Communication Commons^™

On Making Public Policy With Publicly Available Data: The Case Of U.S. Communications Policymaking, Joe Karaganis, Philip M. Napoli

McGannon Center Research Resources

No abstract provided.

A Diversity Policy Model And Assessment: Debates And Challenges Of [Media] Diversity, Kim Mccann

McGannon Center Research Resources

No abstract provided.

The Future Of Journalism Is Not In The Past: Reframing The Debate Over How To "Save" Journalism, Mark Cooper

McGannon Center Working Paper Series

No abstract provided.

I Know What You Did Last Summer: The Ballot Initiative And Voter Turnout, Shayne Henry

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

“Know Thy Neighbor,” a public interest group established in 2005, has grabbed headlines in recent years for making public (or threatening to make public) the names of hundreds of thousands of registered voters who signed petitions qualifying anti-gay rights measures for state general election ballots in Massachusetts, Florida, Arkansas, Oregon, and Washington. These names, together with the mailing addresses, birthdates, and dates of signature for each signer, have long been public information in most states, but never before have they been put into a format (i.e., searchable, online databases) making them easy to access and analyze. In this pilot project, …

Advertisers' Adherence To The Ftc's Green Guides: A Content Analysis Of Environmental Marketing Claims, Charlotte Muse

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

In 1992, the Federal Trade Commission created the Guides for Use of Environmental Market Claims, with revisions made in 1996 and 1998. The Guides designate how the Commission applies Section 5 of the FTC Act, which prevents unfair or deceptive practices, to environmental claims. Based on the increased proliferation of environmental marketing claims, the FTC has decided to again revise the Guides. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the environmental claims present in print advertisements are included in the current FTC Guides and whether the qualifying language surrounding claims is acceptable, poorly explained, not explained, or meaningless. …

Blues Tourism In The Mississippi Delta: The Functions Of Blues Festivals, Stephen A. King

Stephen A. King

No abstract provided.

From Viruses To Russian Roulette To Dance: A Rhetorical Critique And Creation Of Genetic Metaphors, Marita Gronnvoll

Marita Gronnvoll

This essay critiques and creates metaphoric genetic rhetoric by examining metaphors for genes used by representatives of the lay American public. We assess these metaphors with a new rhetorical orientation that we developed by building onto work by Robert Ivie and social scientific qualitative studies of audiences. Specifically, our analysis reveals three themes of genetic metaphors, with the first two appearing most frequently: 1) genes as a disease or problem 2) genes as fire or bomb, and 3) genes as gambling. We not only discuss the problems and untapped potential of these metaphors, but also we suggest metaphorically understanding genes …

Putting Privilege Into Practice Through "Intersectional Reflexivity:" Ruminations, Interventions, And Possibilities, Richard G. Jones

Richard G. Jones

Engaging in intersectional reflexivity requires one to acknowledge one :S intersecting identities, both marginalized and privileged, and then employ self-reflexivity, which moves one beyond self-reflection to the often uncomfortable level of self-implication. This complex process may move critically minded people, both scholars and citizens, beyond individualized politics and expand our accountability from self, to others and self, creating possibilities for coalitional activism targeted toward broad-based social change. Further, privileged scholars should advocate for coalition building in cautious and reflexive ways that complement rather than appropriate the intellectual labor of scholars of color, who have long called for more intersectionality and …

Theorizing The Transcendent Persona: Amelia Earhart’S Vision In The Fun Of It, Robin E. Jensen, Erin F. Doss, Claudia Irene Janssen, Sherrema A. Bower

Claudia I. Janssen Danyi, PhD

In this article, we define and theorize the ‘‘transcendent persona,’’ a discursive strategy in which a rhetor draws from a boundary-breaking accomplishment and utilizes the symbolic capital of that feat to persuasively delineate unconventional ways of communicating and behaving in society. Aviator Amelia Earhart’s autobiography The Fun of It (1932) functions as an instructive representative anecdote of this concept and demonstrates that the transcendent persona’s persuasive force hinges on one’s ability to balance distance from audiences with similarities to them. Striking such a balance creates a platform for rhetors to promote transformative visions of society. Earhart utilized the transcendent persona …

Semantics Centric Solutions For Application And Data Portability In Cloud Computing, Ajith Harshana Ranabahu, Amit P. Sheth

Kno.e.sis Publications

Cloud computing has become one of the key considerations both in academia and industry. Cheap, seemingly unlimited computing resources that can be allocated almost instantaneously and pay-as-you-go pricing schemes are some of the reasons for the success of Cloud computing. The Cloud computing landscape, however, is plagued by many issues hindering adoption. One such issue is vendor lock-in, forcing the Cloud users to adhere to one service provider in terms of data and application logic. Semantic Web has been an important research area that has seen significant attention from both academic and industrial researchers. One key property of Semantic Web …

Acceptance, Communication Mode And Use Of Audio Computer- Assisted Self Interview Using Touchscreen To Identify Risk Factors Among Pregnant Minority Women, Jutta S. Thornberry, Kennan B. Murray, M. Nabil El-Khorazaty, Michele Kiely

Publications and Research

This paper evaluates the acceptability, communication mode and use of audio computer-assisted self-interview (A-CASI) among minority pregnant women receiving prenatal care in six Washington, DC sites. A total of 2,913 women were screened for demographic eligibility (18+ years old,gestation, Black/African-American or Hispanic) and risk (smoking, environmental tobacco smoke exposure, depression, intimate partner violence). Questions were displayed on touch screen laptop monitors and heard through earphones. The mean length of time to complete the screener was almost 6 minutes.

A-CASI experience, which included difficulty in using the computer, acceptability (enjoyment), and preferred communication mode, was compared across sites, the eligibility and …

Social Media Under Social Control: Regulating Social Media And The Future Of Socialization, Susan Currie Sivek

Faculty Publications

The process of socialization for new and future journalists will look dramatically different from the process undergone by previous generations of journalists, due to economic realities and changes in the nature of news production. The rise of social media and its role in the establishment of a successful career will also affect the integration of these rising professionals into their employing organizations. These changes in the socialization process will require alterations both in the day-to-day management of these individuals and in the theoretical approaches to studying their work, particularly with regard to the impact of social media on the profession. …

"With The Support Of Listeners Like You": Lessons From U.S. Public Radio, Alan G. Stavitsky, Michael Huntsberger

Faculty Publications

This chapter provides an assessment of public broadcasting in the United States. It asserts that European public service broadcasting (PSB) could learn from U.S. practices that may prove to be particularly relevant in the current PSB climate.

The Development Sportswriter: Covering African Football, Richard J. Peltz-Steele

Faculty Publications

Football is Africa’s game, but performance in world competition reveals the sport as metaphor for African development is stymied by political corruption, infrastructure deficiency, and neo-colonial exploitation. The media-sport complex has perpetuated this cycle. Development journalism contrarily posits media as a force for good. Where the ideal of objectivity dominates traditional news, development journalism stresses nation-building. However, emphasizing news, development journalism overlooks the powerful role of sport in African life. Through meta-analysis, this article compares the values and practices of development journalism and of sportswriting. The article concludes that sportswriters are well positioned to act as development journalists. As mediator …

Exploring Science Through Media: The Omaha Science Media Project 2009-2010, Belita Kalala, Scott Barry, Rebecca Aiken, Soo Hui-Lee, Mary Claire Rice, Elizabeth Gamez, Nkem Kalu, Amy Struthers, Adam Wagler, Bruce Mitchell, Julie Nichols

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Advertising Projects

The Omaha Science Media Project represents the efforts of more than a hundred people across eight organizations. Working together, these individuals explored innovations in teaching and learning science that challenged and contributed to Omaha’s learning community. This program owes tremendous gratitude to Katie Weitz White and the Sherwood Foundation for their vision, support, and enthusiasm. The Sherwood Foundation’s work has been critical to inspiring students, energizing teachers, and building strong programs for all. We also thank the Omaha Schools Foundation for its guidance and support. The project’s principal investigator is Judy Diamond, Ph.D., Professor and Curator of Informal Science Education …

State Farm: "Talk To An Agent", Tyler Thomas, Jessica Williams, Kate Stevenson, Kala Mosel, Derek Dillon, Chelsea Thompson, Shea Samani, Katie Sorensen, Matthew Berg, Jennifer Larson, Aaron Jarosh, Kyle Stebbins, Mike Sammons, Daniel Scheyer, Sara Leimbach, Doug Flegle, Brett Tesmer, Maggie Geist, Will Sharpe, Jamie Ksieski, Nicholas Huff, Andrew Ciaccio, Drew Guiney, Michael Taylor, Erin Sorensen, Phil Willet

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Advertising Projects

Established in 1922, State Farm has become a trustworthy, reliable company that prides itself on the dedication of its agents and their ability to provide personalized insurance policies. Even though State Farm leads the insurance industry, the company is struggling to gain customers in the 18-25 year old demographic.

As a part of this demographic, many of us were guilty of quickly purchasing our insurance policies online. We thought that we had the coverage we needed — that was before we talked to an agent. In one hour, local State Farm agent Vincon Krikac changed 25 minds. We learned how …

90.3 Krnu Get Indied, Power Of X (Ten)

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Advertising Projects

Situation Analysis Since KRNU first started experimenting with broadcasting over 80 years ago, the University of Nebraska—Lincoln has recognized the importance independent radio stations play in a college community. For the last 20 years, 90.3 KRNU has relied on a format of alternative/indie music mixed with eclectic specialty shows. Through our research we discovered that 90.3 KRNU no longer has top-of-mind awareness among its target audience, which is primarily UNL students. Rick Alloway, KRNU station manager, saw the need for things to change. Through the collaboration of UNL supporters and KRNU supporters alike, it was decided that the station format …

Grades 11-12 Short Stories, Lauren Russo

English

Within a unit dedicated to reading, writing, and analyzing short stories, the lesson explores the key elements in composing engaging work. Students are given a multiplicity of activities to explore and determine what makes the short story, "Lost in the Woods" a thrilling tale. The activities serve to enhance their knowledge of the methods and techniques behind good short story writing.

Greenstar Social Marketing Private-Sector Activities In Paiman Project: Process Evaluation Of Greenstar Social Marketing Initiatives To Improve And Expand Maternal And Newborn Health Services And Coverage, Munir Afridi

Reproductive Health

The Population Council provided support for this process evaluation of Greenstar Social Marketing which established a healthcare private provider network (GoodLife clinics) primarily in the urban areas in 10 districts of the PAIMAN project in Pakistan. This network provides maternal and newborn health and reproductive health and family planning services and products. The information collected in this survey points to areas where Greenstar strategies are close to being fully met as well as to areas where the strategies are not being met. The detailed findings should allow Greenstar to focus on those areas most in need of attention: all groups—provider, …

Women At Work And Home: New Technologies And Labor Among Minority Women In Seelampur, Sreela Sarkar

Communication

This study follows Seelampur women who participate in the ICTD project at the Gender Resource Center from the doorsteps of the ICT center into their everyday lives. This paper explores the impact of new technologies on minority women and work in the resettlement colony of Seelampur and other institutional sites of labor through an extended period of fieldwork observations and interviews. One of the main aims of the Seelampur ICT and development project is to empower minority women to participate with equity in the modern labor force. How does work and participation in the labor force change for Seelampur women …