scholarly journals Key Influencers in Public Diplomacy 2.0: A Country-Based Social Network Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 205630512098105
Author(s):  
Diana Ingenhoff ◽  
Giada Calamai ◽  
Efe Sevin
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Public Diplomacy ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Opinion Leaders ◽  
Centrality Measures ◽  
Political Actors ◽  
Step Flow ◽  
Twitter Users

This article presents a study of Twitter-based communication in order to identify key influencers and to assess the role of their communication in shaping country images. The analysis is based on a 2-month dataset comprised of all tweets including hashtags of the three countries selected for this study: Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Following a two-step flow model of communication, we initially identified the influential Twitter users in all three countries based on their centrality measures. Subsequently, we carried out a qualitative content analysis of tweets posted by these influential users. Finally, we assessed the similarities and differences across the three country cases. This article offers new insights into public diplomacy 2.0 activities by discussing influence within the context of country images and demonstrating how opinion leaders can play a more dominant role than states or other political actors in creating and disseminating content related to country image. The findings also provide practical insights in the production of a country’s image and its representation on new media platforms.

Examining Public Sentiments and Attitudes Towards COVID-19 Vaccination: An Infoveillance Study using Twitter Posts (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranganathan Chandrasekaran ◽  
Rashi Desai ◽  
Harsh Shah ◽  
Vivek Kumar ◽  
Evangelos Moustakas
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Opinion Leaders ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Topic Modelling ◽  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Post Vaccination ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Twitter Users

BACKGROUND A global rollout of vaccinations is currently underway to mitigate and protect people from the COVID-19 pandemic. Several individuals have been using social media platforms like Twitter as an outlet to express their feelings, concerns and opinions about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination programs. This study examines COVID-19 vaccine related tweets from Jan 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021 to uncover the topics, themes and variations in sentiments of public twitter-users. OBJECTIVE To examine key themes and topics from COVID-19 vaccine related English tweets posted by individuals, and to explore the trends and variations in public opinions and sentiments METHODS We gathered and assessed a corpus of 2.94 million COVID-19 vaccine related tweets made by 1.2 million individuals. We used CoreX topic modelling to explore the themes and topics underlying the tweets, and used VADER sentiment analysis to compute sentiment scores and examine weekly trends. We also performed qualitative content analysis of the top three topics pertaining to COVID-19 vaccination. RESULTS Topic modelling yielded 16 topics that were grouped into 6 broader themes underlying the COVID-19 vaccination tweets. The most tweeted topic about COVID-19 vaccination was related to vaccination policy - whether vaccines needed to be mandated or optional (13.94%), followed by vaccine hesitancy (12.63%), and post-vaccination symptoms and effects (10.44%). Average compound sentiment scores were negative throughout the 16 weeks for topics: post-vaccination symptoms and side effects, and hoax/conspiracy. However, consistent positive sentiment scores were observed for the topics: vaccination disclosure, vaccine efficacy, clinical trials and approvals, affordability, policy/regulation,distribution and shortage, travel, appointment and scheduling, vaccination sites, advocacy, opinion leaders and endorsement, and gratitude to healthcare workers. Reversal in sentiment scores in a few weeks were observed for vaccination eligibility and hesitancy. CONCLUSIONS : Identification of dominant themes, topics, sentiments and changing trends about COVID-19 vaccination can aid governments and healthcare agencies to frame appropriate vaccination programs, policies and rollouts.

Whose Voice is Heard? West Bank News Framing in Israeli Mainstream and Alternative News Websites

2014 ◽  
pp. 85-115
Author(s):  
Keren Sereno
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Collective Identity ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
News Framing ◽  
Media Frames ◽  
Grounded Theory Method ◽  
News Websites ◽  
Political Protests ◽  
Social Protests

Alternative news Websites are a fascinating arena for studying the dynamics between politics, media, and activism. This chapter presents a comparison of news framing in Israeli mainstream news Websites versus Israeli alternative news Websites. To achieve this, 342 items which were published over the course of 14 months (November 2007-December 2008) in 8 Israeli media originations were coded. These items covered the demonstrations and direct actions against the Separation Fence near the Palestinian village of Ni'lin in which Israeli radical left activists took part. The items were coded by qualitative content analysis according to the principles of the Grounded Theory Method. The findings show considerable differences concerning the characters of quoted sources, media frames, coverage patterns, and linking strategies between the mainstream Websites (and print newspaper) and the alternative Websites. Out of those differences, 4 potential political functions that alternative news Websites can fulfill in radical political protests are identified: recruiting activists, consolidating a subversive political consciousness and strengthening the collective identity, building online network between colleague organizations, and distributing and storing controversial information. This research shows that in order to develop a deeper understanding of the role of new media in social protests, it is necessary to simultaneously rely on alternative media, theories, and studies in addition to the emerging knowledge regarding the characters and uses of the Internet in general.

Algorithmic Personalization and the Two-Step Flow of Communication

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oren Soffer
Keyword(s):  
Communication Theory ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Peer Groups ◽  
Opinion Leaders ◽  
Second Step ◽  
Original Theory ◽  
Step Flow ◽  
Social Settings ◽  
Communication Flow

Abstract This study examines the relevance of traditional mass communication’s two-step flow-of-communication theory in relation to algorithmic personalization. I compare the two-step flow theory’s concept of personalized content through opinion leaders with the current notion of personalized algorithms, arguing that opinion leaders and algorithms both function as gatekeeping agents. I also discuss the nature and role of peer groups in the two cases, arguing that while in the original theory, groups were seen as relatively solid (family, friends, and work colleagues), groups in the algorithmic era are much more liquid, transforming according to data inputs and users’ behavior. Finally, the article also considers differences in the source of authority of opinion leaders and algorithms in both eras, as well as the different social settings and public awareness in the second step of the communication flow.

scholarly journals Exploring the effect of Weibo opinion leaders on the dynamics of public opinion in China: A revisit of the two-step flow of communication

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Su
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Subjective Assessment ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Opinion Leaders ◽  
Emotional Intensity ◽  
Step Flow ◽  
Sleeper Effect

Using a random sample of posts on Weibo, this study content analyzes the extent to which Weibo opinion leaders’ tweets are associated with the shifts and variations of public opinion—in terms of topic salience, emotional reactions, agent of responsibility, motivation for condemnation, rhetorical techniques, conviction of blame, and emotional intensity—in the case of the Tianjin Explosion. Building upon a burgeoning research agenda examining the role of Chinese Weibo in the context of two-step flow, this study found that opinion leaders generally reinforce Weibo users’ subjective assessment (e.g., attitudes and emotional responses) of the incident. An overwhelming sleeper effect is also observed in that most posts by the opinion leaders did not contribute to peaks until 2–3 days later. All opinion leaders achieved between one and three peaks.

scholarly journals Centralized Management For Effective Public Diplomacy: Case of Hasabara

2015 ◽  
pp. 72-83
Author(s):  
V. V. Kabernik
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Public Diplomacy ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Jewish State ◽  
Centralized Management ◽  
Temporal Basis ◽  
Israeli Experience

The following paper is the first in the series dedicated to review and analysis of cases of centralization of public diplomacy affairs management for better promoting the agenda of the state. Introduction focuses on the erosion of traditional diplomatic practices shifting towards the stark attraction of soft power and public diplomacy. The evolution of modern public diplomacy in new media and the ways of its practical implementation reviewed, stating the raising power of non-government actors and mass media with their greater influence developing political agenda. The shift is analyzed on temporal basis bearing in mind inception of web 2.0 happening almost simultaneously with theoretical basis of soft power and the role of public diplomacy in propagating it. The case outlined in the first part reviews the evolution of Israeli's Hasbara - public diplomacy apparatus implemented in Jewish State. This evolution demonstrates the shift from decentralized management and coordination paradigm towards structured complex of measures led by government bodies. The sources and reasons for such a shift are being analyzed while national specifics for public diplomacy coordination is outlined. Results of the study underline the deficiencies of the chosen centralization paradigm via government bodies' control. The approach is being compared with the current practices implemented in Russia, outlining the best practices and mistakes to avoid that could be deducted from Israeli experience.

Chronic Pain: Fundamental Scientific Considerations, Specifically for Legal Claims

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Barth
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
General Medicine ◽  
Pain Syndrome ◽  
Problematic Relationship

Abstract Scientific findings have indicated that psychological and social factors are the driving forces behind most chronic benign pain presentations, especially in a claim context, and are relevant to at least three of the AMA Guides publications: AMA Guides to Evaluation of Disease and Injury Causation, AMA Guides to Work Ability and Return to Work, and AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. The author reviews and summarizes studies that have identified the dominant role of financial, psychological, and other non–general medicine factors in patients who report low back pain. For example, one meta-analysis found that compensation results in an increase in pain perception and a reduction in the ability to benefit from medical and psychological treatment. Other studies have found a correlation between the level of compensation and health outcomes (greater compensation is associated with worse outcomes), and legal systems that discourage compensation for pain produce better health outcomes. One study found that, among persons with carpal tunnel syndrome, claimants had worse outcomes than nonclaimants despite receiving more treatment; another examined the problematic relationship between complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and compensation and found that cases of CRPS are dominated by legal claims, a disparity that highlights the dominant role of compensation. Workers’ compensation claimants are almost never evaluated for personality disorders or mental illness. The article concludes with recommendations that evaluators can consider in individual cases.

The Role of New Media in Facilitating Entrepreneurship in Tourism - Case Study: Promoting Komodo Island in East Nusa Tenggara

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-72
Author(s):  
Dessy Kania
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Foreign Visitor ◽  
Printed Media ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
High Inflation ◽  
Tourism Destinations

Tourism is an important component of the Indonesian economy as well as a significant source of the country’s foreign exchange revenues. According to the Center of Data and Information - Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the growth of foreign visitor arrivals to Indonesia has increased rapidly by 9.61 percent since 2010 to the present. One of the most potential tourism destinations is Komodo Island located in East Nusa Tenggara. With the island’s unique qualities, which include the habitat of the Komodo dragons and beautiful and exotic marine life, it is likely to be one of the promising tourism destinations in Indonesia and in the world. In 1986, the island has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism continuously promotes many of the country’s natural potential in tourism through various media: printed media, television and especially new media. However, there are challenges for the Indonesian tourism industry in facilitating entrepreneurship skills among the local people in East Nusa Tenggara. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (2011), East Nusa Tenggara is considered as one of the poorest provinces in Indonesia where the economy is lower than the average, with a high inflation of 15%, and unemployment of 30%. This research is needed to explore further the phenomenon behind the above facts, aiming at examining the role of new media in facilitating entrepreneurship in the tourism industry in Komodo Island. The results of this study are expected to provide insights that can help local tourism in East Nusa Tenggara. Keywords: Tourism, Entrepreneurship, New Media

НЕКОТОРЫЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ РАСПРОСТРАНЕННОСТИ РЕСПИРАТОРНОЙ АЛЛЕРГИИ НА ЮГЕ РОССИИ

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.Sh. Macharadze
Keyword(s):  
Dominant Role ◽  
Pollen Allergy ◽  
Respiratory Allergy ◽  
House Dust Mites ◽  
Dust Mites ◽  
The Past ◽  
Regional Features ◽  
Respiratory Allergies ◽  
Southern Russia

В обзорной статье приведены данные по распространенности респираторной аллергии - аллергического ринита и бронхиальной астмы на юге России, опубликованные за последние десятилетия. Показана доминирующая роль пыльцевой аллергии практически во всем южном регионе России. В Чеченской Республике у больных респираторной аллергией обнаружена сходная частота встречаемости сенсибилизации к клещам домашней пыли и пыльце злаковых трав (51,1 и 52,5 соответственно), тогда как сенсибилизация к пыльце амброзии и полыни встречалась в 3 раза реже (26,6 и 20,7 соответственно) по сравнению с соседними регионами юга России. Эти данные демонстрируют климатогеографические, экологические и другие региональные особенности в распространении респираторной аллергии.The review article presents data on the prevalence of respiratory allergy - allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma in southern Russia, published over the past decades. The dominant role of pollen allergy is shown in almost the entire southern region of Russia. In the Chechen Republic, sensitization to house dust mites and grass pollen was found in patients with respiratory allergy equally (51.1 and 52.5, respectively), whereas ragweed and mugwort sensitization was 3 times less (26.6 and 20.7, respectively) compared with the neighboring regions of southern Russia. These data demonstrate climate-geographical, environmental and other regional features in the prevalence of respiratory allergies.

Stories from Ultrasonographic Abyss

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matylda Szewczyk
Keyword(s):  
Prenatal Care ◽  
New Media ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Prenatal Ultrasound ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Medical Imagery ◽  
The Future ◽  
Different Cultures

The article presents a reflection on the experience of prenatal ultrasound and on the nature of cultural beings, it creates. It exploits chosen ethnographic and cultural descriptions of prenatal ultrasounds in different cultures, as well as documentary and artistic reflections on medical imagery and new media technologies. It discusses different ways of defining the role of ultrasound in prenatal care and the cultural contexts build around it. Although the prenatal ultrasounds often function in the space of enormous tensions (although they are also supposed to give pleasure), it seems they will accompany us further in the future. It is worthwhile to find some new ways of describing them and to invent new cultural practices to deal with them.

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