perceptions of spokesperson and message credibility, this study focused on effects of news sources specifically for radio news. This was one of the first studies to explore the effects of source type (journalist or outside expert) and gender on perceptions of source and message credibility, and message importance for the general U.S. population. A 2 x 2 experiment was performed with 900 participants, and analysis found that source type and gender had significant impact on audience perceptions of source and the message. We further analyzed these effects breaking down the audience based on generations and gender and found similar results. The results of the analyses reveal some interesting findings, especially in the areas of choice of media for news, sexism in the news, etc., that need to be further explored

MISINFORMATION AS A DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION

The phenomena of misinformation and disinformation have received no shortage of examination from several academic angles, with a noted gap in how and why these phenomena persist and how information disorder may potentially be addressed. This thesis seeks to do just that, establishing a novel framework for examining mis- and disinformation’s booming proliferation throughout the information environment, specifically through digital media channels. The framework’s foundation is rooted in Christensen’s Disruptive Innovation Theory and Rogers’s Diffusion of Innovation Theory, two paradigms appropriated from the business world to explore information as an innovation for sale in the disrupted information marketplace. Through viewing mis- and disinformation through this lens, a better understanding of the nature and prognosis of the phenomena can be reached and potential avenues for mitigation revealed.Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.Lieutenant, United States NavyLieutenant, United States Nav

Television human-puppet talk show: sensationalism, conflict and emotional concerns case study of Abla Fahita Live

This study examines the effect of sensationalism in human-puppet talk shows and the rate of adoption or rejection of viewers to the new innovation for Egyptian Television “Abla Fahita.†Two theories are used as a framework: diffusion of innovation theory (DOI) and cultivation theory. The study’s main hypotheses were H1: Youngesters adopt innovativeness earlier than others in their social system. H2: Audience who watch more show episode’s segments, the more they tend to adopt sensational contents spontaneously. H3: Abla Fahita human-puppet talk show’s heavy viewers tend to watch the episodes on YouTube channel than television. The primary research linked sensationalism to television talk shows’ aspects to examine whether the rate of adoption or rejection to human-puppet talk show (as new innovation to Egyptian television) is due to the sensational contents or the time spent watching human-puppet shows. This study processed with conducting quantitative survey for sample of three generations; teeangers (university students), parents (second generation), and grandparents (first generation) to measure the relative speed of adoption or rejection rate to human-puppet shows across generations. The findings support the assumption that the rate of adoption to Abla Fahita human-puppet talk show as new innovation to Egyptian television increases by the decrease of age; i.e. young third generation adopt innovation earlier than others in social system. The more sensational contents presented in the episode’s segments, the more viewers tend to adopt the innovation spontaneously. The third hypothesis was rejected as the data collected showed that heavy viewers change their viewership medium from television to YouTube depending on preference and comfort, and not for show contents nor television censorship

Έρευνα στάσεων και αντιλήψεων των δημοσιογράφων για τους ψυχικά πάσχοντες από κατάθλιψη σε σύγκριση με την αντίληψή τους για τους πάσχοντες από σχιζοφρένεια

Εισαγωγή: Το κοινωνικό στίγμα ως ένας έντονα μειωτικός και δυσφημιστικός χαρακτηρισμός επηρεάζει ακόμη και σήμερα την ψυχική διαταραχή και τον ψυχικά ασθενή. Το κοινό επιλέγει ως κύρια πηγή πληροφόρησης, ενημέρωσης και ψυχαγωγίας τον έντυπο και ηλεκτρονικό Τύπο, ενώ σε πλείστες των περιπτώσεων επικρατεί η στερεοτυπική αποτύπωση του ψυχικά ασθενή. Η διερεύνηση της επιρροής των Μέσων Μαζικής Ενημέρωσης (Μ.Μ.Ε.) στη διαμόρφωση, διάδοση ή τροφοδότηση του κοινωνικού στίγματος θα προσφέρει επιπλέον επιστημονική γνώση και τεκμηρίωση για τις στρατηγικές εξάλειψης των στιγματιστικών στερεοτύπων. Σκοπός: Η παρούσα έρευνα εξετάζει την στάση και την αντίληψη των δημοσιογράφων ως εκπροσώπων των Μ.Μ.Ε. για την ψυχική διαταραχή, την κατάθλιψη και την σχιζοφρένεια και τη σύνδεση των προσωπικών τους στάσεων με την καταγραφή και την αποτύπωση των στιγματιστικών αντιλήψεων στα Μ.Μ.Ε. σε βάρος των ψυχικά ασθενών. Μεθοδολογία: Το δείγμα αποτελούταν από 163 δημοσιογράφους όλων των κατηγοριών. Χρησιμοποιήθηκαν και διανεμήθηκαν η κλίμακα «Στάσεις για σοβαρές ψυχικές διαταραχές» ή «Attitudes in Severe Mental Illness (ASMI)» για την μελέτη των στάσεων απέναντι στην ψυχική νόσο, ενώ κατασκευάστηκαν και ελέγχθηκαν με παραγοντική ανάλυση για τις ανάγκες της παρούσας έρευνας τα ερωτηματολόγια «Αντιλήψεις και Στάσεις για την Κατάθλιψη» και «Αντιλήψεις και Στάσεις για την Σχιζοφρένεια». Αποτελέσματα: Το δείγμα δεν παρουσιάζει στιγματιστικές αντιλήψεις και στάσεις απέναντι στην ψυχική νόσο. Λιγότερο στιγματιστικές αντιληψεις και στάσεις βρέθηκε να παρουσιάζουν για την κατάθλιψη, ενώ αποτυπώνονται υψηλότερες για την σχιζοφρένεια με το 94.6 % να θεωρεί την σχιζοφρένεια πιο σοβαρή νόσο και το 90,4 % τους σχιζοφρενείς πιο επικίνδυνους από τους καταθλιπτικούς. Το υψηλότερο εκπαιδευτικό επίπεδο συνδέεται με θετικότερη στάση απέναντι στην σχιζοφρένεια, ενώ φαίνεται πως η οικογενειακή κατάσταση και ο τόπος διαμονής επηρεάζουν το προσωπικό ενδιαφέρον για την κατάθλιψη. Οι στάσεις για την κατάθλιψη και την σχιζοφρένεια επηρεάζονται από τον βαθμό στιγματιστικών αντιλήψεων και στάσεων για την ψυχική διαταραχή γενικότερα και το αντίστροφο. Περιορισμοί: Το δείγμα ευκολίας δεν επιτρέπει τη γενικευσιμότητα των αποτελεσμάτων και δεν χρησιμοποιήθηκαν κλινικές βινιέτες.Introduction: Social stigma is a derogatory and defamatory characterization that affects mental disorders and the mentally ill, even nowadays. The audience prefers the print and electronic media as the main information and entertainment source, however in most of the cases, the stereotypical mapping of the mentally ill prevails in media. Investigation of mass media influences, in shaping, dissemination or feeding of social stigma, will provide additional scientific knowledge and documentation about eradication strategies of negative stereotyping and stigma. Aim: This research examines the attitudes and perceptions of journalists, who are the mass media handlers, towards mental disorder, depression and schizophrenia. The main purpose is to investigate, if their personal attitudes towards mental disorders, affects and links by recording and capturing stigmatizing perceptions in media. Method: The sample consisted of 163 journalists of all categories. There, it was used the “Attitudes In Severe Mental Illness (ASMI)” scale and the “Perceptions and Attitudes about “Depression” and “Perceptions and Attitudes about Schizophrenia” questionnaires. These two questionnaires, were constructed and tested with factor analysis and then, they were distributed at this research. Results: There were not found stigmatizing perceptions and attitudes towards mental disorder. Less stigmatizing perceptions and attitudes were found towards depression, while they were higher towards schizophrenia. About 94.6% considered schizophrenia more severe disease and 90.4% considered patients with schizophrenia more dangerous than those with depression. The higher educational level is associated with more positive attitude towards schizophrenia, and it seems that marital status and place of residence affect personal interest in depression. Attitudes towards depression and schizophrenia are affected by the degree of stigmatizing perceptions and attitudes in general, towards mental disorder and vice versa. Limitations: The convenience sample lacks clear generalizability, and no clinical vignettes were used

Understanding Sticky News: Analyzing the Effect of Content Appeal and Social Engagement for Sharing Political News Online

This dissertation investigates the concept of news stickiness and why certain news stories are shared more than others in an online environment. Building on theories of framing, uses and gratifications, and social psychology, the study is guided by the perspective that sharing behavior is considered a joint product of informational and personal factors. Previous research in the investigation of sharing motivations were usually one-sided, focusing on one particular attribute that contributes to the behavior; however, this dissertation argues the two key factors that drive news sharing each play a role in moving the audiences from content “internalizing” to content “externalizing.” Additionally, the dissertation also considers that the act of news sharing is carried out by humans and therefore, driven by the innate human needs that extend beyond content captivation. To bridge the gap in existing research, this dissertation adopts a mixed methods approach consisting of the following: 1) Framing analysis of the “most shared articles of the day” on the New York Times website, examining shared content characteristics; and 2) online experiment testing whether the content features concluded from the framing analysis would make news stories more likely to be shared, with a post-experiment questionnaire evaluating the audience’s psychological motivations for sharing. Findings revealed that news personalization, particularly the use of emotional testimony, localized identification, and partisan provocation, constitutes the key content appeal shared by all articles sampled. Moreover, social engagement appeal is made up of five elements that help explain sharing behavior: reciprocal value, individual interest, information utility, persuasion potential, and the bandwagon effect. This dissertation is a step forward toward better understanding of how to make news sticky, in a sense that the news will not only be read but will also be shared extensively. It provided recommendations for news organizations seeking to analyze web traffic data and produce content that deeply resonates with their audiences. This study further contributed to the theoretical frameworks in audience engagement by associating human psychology with news sharing and ultimately confronted concerns such as an attraction to ‘fake news’ or a lack of interest in critical news on key issues

Radio and women's empowerment in francophone West Africa

This is an open access book. This book breaks new ground by examining the significant role played by radio in empowering women in three Francophone West African countries: Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso