What the Listeners Want

2021 ◽  
pp. 90-131
Author(s):  
Megan Faragher
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Short Story ◽  
Radio Waves ◽  
British Broadcasting Corporation ◽  
The Public ◽  
Collective Decisions ◽  
Constant Tension ◽  
Public Consciousness ◽  
Individual Consciousness ◽  
High Level

In 1942, Val Gielgud and John Dickson Carr wrote and produced a pair of plays: Inspector Silence Takes the Air and Thirteen to the Gallows. Both are set in the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) studios during wartime, and both dramatized dead air and dead bodies. Gielgud, as a high-level radio-producer, feared that the BBC was broadcasting into a void. The emergence of the Listener Research Department, a unit designed to assess listener sentiment about BBC programming, promised to usher in an institution with a more responsive relationship to its audience. But these plays, featuring BBC technicians as villains, criticize the BBC’s Reithian self-conception as an unliteral force to produce and manufacture public taste, a tendency in constant tension with the burgeoning science of listener research. This chapter traces the ambivalent responses to the wireless as both a method of controlling public opinion and a medium with the potential to facilitate psychographic congruity across populations. Those outside the BBC expressed equal parts concern and optimism about the ability of wireless technology to shape its audiences. Recognizing the BBC’s power to move listeners, Olaf Stapledon’s short story “A World of Sound” is the first of his works to theorize the sonic sphere as a means of transcending individual consciousness; radio-centric telepathy would later become a crux to his aesthetic project, with novels like Star Marker imagining radio waves as a means of decentralizing authority and enabling individuals to access the public consciousness directly and make collective decisions.

scholarly journals Perceptions About Sexual Offenses: Misconceptions, Punitiveness, and Public Sentiment

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura L. King
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Punitive Attitudes ◽  
The Public ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Public Sentiment ◽  
High Level

Decades of research on public opinion about crime reveal varying, yet relatively punitive attitudes that are often riddled with misconceptions. Sparked by the increased media and legislative attention devoted to sex offenders beginning in the 1990s, researchers began to more closely examine public opinion about sexual offenses. Findings suggest the public adheres to several misconceptions about sexual offenses and supports harsh sanctions for offenders. However, further research is warranted to more closely examine the relationships among these variables. Thus, the goal of the present study was to survey Pennsylvania residents to examine the degree to which misconceptions about sexual offenses inform punitiveness. The results supported the hypotheses in that a high level of support for misconceptions and punitiveness was identified, and adherence to misconceptions was the strongest predictor of punitiveness. These findings demonstrate a clear need for educational and awareness efforts to dispel public misconceptions about sexual offending and victimization.

scholarly journals Social Diagnostics of the Housing Renovation Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 137-151
Author(s):  
Andrey Merzlykov
Keyword(s):  
Civil Rights ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Diagnostic Study ◽  
Significant Information ◽  
The Public ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Public Consciousness ◽  
High Level

The article presents the socio-diagnostic study results of the Moscow districts residents assessment of the housing renovation program implementation. Relations groups to the city program were identified, which can be divided into supporters, critics and hesitants. The predominance of neutral assessments is dictated by the fact that the program is only at the initial stage of its implementation, Muscovites are still finding it difficult to assess the progress of its implementation. Social expectations and concerns about the program were analyzed. It is noted that unreasonable fears and fears dominate the public consciousness. The reason for their creation is the low level of awareness of the residents of the districts both about the program itself and about the stages and activities for its implementation. The analysis of information channels for obtaining significant information shows a very high level of confidence of residents in sources organized by the authorities and the responsible executor (Renovation Fund), but dissatisfaction with the quality and completeness of the information provided makes residents of the districts cautious about assessing its implementation. The average level of readiness of residents to interact with the authorities to discuss planning projects and socially significant problems has been revealed, which in the future can increase significantly in cases of gross violation or failure to fully fulfill the promises and guarantees announced by the authorities. Possible strategies for the conduct of the population in asserting their civil rights are identified: complaints and appeals to the authorities; individual protest activity, organization of work of initiative groups and passive position. The results of the study were presented to the Customer – Renovation Fund and can be used in organizing sociological support for large-scale socially significant projects

scholarly journals THE ACTIVITIES OF THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE IN EMERGENCIES AS A FACTOR IN THE FORMATION OF PUBLIC OPINION ABOUT THE POLICE

2022 ◽  
pp. 122-128
Author(s):  
Андрей Петрович Тюнь
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
The Public ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Public Consciousness ◽  
Law Enforcement Officials ◽  
The Media

В статье рассматриваются основные принципы формирования и трансформации общественного мнения о полиции в гражданской среде, связанные с участием сотрудников правоохранительных органов в мероприятиях, направленных на предотвращение негативных последствий чрезвычайных ситуаций. Рассматриваются объективные риски, возникающие вследствие некорректной трактовки служебных действий сотрудников правоохранительных органов представителями гражданской сферы в условиях ограничения их возможностей с целью минимизации ущерба от чрезвычайной ситуации. Отмечается, что в условиях действия ограничительных мер на период объявления чрезвычайной ситуации усиливается негативное восприятие деятельности сотрудников органов внутренних дел. Оцениваются перспективы, связанные с улучшением социального восприятия полиции в результате освещения самоотверженности и высоких личных качеств сотрудников полиции, с риском для жизни и здоровья участвующих в борьбе с последствиями чрезвычайной ситуации и в спасении гражданского населения. Делается вывод о необходимости использования средств массовой информации как инструмента формирования общественного мнения в целях объективного отражения в общественном сознании россиян профессиональной деятельности работников правоохранительной системы. The paper examines the principles of the formation and transformation of public opinion about the police in the civilian environment, associated with the participation of law enforcement officers in measures aimed at preventing the negative consequences of emergencies. The publication considers the risks associated with the incorrect interpretation of the official actions of law enforcement officials by representatives of the civilian sphere in the context of limiting their capabilities in order to minimize damage from an emergency. The author evaluates the prospects related to improving the social perception of the police through highlighting the disregard of self and high personal qualities of police officers at risk to life and health of those involved in combating the consequences of an emergency and rescuing the civilian population. It is concluded that the media should be used as an instrument for the formation of public opinion in order to objectively reflect the professional activities of law enforcement officials in the public consciousness of Russians.

Bohaterowie czy antybohateriowie? Medialne wcielenia monarchów a problem „rozpadu” Hiszpanii

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (49) ◽  
pp. 70-81
Author(s):  
Maja Biernacka
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Royal Family ◽  
Media Images ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Face ◽  
Financial Scandals ◽  
The Media ◽  
High Level

The article is dedicated to the media images of the Spanish Bourbon monarchy, especially the King Felipe VI and his wife Letizia, accompanied with an analysis of their role as (super) heroes or antiheroes of the nation. The author presents the problem of their standing in the public opinion in the face of participation of the royal family members in numerous political, sex and financial scandals, but also general crisis of the monarchy in Spain. Additional factors which make the King’s role of a superhero infeasible is a high level of contestation of the national idea in the society and augmenting secessionist tendencies, especially in Catalonia. In the atmosphere of probable disintegration of the Spanish state the monarch is unable to take substantial measures but remains obliged to make reference to them in his ceremonial public statements.

scholarly journals Countering COVID-19: A European survey on acceptability of and commitment to preventive measures

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Sabat ◽  
N Elsem Varghese ◽  
S Neuman-Böhme ◽  
P Pita Barros ◽  
W Brouwer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Sentiment ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
People’S Attitudes ◽  
High Level ◽  
Movement Tracking ◽  
Representative Samples

Abstract To understand the public sentiment toward the measures used by policymakers for COVID-19 containment, a survey among representative samples of the population in seven European countries was carried out in the first two weeks of April 2020. The study addressed people's support for containment policies, worries about COVID-19 consequences, and trust in sources of information. Citizens were overall satisfied with their government's response to the pandemic; however, the extent of approval differed across countries and policy measures. A north-south divide in public opinion was noticeable across the European states. It was particularly pronounced for intrusive policy measures, such as mobile data use for movement tracking, economic concerns, and trust in the information from the national government. Considerable differences in people's attitudes were noticed within countries, especially across individual regions and age groups. The findings suggest that the epidemic acts as a stressor, causing health and economic anxieties even in households that were not directly affected by the virus. At the same time, the burden of stress was unequally distributed across regions and age groups. Based on the data collected, we draw lessons from the containment stage and identify several insights that can facilitate the design of lockdown exit strategies and future containment policies so that a high level of compliance can be expected. Key messages Citizens were overall satisfied with their government's response to the COVID-19 outbreak. A north-south pattern in public opinion was observed across the European states.

scholarly journals The specifics of shaping the national and political identities in Ukrainian society: history and modernity

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Olha V. Holovina
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Historical Memory ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Social Consciousness ◽  
The Public ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Public Consciousness ◽  
Individual Consciousness ◽  
Complex Solutions ◽  
Ukrainian Society

The study examines the shaping of political and national identity in Ukraine in historical context, defines the factors influencing the process; the scope of the study covers the period from the beginning of the 20th century to the present days. The urgency of the study lies in the fact of existence of double identities in the collective and individual consciousness of Ukrainians at the beginning of the 20th century, which also complicates the problem of the choice of identities in modern Ukrainian society. The main range of problems requiring further research, debating points and poorly investigated problems, perspectives of studies in the area and ways of solving the existing social problems are identified. Along with the theoretical principles of studying the specifics of shaping of social consciousness, practical measures are taken to overcome the existing crisis in the public consciousness, complex solutions to the problem of shaping the collective historical memory of Ukrainians are proposed.

scholarly journals Public Opinion: Notion, Peculiarities and Role in the Law-making Process.

2020 ◽  
pp. 62-71
Author(s):  
Tarakhonych Tetiana
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Opinion Formation ◽  
Internal Factors ◽  
The Public ◽  
Spheres Of Influence ◽  
Temporal Features ◽  
Public Consciousness ◽  
Basic Functions ◽  
The Law ◽  
Law Making

The article deals with the theoretical and practical issues of public opinion formation and development in the process of progressive changes of Ukrainian society and state. The article underlines that the public opinion plays an important role in the law-making process. It is pointed out that the public opinion is an evaluative component of public consciousness, which is reflected in different forms of manifestation by means of sentiment, feelings, emotions, judgments concerning an object of knowledge and reflects a certain level of knowledge concerning certain phenomena, processes, facts, etc. The research characterizes the features of public opinion: public opinion is the evaluative side of social consciousness; directed to a certain object of cognition; it is reflected in certain forms of manifestation; characterized by information saturation; has certain spheres of influence; it is characterized by inherent spatial and temporal features; it has the ability to influence the consciousness and practical activities of various actors, to determine their social behavior; it has a certain structure, emotional, cognitive and strong-willed components, and preference is given to those that are dominant in nature and induce to the action. The author underlines that most scholars tend to separate the rational, emotional, and strong-willed manifestation of public opinion. The structural components of public opinion are defined and characterized, namely: subjects, object, content. It is noted that the object of public opinion is events, actions, facts, phenomena of public life, which are directed by the public opinion. The subjects of public opinion are members of society, a certain community, a group, etc., endowed with consciousness and will, able to show their attitude to the object of cognition. It is also pointed out that the content aspect of public opinion is those feelings, emotions, judgments, actions that facilitate of the realization of interests and needs of public opinion subjects. It states that in the public opinion`s mechanism of actions the interests and needs are important, which are constantly changing. The article emphasizes that the external and internal factors affect the substantive and essential nature of public opinion. The functional focus of the public opinion is defined and it provides the opportunity to determine and characterize such basic functions of public opinion as: expressive, control, directive, cognitive, informational, prognostic, etc.

scholarly journals PARAPHRASES FORMED IN THE PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS

2019 ◽  
pp. 7-11
Author(s):  
Aigul Baydebekkyzy Amirbekova ◽  
Аnar Fazylzhan Muratkyzy
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
The Public ◽  
Modern Media ◽  
Methods Of Analysis ◽  
The World ◽  
Public Consciousness

The article deals with the cognitive-pragmatic potential of a new paraphrase, a language instrument that influences the public consciousness. The purpose of the article is to preserve the depth of use of the new paraphrase in people's memory and to identify the reasons for its widespread use. The strength of manipulative, pragmatic actions in the content of imaginative, random applications that change the opinion of society is confirmed by successive examples. The reasons for the transfer of new usage in modern media in the paraphrase, metonymic paraphrase, metaphor, occasional paraphrase will be revealed. As public opinion grows, changes in public consciousness can be observed. The article says that only accurately describing the stereotypical ideas of people about the knowledge of the world can affect the public consciousness. The article uses linguocognitive, lingvo-semantic, semantic methods of analysis.

scholarly journals FORMATION FEATURES OF PUBLIC OPINION AND DEVELOPMENT STAGES

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 156-166
Author(s):  
ASTGHIK AVETISYAN
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Mass Media ◽  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Opinion Poll ◽  
Spiral Of Silence ◽  
Opinion Formation ◽  
Public Interests ◽  
The Public ◽  
Political Agitation ◽  
Public Consciousness

The public opinion reflects a true picture of public consciousness, public interests, moods and feelings of various social groups. The main methods of public opinion formation are suggestion, infection, persuasion and imitation. The main instruments of opinion formation are mass media, oral propaganda, political agitation and interpersonal communication. Development of public opinion passes various stages: formation, functioning, expression and realization in practice. It can be formed spontaneously and consciously. The analysis of scientific literature shows that researchers have some approaches to allocation ofstages. Key words: public opinion, mass media, public consciousness, study methods, document analysis, opinion poll, stereotypes, image, advertisement, spiral of silence, impact, collective consciousness.

Radiological safety and assessment of the performance of X-ray systems in veterinary facilities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Economides ◽  
C.J. Hourdakis ◽  
C. Pafilis ◽  
G. Simantirakis ◽  
P. Tritakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Radiation Protection ◽  
Atomic Energy Commission ◽  
Atomic Energy ◽  
Regulatory Control ◽  
Continuous Training ◽  
X Ray ◽  
The Public ◽  
Radiological Safety ◽  
High Level

This paper concerns an analysis regarding the performance of X-ray equipment as well as the radiological safety in veterinary facilities. Data were collected from 380 X-ray veterinary facilities countrywide during the on-site regulatory inspections carried out by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission. The analysis of the results shows that the majority of the veterinary radiographic systems perform within the acceptable limits; moreover, the design and shielding of X-ray rooms as well as the applied procedures ensure a high level of radiological safety for the practitioners, operators and the members of the public. An issue that requires specific attention in the optimization process for the proper implementation of veterinary radiology practices in terms of radiological safety is the continuous training of the personnel. The above findings and the regulatory experience gained were valuable decision-making elements regarding the type of the regulatory control of veterinary radiology practices in the new radiation protection framework.

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