Manuel Castells: the emergence of modern political movements

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I suggest you this concise and categoric observation by professor Manuel Castells on how modern "political movements", the new kind of a social movement, are emerging on a close relationship between the urban and the cyberspace.

interview: 'Social Media: Crowdsourcing Change'

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This is a very interesting interview by European Journalism Centre with Russian researcher and journalist Gregory Asmolov on Social Media for journalism, civil participation and power relations, among other political communication issues, in different contexts.

Gregory Asmolov - 'Social Media: Crowdsourcing Change' from European Journalism Centre on Vimeo.

Interview with Gregory Asmolov, Contributing editor "Runet Echo", Global Voices; Co-Founder of Help Map and doctoral student at the London School of Economics in Brussels.

European Journalism Centre 2011

www.ejc.net

www.enjnconference.eu

Politics and the Media at Social Media Era

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I have delivered a guest lecture at the Faculty of Social Science of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) today.

The Era of Social Media: Continuities and Changes in the Media & Politics addressed both theoretical and empirical debates on the changes and continuities undergoing in the relationship between politics, the media and communication in times where Social Media is catching great attention.

You can find below the lecture hand-out gathering a briefing and references and further down the presentation.

Feel free to comment on both the material and the lecture itself.

Maradona and the British Media

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Over the past few days the worldwide media has focused on tonight’s friendly football match between Scotland and Argentina[1]. Football “friendlies” do not always attract this much attention. The difference is that this time, the South American squad will kick-off the polemic Maradona’s era as National Coach.

Beyond the sporting issues and controversies around Maradona’s appointment and the eventual result, it is interesting observe how the British press– especially the more sensationalist ones in particular the Mirror[2] and the Scottish Sun[3] - have been reviving old grudges. The famous ‘hand of God’ episode spring immediately to mind, ‘touching’ sensitive nerves in British – Scottish and English - fans and therefore provoking various nationalistic reactions (and sales increases, of course).

The Argentinean press, on the other hand, has also focused on a similar sensationalist pattern[4]. But in their case the focus has been the details of the relationship between Maradona’s pregnant daughter and the baby’s father, Segio Agüero, the new Argentinean star and team member.

However, the bigger picture is better understood by considering deeper political and historical embedded in how the media are covering the run-up to the match. For British fans, constant failures in World Cups since 1966 are frequently excused by finding scapegoats are hiding behind illegal acts such as the ‘Hand of God’. Whereas on the Argentinean side, such event have strong connotations, Diego, poor guy from the suburbs of Buenos Aires, restored the pride of the Argentinean back in 1986 by defeating those who four years earlier had toppled the dreams of a nation in the Falkland’s War. These are not trivial feelings. Old passions have been aroused and once again football is a catalyst vehicle for social, political, cultural dynamics.

Post published while studying Masters' degree in International Political Communication, Advocacy & Campaigning at Kingston University (UK). Revised by Anita Howarth.

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[1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2008/nov/18/diego-maradona-argentina

[2] http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2008/11/19/terry-butcher-is-odds-on-not-to-shake-diego-maradona-s-hand-tonight-115875-20906965/

[3] http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/article1945228.ece

[4] http://www.clarin.com/diario/2008/11/19/deportes/d-01805650.htm

Obama and the 'Bradley effect'

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How decisive is Barak Obama’s race going to be the forthcoming US elections? Al-Jazeera has asked, is there going to be a ‘Bradley effect’?

This particular American political phenomenon[i] alludes to the African-American candidate Tom Bradley who was leading the election be Governor of the state of California in 1982 but who was ultimately defeated by a white candidate. The “Bradley effect” refers to how white voters respond favorably to black candidates in the opinion polls but prefer white candidates in the electoral booth.

In an election in which  the Financial Crisis factor and  American foreign policy have been  main issues, Obama’s campaign has been addressing and emphasizing the professional capacity as well as charismatic qualities of the Democrat candidate rather than his racial origin. Furthermore, some Americans consider that the racial component has been overcome and the final decision will be taken among others from the economical, social and international policies offered by the contenders [ii]. 

Nevertheless, the skepticism still persists.

The three debates have finished without knock-outs, but the latest US election poll[iii] show Obama leads Republican candidate John McCain by a considerable important margin of 6.5% -in some cases even 10% difference[iv]- with respect to the Republican candidate, John McCain. As the readers may know, polls are “snapshots”, statistical assessments of what people are thinking at this moment in time but most credible surveys and polls allow for a 5% margin of error. Obama’s 6.5%-plus lead would normally be read as an indication that he will probably win but this does not factor in the “Bradley effect”. In this campaign the margin of error might be bigger. So, these polls will not necessarily tell us what the real final result will be.

The final leg will be crucial for both Republicans and Democrats campaigns. The Obama campaign needs to adjust their strategies to overcome the margin of error and the “Bradley effect” and so as to avoid any “surprise” for the latter ones.

Post published while studying Masters' degree in International Political Communication, Advocacy & Campaigning at Kingston University (UK). Revised by Anita Howarth.

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[i] http://www.gregorypayne.net/bradleybio.pdf

[ii] http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/24/barackobama.democrats20081

[iii] http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html?utm_source=rcpwidget&utm_medium=widget&utm_campaign=guardian1

[iv] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/politics/polls/

BBC, a form of cultural imperialism?

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Is the work of BBC World Service Trust a form of cultural imperialism? This was one of the key concerns raised by the audience during a presentation on the work of the BBC World Service Trust by Gerry Power, Head of Research at the organization.

The Trust aims to use media to fight poverty and empower local communities especially in rural areas. Projects include the use of soap operas and advertising to promote the use of condoms in Africa and the use of radio to inform and educate farmers in Ethiopia. This humanitarian agenda is pursued within a framework of BBC values – “independence, impartiality and honesty”.

While these aims appear laudable, a member of the audience questioned whether these really do represent the potential for good or whether they represent an agenda of cultural imperialism and paternalistic intervention.

Power and the BBC international agenda

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Gerry Power, Head of research at BBC World Service Trust, has kicked-off the cycle of Visiting Speakers programme foresees to this Semester at Kingston University.

Supported by a meticulous methodology as well as a broad knowledge of the BBC World Trust, their principles, strategies and goals, he exposed a variety of projects, initiatives and findings obtained throughout their work in 43 countries around the developing world.

Following Power’s presentation, their ultimate goal is generate advances in the fight against poverty, utilising mass media and communications methods and resources as tools for empowering excluded communities –emphasising in rural areas (i.e. Public service advertising to promote condom use in India, or Ethiopia's first radio soap opera recorded on location - designed to stimulate debate about rural livelihoods). Furthermore, their particular areas of interest are Health, Governance & Human Rights, Education, Emergency Response, Livelihoods and environment.