Kenyan constitutional rights and freedoms face threats

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Constitutional Rights ◽  
Media Freedom ◽  
Significant Deterioration ◽  
Quality Of Democracy ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face Threats ◽  
The Media

Subject The state of democracy in Kenya. Significance Since 2017’s contested elections, Kenya has entered a damaging period of political uncertainty, characterised by opposition leader Raila Odinga’s refusal to accept Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidency as legitimate, and the determination of ruling Jubilee Party leaders to use state power to reassert their authority. Consequently, the independence of the media, judiciary and security forces has been challenged, leading to a significant deterioration in the quality of democracy, which threatens -- but has not yet fully undermined -- the gains secured in the 2010 constitution. Impacts GDP growth fell to 4.5% in 2017 from 5.8% in 2016 and is unlikely to recover quickly without a solution to the political impasse. Democratic backsliding may erode relations between the opposition and donors, whom Odinga has already criticised for ignoring excesses. If true, rumours Kenyatta plans to buy a controlling stake in the influential Nation Media Group would be a major blow to media freedom.

Looking Beyond Elections

2013 ◽  
pp. 84-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ufuoma Akpojivi
Keyword(s):  
Mass Media ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Media Freedom ◽  
Quality Of Democracy ◽  
Media Environment ◽  
The Public ◽  
Democratic Rights ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Mass Media

Media freedom is pivotal to the sustenance and consolidation of democracy, as the quality of democracy in any society depends on the level of freedom accorded the media and the plurality of views entertained (Diamond, 2008). The ability of the mass media to carry out their traditional functions of educating, entertaining and enlightening the public about their democratic rights, and holding governments accountable, will subsequently lead to the establishment of a strong democratic institution. Hence there is need to protect media freedom in any democratic society (Baker, 2007; Norris, 2008). The Nigerian media environment, however, is characterised by a series of laws such as sedition law, official secret act, amongst others, which have directly and indirectly hindered the freedom of the mass media and their responsibility of promoting and advancing democracy. This is made worse by the incomprehensive nature of the 1999 Constitution. Using interviews and policy analysis, this chapter critically examines the policy framework of media freedom in Nigeria and its impact on the operation of the mass media. The ability of the media to live up to their responsibility of promoting and advancing the democratisation process in Nigeria within the available framework is also examined.

COVID-19 will embolden autocrats

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Quality Of Democracy ◽  
Checks And Balances ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Human Rights Abuses ◽  
The World ◽  
Sub Saharan

Subject Democracy and COVID-19 Significance A growing number of leaders are using the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to curtail the activities of opposition parties and to expand their powers. In some cases, such as Malawi, unpopular presidents are using a declaration of emergency to prohibit opposition rallies and protests. In others, such as Hungary, emergency laws have been introduced that effectively undermine democratic checks and balances. The need for lockdown and quarantine to contain the virus has also led to a militarisation of the healthcare response -- with significant human rights abuses already reported in Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa. Impacts Further power grabs are likely as the crisis's impact is increasingly felt in Sub-Saharan Africa. Human rights violations will increase as stretched security forces enforce lockdowns on populations that have limited trust in government. The quality of democracy in many parts of the world will continue to decline.

scholarly journals Analysis of professional perceptions relating to the effectiveness of codes of ethics for journalists in Spain

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-528
Author(s):  
Marcel Mauri-Ríos ◽  
Silvia Marcos-García ◽  
Aitor Zuberogoitia-Espilla
Keyword(s):  
Self Regulation ◽  
Codes Of Ethics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Ethical Codes ◽  
Determining Factors ◽  
The Media ◽  
Right To Information ◽  
Key Aspects

Purpose Codes of ethics are important instruments in journalism, as they promote transparency and self-regulation of media, in addition to monitoring the quality of information. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the perceptions that Spanish journalists have of the effectiveness of codes of ethics and to evaluate the different personal and professional variables which condition this vision. Design/methodology/approach The methodology used in the present study is based on quantitative content analysis using the survey technique. This technique makes it possible to obtain empirical data on various key aspects of the profession that are determining factors in ascertaining Spanish journalists’ views of one of the instruments of accountability that is external to the media: general ethical codes. Findings The results show that Spanish journalists are largely confident in the effectiveness of ethical codes in their profession. Likewise, it was seen that variables such as age, professional experience or the media with which they work influence the perceptions that professionals have of such instruments. Originality/value If understanding journalism as a profession whose mission is to guarantee the citizens their right to information, then it is essential to be familiar with the tools provided by the profession itself to be accountable to the public regarding this professional mission. Hence the importance of instruments of accountability and the perceptions of the professionals themselves regarding their effectiveness.

The effect of political neuromarketing 2.0 on election outcomes

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Islam Mohamed Hegazy
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Political Campaign ◽  
Quality Of Democracy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Interdisciplinary Field ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Field Of Inquiry

Purpose The purpose of this paper is the better understanding of the increasing relation between big data 2.0 and neuromarketing, particularly to influence election outcomes, along with a special aim to discuss some raised doubts about Trump’s presidential campaign 2016 and its ability to hijack American political consumers’ minds, and to direct their votes. Design/methodology/approach This paper combines deductive/inductive methodology to define the term of political neuromarketing 2.0 through a brief literature review of related concepts of big data 2.0, virtual identity and neuromarketing. It then applies a single qualitative case study by presenting the history and causes of online voter microtargeting in the USA, and analyzing the political neuromarketing 2.0 mechanisms adopted by Trump’s political campaign team in the 2016 presidential election. Findings Based on Trump’s political marketing mechanisms analysis, the paper believes that big data 2.0 and neuromarketing techniques played an unusual role in reading political consumers’ minds and helping the controversial candidate to meet one of the most unexpected victories in the presidential elections. Nevertheless, this paper argues that the ethics of using political neuromarketing 2.0 to sell candidates and its negative impacts on the quality of democracy are and will continue to be a subject of ongoing debates. Originality/value The marriage of big data 2.0 and political neuromarketing is a new interdisciplinary field of inquiry. This paper provides a useful introduction and further explanations for why and how Trump’s campaign defied initial loss predictions and attained victory during this election.

Latin America faces rising media regulation challenges

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
The United States ◽  
Media Freedom ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Media Regulation ◽  
Good Reputation ◽  
The Media ◽  
Do So

Subject The spread of media regulation initiatives. Significance Unlike in Europe or the United States, there is an increasingly consolidated trend in Latin America towards media regulation: various governments have pushed for the adoption of new anti-trust rules and the strengthening of executive control over the media. However, there are significant differences in approach across the region. Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil all face challenges in this context. Impacts Disputes between the Argentine government and media may become more raucous as October elections approach. Uruguay's good reputation in terms of media freedom will not be undermined by its new broadcasting law. Brazil needs a new regulatory framework, but doubts over the risk of content controls have delayed it before and may do so again.

Perspectives of increase of university education effectiveness

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 396-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yulia Tyurina ◽  
Maria Troyanskaya
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Educational Resources ◽  
University Education ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Correlation And Regression Analysis ◽  
Private Organizations ◽  
Investments In Education

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the perspectives of increase of effectiveness of university education, related to the use of private educational resources. Design/methodology/approach In order to determine the dependence of effectiveness of university education on the use of private educational resources, this work uses the instrumentarium of economic analysis – in particular, the method of correlation analysis – for finding the value of the coefficient of correlation and regression analysis for compiling the model of paired linear regression. Using them, the authors determine the dependence of the quality of human resources in the country on the number of private organizations with their own educational resources and on the volume of private investments in education on the basis of the 2010-2014 data. In order to ensure comprehensiveness of research, it was conducted following the example of various countries – USA, India, France, Germany, and Russia. Findings The authors define the notion and determine the specifics of private educational resources, study their structure and sources, and substantiate the increase of effectiveness of university education as a result of the use of private educational resources with the help of economic and mathematical instrumentarium. Practical implications Practical significance of the research consists in the fact that proprietary conclusions, related to the use of private educational resources, are recommended for use in modern universities for increase of effectiveness of the system of university education. Originality/value The theoretical value of the conducted research is determined by its contribution to the development of the concept of human resources, through substantiation of necessity for use of new methods of their formation by means of use of private educational resources in the system of university education, as well as by its development of the concept of economic effectiveness, through determination of a new factor of effectiveness of university education – the use of private educational resources.

Use of methodology of “underdevelopment whirlpools” with analysis of problems and perspectives of economic growth in Asian countries

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena G. Popkova
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Substantiation

Purpose This paper aims to solve the problem of reduction of disproportions of the global economy and overcoming the underrun of Asian countries from Europe. The author offers a hypothesis that the reason of such underrun is the existence of “underdevelopment whirlpools” in Asian countries. The purpose of this paper is to verify this hypothesis and to determine problems and perspectives of economic growth in Asian countries. Design/methodology/approach As tools for verification of this hypothesis, the author uses the methodology of analysis of “underdevelopment whirlpools”, aimed at the determination of problems and perspectives of economic growth in countries of Asia; methodology of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis for determination of key factors of economic growth in countries of Asia; instrumentarium of theory of games for the evaluation of effectiveness of the use of various strategies of economic development of Asian countries. Findings As a result of the research, the author proves the offered hypothesis and offers – as a solution to the problem of the existence of “underdevelopment whirlpools” in Asian countries – the use of new models of economic development in view of specifics of Asian countries, aimed at transition to new quality of economic growth. Research limitations/implications A certain limitation of the conducted research is primarily theoretical substantiation of the necessity for overcoming the “underdevelopment whirlpools” in Asian countries and framework character of the offered recommendations. Therefore, during further research in this sphere, it is expedient to focus the efforts on the development of the system of practical measures for achievement of this purpose. Practical implications Practical significance of the author’s conclusions and recommendations consists in the possibility for their use during the development of state economic policy in Asian countries in the interests of overcoming the “underdevelopment whirlpools” and transition to the new quality of economic growth. Originality/value At the time of preparation of this paper, the concept “underdevelopment whirlpool” is rather new, and application of methodology of their calculation by the example of Asian countries in the context of analysis of problems and perspectives of economic grows constitutes the basis for originality, scientific value and novelty of the performed research.

scholarly journals Production and production over-supply in construction: estimating unsold stock in Italy

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 506-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Ciaramella ◽  
Alberto Celani
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Real Estate Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Real Estate Sector ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Definition Of

Purpose – The aim of the article is to identify the limitations and critical issues in the way information in the real estate sector in Italy is currently managed, and propose the principles of a method that would provide information and comparison of the phenomenon of over-supply and non-rational land use. This study is based on a series of assumptions, the first of which is a definition of “unsold”, deemed to mean “the amount of new housing units neither occupied nor sold nor rented”. In effect, unsold stock can be considered as over-supply of construction. Design/methodology/approach – The article identifies the critical aspects in the determination of unsold real estate in Italy, starting from the available data and research already carried out; the results are often contradictory. The comparison with programming systems of building production adopted in other countries allows identification of the guidelines that can be used to better understand and combat the phenomenon. Findings – The assessment of the state -of-the-art provides a clear picture of the shortcomings and potential of the tools used to date to meet the need of studying a complex phenomenon with many obscure points. Following the empirical analysis comes out a picture of inefficiencies due to the poor quality of information, as well as the reluctance of data-sharing and -integration procedures by the institutional and market players. Research limitations/implications – The research produces solutions addressed to the Italian situation, but it identifies systems and methods used in other countries. Practical implications – The article suggests the collection systems and management information that can be used for a more accurate knowledge of unsold real estate. Social implications – The article focuses on some of the limits of the Italian real estate market, highlighting the need for greater transparency and how this can contribute to a more conscious approach to the market. Originality/value – The article seeks to provide the necessary answers to those who must understand the reasons of harmful effects for the market, such as overproduction; besides some models focused on three areas – the procedures, the organization and the market – are also proposed.

scholarly journals Microbial Quality of Dehydrated Media Used in the Sterility Testing of Immunobiological Medicinal Products

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Sukhanova ◽  
N. E. Zakharova
Keyword(s):  
Visual Observation ◽  
Growth Media ◽  
Technical Documentation ◽  
Medicinal Products ◽  
Foreign Matter ◽  
Sterility Testing ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
The Media

Medicinal products fail sterility testing if visual observation shows the growth of microorganisms that manifests itself as turbidity, sedimentation, flocculation and other changes in the growth medium. A key factor allowing robust determination of changes in the culture that may be suspected of contamination is the quality of growth media used, namely their transparency, and absence of foreign matter detectable by microscopic examination of the growth media smears. The presence of such foreign matter makes it especially difficult to interpret the results of testing of immunobiological products, namely live bacterial vaccines, because they cause turbidity of the media due to their specific composition. The article dwells upon the results of testing (in terms of Transparency and Microbial content) of dehydrated growth media recommended by the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation, 13th ed., General monograph 1.2.4.0003.15 for sterility testing of immunobiological medicinal products. The study revealed the presence of microorganisms, including pathogenic ones, in the growth media. In view of the fact that certificates of analysis and technical documentation accompanying components of growth media and dehydrated growth media produced by most national and foreign manufacturers do not contain any data on the acceptable levels of microorganisms it is argued that these products have to be tested for microbial content. The study also investigated the ways of improving the quality of commercial dehydrated growth media at the preparation stage.

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