Toward a measurement tool for the monitoring of media diversity and pluralism in South Africa: A public-centred approach

Abstract

This article responds to recent debates within South African media politics regarding the diversity and transformation of the print sector in the country, by suggesting a necessary refocus of previously used methods of measuring media diversity and proposing a more audience-centred approach. This audience-centred method is discussed with regard to meeting the demands of the normative understanding of media diversity, where the media are viewed as central to an individual's formulation of opinions and ideas, thus rendering the media – and particularly the news media – vital in fostering an enabled and informed citizenry. The argument proposes a bottom-up instead of a top-down methodology for measuring media diversity, by placing the primary focus on the public as the starting point, rather than the end point of the analysis, and validating this position through the normative view of the media's role in assisting citizens to formulate personal views. The article concludes by listing four key areas in which current debates on media diversity in South Africa should be realigned and refocused, including at a parliamentary level.     

Crossing the limen: terrorist prisoners and the politically liminal process of imprisonment

Being processed through prison, for the politically violent, can be understood to be a liminal occurrence. Drawing upon the experiences of imprisoned Republicans in Northern Ireland, this study contrasts internment and imprisonment and situates these militants within the conditions of liminality – the role of comradeship; the liminal as dangerous and polluting; their being hidden and stripped. The study explores how imprisonment seeks to refashion militants by undermining the frames for their militancy. Liminality is suggested as an alternative conceptual tool for critically reflecting upon counter-terrorism.     

科技在风险社会中的利益与风险分配——以转基因技术为视角

科技的发展促成了风险社会的形成。风险社会中的风险有着向下层聚集的特点。以转基因技术为例,在转基因商品化和产业化的过程中,利益被发达国家、跨国公司、生产企业和科学家等获得,而风险却集中在发展中国家的普通消费者尤其是农民身上。根据可持续发展原则,在科技发展中,利益集团有能力也有义务承担更多风险,并在保障普通大众的基本权益不受损害的前提下,优先考虑大众的利益。     

19世纪英国大学法律教育的开展

法律教育是培养法律人才的重要途径,而法律教育机制是随着社会发展而不断调整和变革的。工业革命后英国社会发展对法律教育提出了现实需求,在新的历史条件下,英国以伦敦大学为代表的新大学和以牛津与剑桥为代表的古老大学都加入到法律教育的事业中来,使得英国法律教育体制从中世纪以律师会馆为主体的学徒制——经验型法律教育逐渐发展到以大学和法律职业组织分工合作的现代学院制法律教育,英国法律教育体制实现了从传统到现代的转型。     

A new method for the recovery and evidential comparison of footwear impressions using 3D structured light scanning

Footwear impressions are one of the most common forms of evidence to be found at a crime scene, and can potentially offer the investigator a wealth of intelligence. Our aim is to highlight a new and improved technique for the recovery of footwear impressions, using three-dimensional structured light scanning. Results from this preliminary study demonstrate that this new approach is non-destructive, safe to use and is fast, reliable and accurate. Further, since this is a digital method, there is also the option of digital comparison between items of footwear and footwear impressions, and an increased ability to share recovered footwear impressions between forensic staff thus speeding up the investigation.     

Connectivity

Abstract

The concept ‘connectivity’ is most widely used in communication technology, referring to the linkage between electronics, computers, computer systems and the people who use them, but it is also a heuristic concept with great utility in the broader discipline of Communication and beyond. This article traces the concept from its theoretical origins in information science to the core position that it holds in all traditions of the Communication discipline. It assesses the physiological, psychological and sociological dimensions of connectivity and considers the application of the concept as an instrument for understanding and resolving the problems, issues and opportunities of the world around us. The article ends with some insights into the practical utility of the concept in the spheres of social and institutional development, productivity, performance and the generation of competitive advantage.     

略论我国城市社会稳定的建构

城市化的加快和急剧的社会转型,使大量的农村人口涌入城市,城市中的社会组织逐步发生分化,原有的道德观念体系受到强烈冲击,社会分层现象日益明显。这一切使我国的城市社会稳定面临着严峻的考验。我们必须深入分析当前影响城市社会稳定的各种因素,建构城市社会稳定体系。     

单片机实验教学改革探讨

本文针对我院电子类专业单片机实验教学中存在的问题提出了一种改革方案,用一种由本院老师组成的开发小组自行设计的8051多功能实验板开设多种实验,可以巩固学生所学单片机原理知识,提高学生动手能力,学生若在学习单片机知识后完全掌握了多功能实验板的设计过程、程序编写方法,对学生学以致用,今后走向工作岗位进行单片机应用开发有很大帮助.     

工会在国有企业改制中必须注意的几个问题

目前,我国的国企改革已进入攻坚阶段,在改制过程中应找准工会的位置,最大限度地发挥其作用,真正代表和维护职工群众在改制过程中的利益。