Communication Commons^™

What Can Reader Comments To News Online Contribute To Engagement And Interactivity? A Quantitative Approach, Brett A. Borton

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses the relationship between journalism and computer-mediated communication by exploring the degree to which newly empowered audience members are using the reader comment forum on newspaper websites to participate in democratic discourse - a key component of civic engagement. Twenty-first century journalism has evolved from the traditional asynchronous, 'one-to-many' model into a process involving producers, content and audiences. The interactive capabilities of Internet-based news products have enabled legacy media to connect with audiences in unprecedented fashion. Perhaps more than any other interactive platform, the reader comment forum on online news sites reflects the ideal of the 'public sphere,' …

Child Sexual Abuse In The Media: Is Institutional Failure To Blame?, Jane Long Weatherred

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents a longitudinal content analysis study of child sexual abuse (CSA) in the United States national news media from 2002 through 2012. It finds that the U.S. national news media have shifted their focus from individual level causes to societal level causes for CSA. This shift has implications for changes in institutional policies and child protection laws throughout the country.

That's News To Me: An Exploratory Study Of The Uses And Gratifications Of Current Events On Social Media Of 18-24 Year-Olds, John Vincent Karlis

Theses and Dissertations

Social media is a dominant news source among the college-age demographic (18-24). Inherent in news consumption on social media is current events, that is, news that has individual relevance, societal relevance and is time constrained. This study adds to the existing body of uses and gratification literature. This one-shot exploratory study is the first of its kind, examining the "what" or different dimensions of news and the "why" or uses and gratifications that 18-24 year-olds use current events on social media. It also looked at the factors predicting recall of current events on social media.

Using a survey of 896 …

The Corporation In The Marketplace Of Ideas: The Law And Economics Of Corporate Political Speech, Matthew W. Telleen

Theses and Dissertations

In 2010, the Supreme Court decided Citizens United v. FEC, and raised the ire of commentators around the country. The President even criticized the ruling during the State of the Union Address. But corporate political speech has existed at various levels throughout history, and the debate is often clouded by complex balancing tests and convoluted reasoning. In this dissertation, the methodology of law and economics is utilized to analyze the value of corporate political speech to the marketplace of ideas. Chapter 1 introduces Tracing the history of Supreme Court decisions dealing with corporate political speech, variables can be isolated that …

Political Advertising In Kuwait - A Functional Discourse Analysis, Jasem Alqaseer

Theses and Dissertations

Most political advertising studies focus on the U.S. or other western democracies like the U.K. and other European countries. In general, political advertising studies focused on the content of political advertising especially on the subject of issues vs. images in advertising. In addition, many studies of political advertising content focus on the topic of negative advertising. The practice of political advertising has been found to vary depending on the political and media structure within a country as well as cultural and legal elements. Therefore, the gap in the literature about the practice of political advertising in the Middle-East is worth …

The Westernization Of Advertisements Published In Kuwaiti Newspapers From 1992 To 2012; A Content Analysis, Farah Taleb Alrefai

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the degree of Westernization in advertisements published in major Kuwaiti daily newspapers over the past 21 years (1992-2012). Utilizing a quantitative content analysis, the diffusion of Westernization into the content and form of the advertisements was analyzed. Specifically, a sample of 584 advertisements published on the front pages of AlQabas and AlWatan Kuwaiti dailies from 1992 to 2012 were examined. The advertisements were analyzed to detect the increase and/or decrease of the presence of 12 Westernization attributes. These attributes are: product/ brand origin (Western or local), Western models and or local models, …

Mental Health On Youtube: Exploring The Potential Of Interactive Media To Change Knowledge, Attitudes And Behaviors About Mental Health, Caroline Belser Foster

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation first examines the mental health content on the video-sharing site YouTube as a foundation for exploring the ways the mental health community (members and associates of the National Alliance on Mental Illness) have used, and may use, YouTube in the future for information seeking, social support seeking, information providing, and social support providing. Using a content analysis of a systematic sample of YouTube videos produced by the YouTube search engine for the terms 'mental health' and 'mental illness,' this study highlights types, topics and formats of mental health related content, including types of mental illnesses, as well as …

An Alternative Path: The Intellectual Legacy Of James W. Carey, Matthew Ross

Theses and Dissertations

The following is an inquiry into the intellectual Legacy of James W. Carey. This study locates, classifies and critiques the three most salient currents of his work: (1) His critique of the intellectual history of mass communications and the positivism of the media 'effects tradition,' (2) his North American cultural studies alternative to the dominant ways of knowing in his discipline, (3) and his technological criticism. All three of these currents are discussed and evaluated in terms of Carey's contribution to the discipline. While Carey was neglectful is his analysis of institutions and issues of political economy, the author argues …

Exploring A Paradigm Shift: The New York Times' Framing Of Sub-Saharan Africa In Stories Of Conflict, War And Development During The Cold War And Post-Cold War Eras, 1945-2009, Zadok Opero Ekimwere

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigated The New York Times' framing of sub-Saharan Africa during the Cold War and post-Cold War eras. The aim was to determine whether a paradigm shift has taken place in the way Western news media cover Africa following a change in the world view system from the Cold War to the post-Cold War. To look for frames, the research examined how The New York Times portrayed sub-Saharan Africa in stories of conflict, war and development.

.Framing analysis methodology was used to examine the stories and to search for frames. Findings showed that The New York Times used violence …

Alerting The Public During Food Product Recalls: Social Media's Impact On Organizational Reputation, Salita Demary

Theses and Dissertations

Crisis managers are constantly striving to find the best media outlets to reach the public in the event of a crisis or emergency and still maintain good public reputation. This researcher uses the food industry to examine the impact social media is having on the way the public is gathering news. This researcher will also study generational divides and how news gathering preferences differ among generational groups. This study also investigates the impact social media use has on organizational reputation in a crisis. A focus group and content analysis will serve as this study's qualitative measures and a surveymonkey.com survey …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Efficacy Of Nasa Media Relations Strategies And The Relationship To U.S. Space Policy, Julian Gibson

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes for this comparative analysis were to (a) compare the efficacy of NASA media relations strategies according to NASA's stakeholders and (b) reveal if these media relations strategies have a causal relationship or correlation with U.S. space policy. NASA employees reflected positive responses to questions related to the efficacy of NASA media relations strategies and the overall communications philosophy of the organization. Journalists who report on NASA through traditional and online channels had mixed responses toward the organizations media relations efforts during crisis situations like the Columbia and Challenger shuttle disasters. However, journalists were very supportive of NASA's dissemination …

The Impact Of Social Media On The Access Of Music Among Rowan University Students, Douglas Cohen

Theses and Dissertations

The study's primary goal was to determine the extent and impact of social media on Rowan University student's access of music. Social media and music have become a significant part of college student life. The vast majority of student age ranges from 18 to 24. The study's secondary goal was to determine if social media has replaced the traditional music label of feature films and whether it affects more males or females in the 18 to 24 year-old demographic. To ascertain both levels of data, the researcher used intercept surveys and questionnaires. The intercept surveys were administered to 400 Rowan …

Using Public Relations Techniques To Market Organic Food: Understanding Consumer Buying Behavior, Catherine Girone

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this research were to determine which consumers tend to purchase fresh organic food and which consumers tend to purchase packaged organic food, which type of messaging organic food distributors rely on to entice customers and which messages work most effectively to promote organic food consumption, and which channels different organic consumers use to gain knowledge about organic food. Implications for organic food marketing are discussed.

Public Relations 'Tech'niques: Vocational School Recruitment, Rachel Graeff

Theses and Dissertations

The problem is that the large majority of high school graduates pursue four-year college degrees when there are not enough professional jobs that require four-year degrees but rather require workers to have job-specific skills. These skills are taught by vocational schools at both the high school and the post-secondary levels. The purpose of this study was to determine what public relations techniques vocational schools use and how they can improve on these techniques to increase enrollment. Six in-depth interviews were conducted with PR/marketing practitioners at vocational schools to find out what techniques and channels their school uses to attract students. …

Consumer Perception Of The Efficacy Of Social Media Branding By Non-Profit And For-Profit Organizations, Melissa Novak

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this exploratory investigation were to (a) examine if organizations using social media maintain relationships with their loyal consumers, and do not direct their marketing toward new consumers, and (b) determine if non-profit organizations use social media more effectively and issue stronger call to actions than for-profit organizations. This study includes a survey of 234 participants, a content analysis of ten organizations, and interviews with eight professionals in the marketing and public relations field who work with social media on a daily basis. This study shows that although industry professionals enjoy the vast reach of social media and …

Social Media Influence On Evolving Health Care Marketing Communication, Michele Cash

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this investigation were to (a) determine how much of an impact social media has on health communication (b) understand the evolving impact of social media effectiveness and (c) consumer preferences for health care communication. The author conducted both qualitative and quantitative research. This research includes an in-depth interview, a survey and a website content analysis of two health care organizations in the Delaware Valley. This will provide health care organizations with communication techniques to use for current and future consumers. The research revealed that the majority of consumers prefer to hear messages from a trusted source. Both …

The Effects Of Technology On Interpersonal Relationships Among Rowan University Students Ages 18 - 25, Michelle Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to (a) determine how young adults are communicating with each other and (b) understand what is driving them to communicate using different methods of communication. After completing a literature review, the researcher conducted primary research using survey instruments and interviews. What people are trying to communicate determines how they are going to relay messages. The urgency of a message affects how respondents answer the message.

The Effect Of Presumed Media Influence On College Athletes, Justin E. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

In this article, I examine the notion that perceptions of media have a perceived effect on performance and morale on both the athlete and the team. I test this idea on a sample of college athletes at Nicholls State University (N=94), at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. Findings show that the presumed media influence is displayed in the context of athletics and that there are some indirect effects from one's perceptions of how their teammates were portrayed in the media. Research found that positive media had a perceived effect on the team but not on ones' self. Findings …

The Birth Of Radio In The American Sector (Rias)And Its Role During The Berlin Blockade, J. David Mecham

Theses and Dissertations

The ensuing chaos and power struggles between the East and West following the end of the Second World War in Germany set the stage for the creation of a unique radio station that would broadcast from behind the iron curtain for the duration of the cold war. RIAS, or Radio in the American Sector, would play a key role in the battle over ideology between the West and the Soviet Union. The story of RIAS' birth and development is a unique narrative of unintended consequences as the efforts of the Soviet Union to gain a monopoly over the airwaves of …

The Intersection Of Politics And Sports, Alexander Lawrence Curry

Theses and Dissertations

Candidates for public office expend a tremendous amount of time, energy, and financial resources in the hopes of connecting with voters. And because voters differ in their levels of political involvement, candidates need to utilize various avenues to make these connections with the electorate. One way that candidates convey their personal values and characteristics is by showcasing themselves as being involved in and knowledgeable about sports. This thesis utilized an experimental design to analyze whether a candidate's involvement in sports actually has an impact on how voters evaluate the candidate's image. Results indicated that voters' gender, as well as their …

Interactive Tv News: A New Delivery Method For Broadcast Television News, Trent R. Boulter

Theses and Dissertations

This project looks at the development and use of a new delivery system for broadcast television news and its relation to the Uses and Gratifications and Push/Pull Theories. An in-home study of interactive news was conducted for two weeks, allowing people access to three local and 5 national newscasts via one interactive newscast. Users were able to access the interactive newscast whenever and however they wanted via their television or computer, as long as they had an internet connection. The results of this study show how the system was used,what specific actions were taken, and where the potential lies for …

Power And Trust/Transparency: A Force To Be Reckoned With When Applied To Internal Strategic Communication In The Department Of Defense, Amanda Janette Seeley

Theses and Dissertations

This Master's thesis sets out to learn why internal strategic communication is not improving as quickly as one might hope in one office of the Department of Defense. Many articles support the need for improved internal strategic communication. But during the author's summer internship, she noted the communications team struggled to make this happen. The author therefore wondered why these communication professionals were not successful. What is hindering their success? Two earlier research papers showed trust, transparency, leadership, diversity and conflict were all connected to internal strategic communication- either positively or negatively. But one new theme arose from these studies: …

Engaged Or Just "Friends": Using Social Media For Membership Engagement Or Identity Management Through Group Affiliations, Emel Crawford

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study investigation was to ascertain the engagement levels of emerging-aged adults that affiliate and hold membership in groups both on and offline. In-person and online participation levels were examined, and motives for online activity on groups' social media pages were investigated to understand how profile identity formation played a role in emerging-aged adults' associations. Information acquired through this study assists in further examining Facebook and Twitter's influence on social capital production within groups. Group members demonstrated a preference for email and in-person communication over social networking sites, higher levels of offline engagement versus online, and an …

Influence Of Social Media Networks On Corporate Communication Strategies, Sylwia Majewski

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the use of social media networks for corporate marketing and communication by United States based companies. The researcher surveyed marketing, advertising, communications and sales professionals of nearly 80 companies and conducted in-depth interviews with four corporate marketing experts. Survey participants provided data about the extent of use of social media networks in corporate marketing and communication strategies and their effectiveness. The findings show that the majority of corporate marketing strategies (77%) incorporate the use of social media. The social media networks are also viewed as an effective means of communication.

The Impact Of Social Media Use On Fundraising As Reported By Nonprofit Organizations In Southern New Jersey, Rose Howerter

Theses and Dissertations

This research study examines the impact of social media use on fundraising activities as reported by nonprofit organizations within three southern New Jersey counties. The study does this by exploring the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of participating nonprofits toward social media use in fundraising and communication. The author surveyed 40 nonprofit organizations to discover the extent of their knowledge, attitudes and use of social media. The author designed a 30-question survey, posted it online at SurveyMonkey.com and contacted the selected population by email. By categorizing the participating nonprofits into two groups - nonprofits using social media and nonprofits not using …

The Journalistic Roles Of Arkansas Internment Camp Newspapers, 1942-45, Michael Guanella

Theses and Dissertations

The Japanese internment camps of World War II were small communities throughout the United States that utilized camp newspapers to distribute information to residents as any local newspaper. Under the unique operating circumstances, however, limitations were placed upon their operations. This thesis focuses on the Communique/The Denson Tribune and The Rohwer Outpost camp newspapers located at the Jerome and Rohwer, Arkansas internment camps respectively. These camp newspapers are evaluated based on their coverage in order to determine which roles of community, prison, and ethnic media were fulfilled, if any. After careful evaluation, the author argues that a limited number of …

Gay Marriage In The Utah And California Media: A Content Analysis Of Newspaper Frames Used In The Coverage Of Proposition 8, Michael Todd Hollingshead

Theses and Dissertations

This study is a content analysis of news frames used in the coverage of Proposition 8 by newspapers in Utah and California, spanning the three months prior to its passage in November 2008, to the three months after its passage. A total of 401 news stories from five newspapers were analyzed to examine which of five news frames (attribution of responsibility, human interest, conflict, morality, and economic consequence) were used most predominantly and if the use of those frames varied by newspaper. Conflict was the most predominantly used frame, followed by attribution of responsibility, morality, economic consequence and human interest. …

Community Journalists And Personal Relationships With Sources And Community Organizations, Richard G. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Community journalists, most of whom work and live in small towns, are likely to create personal relationships with sources and local organizations because of their proximity and involvement in the community. Such relationships may raise ethical questions that explore how journalists manage personal ties in the community. Using a grounded theory approach, the researcher analyzed 15 qualitative, in-depth interviews, this research examined ways in which journalists in six Western communities weigh their personal relationships against traditional journalism norms such as objectivity and detachment. Analysis of these interviews found community journalists fear conflicts of interest, and many of the interview subjects …

Attitudes Of Public Relations Professionals In Ukraine Toward The Problem Of Bribery, Liliya Velbovets

Theses and Dissertations

Ukraine, just as many other countries that were part of the former Soviet Union, is suffering from the problem of bribery. The public relations field in Ukraine is not immune to corruption, and bribery between public relations professionals and journalists is a well-known phenomenon. In the current qualitative study, the goal was to explore the attitudes of Ukrainian public relations professionals toward bribery and to create a guide for doing business in Ukraine. Through a semistructured survey, the researcher obtained the perceptions of Ukrainian public relations professionals toward bribery, including the definition of bribery, the differentiation between bribery and …

We Need To Talk: Persuasive Communication In Fireproof Ministries' Xxxchurch Anti-Pornography Campaign, Vauna L. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

The growing evidence of harm caused by pornography calls for interventions to counteract the influence of explicit sexual media. Fireproof Ministries conducts a major Christian anti-pornography campaign called XXXchurch. This case analysis of the campaign evaluated if the messages were appropriately designed in light of what persuasion research has discovered about motivating attitudinal and behavioral change. Theories about agenda setting, attitude accessibility, exemplars, evidence, cognitive dissonance, guilt, reactance, fear appeals, and self-efficacy were the basis of identifying the themes of the campaign, evaluating the credibility of XXXchurch, and assessing the theoretical foundation of the campaign. The study found three dominant …