In this discussion of a set of studies that fits the trope of "Indian Languages in Unexpected Places," I explore the obvious necessity of developing a relevant notion of linguistic "leakage" following a famous image from the writings of the linguistic anthropologist Edward Sapir. Though in its original use, the concept applied more to the order of…

Television is a major source of social knowledge, and the rhetorical study of such knowledge can contribute to the understanding of communication in a mass media society. This essay explores the usefulness of fantasy theme analysis in the rhetorical study of two joint news events, particularly the inaugural address. (PD)

One in a series of studies of experiments in new audiovisual techniques in Europe and the situations in some member countries, this paper traces the development of radio in Italy. Opposing views about radio broadcasting (public monopoly vs. freedom of broadcasting) are examined, and the various political and legal aspects of communications in…

Examines the history of U.S. political primaries, discusses Democratic Party reforms in the presidential nomination process since 1968, and cites important generalizations about how the process works today. States that the system lessens party leader influence, giving the media power to set public expectations and declare winners and losers. (GEA)

Stating that U.S. national political conventions have become media events which lack real decision-making significance, Alpert examines how ratifying conventions strategically define themselves and communicate their messages. Discusses factors such as: timing, host cities, convention facilities, media services, convention officers, speakers,…

This workshop summary offers a guide for women who are considering seeking public office. It covers pre-campaign concerns, development of a campaign plan, and keeping the campaign on target. While a campaign plan should be an anchor, it also should be a flexible tool that can be revised, if necessary. The document discusses "targeting,"…

Rural mainland China has undergone dramatic changes since the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949. The collectivization of agriculture basically altered the rural arrangement of conventional China. Using a series of mass media campaigns, Mao Tse-Tung to some extent transformed the traditional rural social system to what he envisioned as…

It has now become fashionable to base conservative social policy and political decisions on the reports of neoconservative social scientists. Thus, it is important to examine the political and historical context of the new Coleman report, which purports to have found evidence against busing for school desegregation. (Author/GC)

Discusses variables such as financial resources, political determinants, resistance to innovation, learning styles, student population, organizational and institutional structures, human resources, and communication, as possible factors which detain adequate development of the open university in Latin America. Nineteen references are listed.…

It is widely believed that poetry in the Soviet Union has lost its place to newspapers and periodicals that have robbed literature of its readers. Prior to glasnost, non-official literature in the Soviet Union was more than a literary event; it was often the only mode of political discourse available to the literate public. This paper suggests…

A review of national presidential election campaigns since the passage of Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1934 indicates the inadequacies of that section and the need for its revision. Section 315 stipulates equal access to the mass media for all legally qualified political candidates. Basically, the difficulty with Section 315 is that it…

Presidential candidates in the United States tend to seek consensus rather than to try to discover new answers to problems and to convince voters that they should be elected to implement those answers. Reporters in the mass media emphasize objectivity and fairness in their reporting. This emphasis produces an intense interest in the…

The present "crisis of leadership" in the United States presidency owes much to a communication environment that undermines the politician's ability to behave like and be perceived as a traditional "great leader." Through constant electronic coverage politicians' freedom to isolate themselves from their audience has been…

Examines the media depiction of the political climate in the 1970s as increasingly conservative, despite insubstantial evidence for the claim. (PD)

In Iran and Egypt, preaching from the pulpit has existed as a distinct medium of public communication for centuries. Studying such traditional institutions could reveal a model of public communication which might be most effective in a developing society. (PD)