Facebook and other social media have been hailed as delivering the promise of new, socially engaged educational experiences for students in undergraduate, self-directed, and other educational sectors. A theoretical and historical analysis of these media in the light of earlier media transformations, however, helps to situate and qualify this…

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…

An analysis of the Middle East news items covered by four newspapers and one television network revealed that the coverage was concentrated mostly on Israel, Egypt, and Iran; that most items were presented in a neutral fashion; and that more items were treated positively than negatively. (GT)

Many recent studies on computer-mediated communication (CMC) have addressed the question of orality and literacy. This article examines a relatively recent subgenre of CMC, that of written online sports commentary, that provides us with written CMC that is clearly based on firmly established oral genres, those of radio and television sports…

Concludes that government spokespersons, ranking politicians, and leaders of organized groups have better access to Canadian TV news outlets than do other people. (FL)

Reports results of a study of the extent to which a New York newspaper strike and a television blackout in the Netherlands caused feelings of frustration related to basic need gratifications, as well as the extent to which the observed gratification frustrations explained general irritation about missing the newspaper or television. (GT)

A review of the current situation regarding the media flow between the United States and Australia shows that the traditional pattern--American content dominating the Australian media--still holds, but that there is evidence of movement by the Australians to establish their own media identity. An analysis of the television ratings for Australia's…

Examines the determinants and consequences of the Korean "Family Reunion Program" aired in June 1983. Compares the medium and audience involved to current definitions of media events. (MS)

Examines the audience experience with home video cassette recorders (VCRs) from the perspective of the active audience concept. Finds the orientation of Israeli VCR owners to VCRs is selective, somewhat involved, and generally productive of gratifications. Also finds the kinds and levels of activities associated with VCR use are moderately…

This paper deals with research on the effects of the promotion of reading by means of the mass medium television and refers to a study done on behalf of the Reading Association (Stichting Lezen) and the Foundation for the Collective Propaganda of Dutch Books (Stichting Collectieve Propaganda van het Nederlandse boek), two Dutch literary…

Eight brief research reports concerning, among other topics, the world news coverage of United States and international broadcasters, the image of the adolescent in the English press, the content of Taiwan's English and Chinese press, and newspaper inaccuracies and readers' perception of bias. (FL)

A Q-analysis of Egyptian elite groups identified three types of people: those oriented toward Egyptian media, particularly for entertainment value; those who distrust Egyptian media and prefer foreign media; and those who are essentially foreign-radio oriented but who get international information from Egyptian newspapers. (GW)

Reports that the advent of television in South Africa has brought about some marked changes in newspaper readership patterns, for the most part accelerating trends that had begun before it started. Notes that the single most significant trend is toward an ever-increasing Black readership. (GT)

The Mass Media Effects section of the proceedings contains the following eight papers: "The Spiral of Static: A Multivariate Analysis of a Public Opinion Theory Applied to Perception of Radio Station Popularity" (Terry Wedel and Tony Rimmer); "More Than Just Talk: Uses, Gratifications and the Telephone" (Garrett J. O'Keefe and…

A study examined the role of the mass media in the symbolization process (a process which was necessary to distract attention from the political and economic problems of the European Community and to enhance support of the powerless parliament) during the European election campaign of 1984 and whether symbolization strengthened the motivation for…