Media and the institutional perspective: U.S. and Canadian coverage of terrorism

Abstract

This paper reports data from a content analysis of television news coverage of terrorism. A proposed typology of terrorism and media coverage is tested with stories from network news in the United States and Canada. The typology posits that media coverage of terrorism depends on the act's relation to institutional power bases. The two types of terrorism outlined either seek out or avoid media coverage, depending on whether they challenge or reinforce institutional power. Because of media's interrelationship with the economic and political institutions, coverage of terrorism will take on the flavor of these institutions’ perspective. The data show that although media cover terrorist acts that are linked to U.S. institutional interests, the tone of such coverage casts uncritical perspective. The implications for the general message system of news, with particular regard to the media's contribution to international understanding, are explored.     

Briefly Noted

The argument is commonly made that television has changed the character of parliamentary elections. Its ever more central role in election campaigns outside the United States is held to have “presidentialized” parliamentary elections because it is a medium that projects personalities more effectively than ideas or policies. A comparison of the electoral roles of the Australian prime minister and the U.S. president indicates that both leaders are held personally accountable for government performance. However, such “presidentialism” appears to have little to do with television in Australia or in the United States. Television‐dependent citizens in both countries are less susceptible to the campaign appeals of chief executives than the rest of the voting public. Both leaders, but especially the president, do have an electoral impact. Counter to expectations, however, this impact makes itself felt in both cases among those voters who are not dependent on television for their political information and cues. Party identification seems to insulate the television‐dependent more successfully against leader effects.     

Making Things More Public: On the Political Responsibility of the Media Intellectual

Rosen, Jay. (1994). Making Things More Public: On the Political Responsibility of the Media Intellectual. Critical Studies in Mass Communication, 11(4), 363–388.     

Exploring contextual influences on the architectural structure of South African television news programmes This article is partly based on a paper presented at the International Broadcasting Content Regulation Conference,Johannesburg, 27–29 May 2005

Abstract

This article uses a qualitative textual analysis of in-depth interviews with senior news processors as a methodology to explore the unique contextual dimensions that may influence the architectural structure of South African television news programmes. The discussion rests on the basic assumption that news will always present a mediated and constructed version of reality. Six communicative frames categories have been selected to investigate operational processes and issues organising the production process of news: short, straight-forward, ‘objective’ news reports; single-sourced news items based on one major voice or main perspective; investigative news reports; marketable news chosen for financial potential; news items based on community and cultural events; and mythic tales. The findings indicate that the interface between contextual factors and journalistic practices contributes to the unique challenges facing the industry in South Africa. The article concludes with an appeal to news processors to reflect on the consequences and effects their programmes have on audiences’ perception of reality, and proposes recommendations to enable audiences to become more empowered and engaged viewers.     

Incarnating a rhetoric of identity: Pat Robertson and the 700 Club

Abstract

The article analyses the American ‘Christian’ television talk show, the 700 Club, created by Pat Robertson. It suggests that Robertson has developed a sophisticated form of programming based on the creation of a participatory identity between the viewer, programme hosts and interviewees. This is based on the skilful combination of rhetoric and myths, understood in terms of narrative paradigms, supported by the active involvement of worldwide church-based support networks.     

Regulating webcasting: An analysis of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and the current broadcasting law in the UK

Webcasting is an emerging industry, which steadily gains significance as technology enables efficient delivery of video content via Internet. The regulation of webcasting is a topic worthy of debate: Regulating webcasting heavy-handedly may result in stifled innovation whereas not imposing any regulation carries the danger of an un-level playing field between webcasters and stringently regulated broadcasters. In the wake of the Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) Directive's adoption, the debate has inevitably come to the attention of national regulators of EU Member States, and will remain on OFCOM's agenda until the Directive's implementation into UK law is completed. This article provides an analysis of both the AVMS Directive and the current UK broadcasting law as regards to its applicability to Internet-based services in order to identify UK's current standing prior to implementation; discusses the role of alternatives to state regulation (self- and co-regulation) in the implementation process and finally addresses the DCMS Public Consultation on the Implementation of AVMS Directive revealing the government's plan for the implementation.     

数字网络传播技术下影视作品的合理使用

技术是法律制度的催化剂,数字网络传播技术以更快的速度和更广的范围内传播影视作品,不仅提高了影视作品及权利人知名度,而且对推进社会文明也有不可磨灭的贡献;但是网络强大的复制功能和无地域性使著作权人对其影视作品失去了控制。合理使用制度作为著作权人的个人利益和社会利益的平衡器受到挑战。本文通过分析数字网络技术对影视作品合理使用的冲击,论证合理使用制度在数字网络时代存在的基础及重构。     

In memoriam: Leonard J. Theberge

The study examines Pat Robertson's use of The 700 Club television program to establish and sustain celebrity status and in turn to promote partisan politics through seemingly objective news accounts. The findings indicate that The 700 Club news segments consistently rely on narrative techniques that mask Robertson's intensely partisan content and provide what Kenneth Burke terms symbolic medicine for his particular audience.     

电视调解：人民调解的新尝试——兼与一般人民调解比较

电视调解是人民调解在现阶段的一种新的发展形式,是人民调解和电视媒体的联姻,二者的强强联合,对于化解矛盾纠纷、构建和谐社会起着重要的作用。规范意义上的电视调解不同于一般的情感类谈话节目,其调解协议具有法律效力。电视调解也不同于一般的人民调解,它有调解的公开性、非地域性、影响的广泛性等优势,但也面临个人隐私的曝光、娱乐化倾向、节目的公益性与私利性矛盾等问题。因此,在实践中应注重当事人的隐私保护,警惕＂娱乐化＂的侵害,更多地体现社会关怀与社会责任。     

论政府的制度型再造与业务型再造:以有线电视部门为例

本文构建了一个关于政府再造演化机制的理论框架:根据对西方政府再造理论与实践的梳理,提出从制度型再造到业务型再造的演化路径。结合英美国家有线电视部门再造的案例分析,深化了对政府再造的演化机制及其和政府职能转变之间联系的理解。通过横向比较和纵向回顾,对我国有线电视产业部门和规制机构再造所处阶段和发展方向进行了政策应用分析。本文的研究可以为我国其他政府部门设计再造的路径和方案提供一定的借鉴。