Alongside a growing interest in knowledge mobilization (trying to increase the connection between research, policy and practice) there has been a transformation of how knowledge is produced, accessed and disseminated in light of the internet and social media strategies. Few studies have explored the use of social media for research dissemination.…

The literacy practices of many communities today show new ways of meaning making in the contemporary, technological and digital culture. A number of Malaysian adolescents belong to this culture. This pilot study reports the preliminary findings of a larger study aimed at describing the online activities of Malaysian adolescents. Fifty-four…

This ethnographic study explored the ways in which media, particularly television, connected with English language and literacy practices among Sudanese refugees in Michigan. Three families with young children participated in this study. Data collection included participant observation, interviews, and collection of artifacts over 18 months, with…

Studies how male Saudi Arabians sought and placed credibility in information sources about the Gulf War. Finds two groups: global-oriented, who were international radio-oriented; and village-oriented, primarily rural, who placed more trust in domestic media. Shows that all relied more heavily on broadcast media than on print media. (SR)

Provides an overview of the local radio phenomenon in Western European countries. Examines opportunities for access, control, and economic realities for three types of local radio (national, independent, and community), each of which was influenced in some fashion by illegal pirate stations. (KEH)

In 1997, the Nordic Information Centre for Media and Communication Research (Nordicom), with funding from UNESCO and the government of Sweden, created the UNESCO International Clearinghouse on Children and Violence on the Screen. The Clearinghouse contributes to and clarifies knowledge on, children, young people, and media violence, based on the…

Examines the broadcasting experiences of Aboriginal radio in Australia with respect to the "cultural dependency" of a non-Western group within a Western culture. Finds a variety of problems facing a maturing media in the areas of professionalism, knowledge of audience, and communicational relationship between the majority and minority…

Examines gratifications associated with home video cassette recorder (VCR) use among Israeli school children. Finds that while the VCR is often used, it has not achieved any special priority in its perceived utility to gratify various needs. (MS)

As yet, little research exists in Germany on the influence of public relations on news coverage, although for years American studies have shown that public relations widely determine media content. A study in Germany examined the qualities of news coverage as influenced by public relations efforts. Local media coverage (201 articles) in Munich…

A secondary analysis of the "1987 Australian Election Study" examined differences in levels of partisanship, political interest, campaign media use, and the importance voters attach to media use, for voters who make up their minds during and before the campaign. Results suggest that voters who make their choice during the campaign are…

A study replicated a 1994 study, "College Students' Media Habits: A National Study." In the present study, Lithuanian university students' media habits relative to American students' media habits were gauged. A total of 1500 survey questionnaires were distributed to 7 of the 16 Lithuanian universities. Background biographical questions…

Describes a study of the social dynamics of new media (television, personal computers, CD-ROMs, Internet, email, and World Wide Web) in Scottish households. Analysis of interview transcripts from group conversations revealed recurrent narratives and behavioral genres to navigate social space that contribute to a theory of social informatics in the…

Presents preliminary results from a survey of 15- to 17-year-old Australians, exploring television's place within a rapidly expanding multimedia environment. Finds strong evidence for arguing that Australian youth's media use is currently in a state of flux. Lays foundations for more comprehensive studies of youth media use in Australia that might…

The More Miscellaneous Studies section of the proceedings contains the following 34 papers: "The Louisville Courier-Journal's News Content after Purchase by Gannett" (Hansen and Coulson); "Reflection of Cultural Values in Advertising: A Comparative Analysis of Taiwan and U.S. Advertising" (Zandpour and Qian); "Sex,…

Most mass media research in Japan focuses on the influence of mass communication on society as a whole; these "macro" theories typically employ traditional social science techniques. Reasons for this situation are examined, as well as how media researchers outside of Japan might learn from the Japanese perspectives about the role and…