Some scholars and others are skeptical of a significant role for the Internet in processes of violent radicalization. There is increasing concern on the part of other scholars, and increasingly also policymakers and publics, that easy availability of violent extremist content online may have violent radicalizing effects. This article identifies a number of core questions regarding the interaction of violent extremism and terrorism and the Internet, particularly social media, that have yet to be adequately addressed and supplies a series of six follow-up suggestions, flowing from these questions, for progressing research in this area. These suggestions relate to (1) widening the range of types of violent online extremism being studied beyond violent jihadis; (2) engaging in more comparative research, not just across ideologies, but also groups, countries, languages, and social media platforms; (3) deepening our analyses to include interviewing and virtual ethnographic approaches; (4) up-scaling or ...

https://tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/1057610X.2016.1157408

Determining the Role of the Internet in Violent Extremism and Terrorism: Six Suggestions for Progressing Research

Security-based diplomacy influencing transnational terrorism management between kenya and somalia

This study explored cyberbullying and cybervictimization (CBCV), for adolescents aged 11–15 from Tanzania (N = 426) and Canada (N = 592) Measurement invariance and model invariance was found for CBCV In addition, multigroup structural equation modeling was used to explore several variables: age, gender, average hours online each day, accessing the Internet in a private location, having online privacy concerns, going online for social purposes, and motivation for cyberbullying Results found interesting patterns within each country It was found that cellphone ownership moderated the relation between these predictor variables and reported incidences of CBCV uniquely for each country These findings provide evidence for the global nature of cyberbullying

Cyberbullying and Cybervictimization Within a Cross‐Cultural Context: A Study of Canadian and Tanzanian Adolescents

This article poses an unsettling question. Was Hitler’s regime not so much a historical accident as a prototype—a creation of modernity and a response to the conditions precipitated by modernity? It constructs an answer via the exploration of the interdependency of a number of constructs. Through the building blocks of symbolism the propagandist constructs an imaginary world that is neither true nor false, but a pseudo-reality energised by the emotion of fear and both defined and constricted by ideology and beliefs. The article highlights significant differences between this Nazi prototype and modern practice to be taken into account. For example the Nazis had no theory of soft power; however, they were much more aware of the value of entertainment as propaganda than contemporary populist autocracies. The article promotes a rigorous examination of the evidence for the ‘impact’ of propaganda—How effective is it really?—and the need for a more sophisticated understanding of its effects and purpose.

Strategic communications in international relations: Practical traps and ethical puzzles

This rapid evidence review examines adolescents’ access to and use of digital media (especially mobile phones and the internet), together with the associated digital skills and practices, opportunities and risks, and forms of safety mediation, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The review is especially concerned with 10- to 14-year-old girls’ digital media uses, although little evidence specifically addressed this group. It is guided by two overarching research questions: 1. What do scholars and practitioners know about how young adolescents are using digital media (computers, mobile phones and other information and communication technologies, ICTs) and the key challenges these children face? What are the opportunities involved in their use of such media and what are most significant gaps in our knowledge? 2. What evidence is there of local, national and international development programmes’ effective use of digital media to target 10- to 14-year-olds (rather than older adolescents)? What are the most significant gaps in the existing knowledge about these interventions and their outcomes?

Young adolescents and digital media: uses, risks and opportunities in low- and middle-income countries: a rapid evidence review

With rising numbers of Facebook, Twitter and MXit users, Africa is increasingly gaining prominence in the sphere of social networking. Social media is increasingly becoming main stream; serving as important tools for facilitating interpersonal communication, business and educational activities. Qualitative analyses of relevant secondary data show that children and youths aged between 13 and 30 constitute Africa's heaviest users of social media. Media reports have revealed cases of abuse on social media by youths. Social networks have severally been used as tools for perpetuating crimes such as; cyberbullying and violence against girls and women. This study proposes a `Culture-centered Approach' to the use of social media in a bid to minimize these cybercrimes and encourage the responsible use of social media amongst African youths. The Culture-centered Approach, which incorporates the tenets of Information Ethics, stresses the need for the respect of the dignity and rights of other online users as well the application of good cultural values and ethical behavior while on social media platforms.

African youths and the dangers of social networking: a culture-centered approach to using social media

The 21st century can be described as fast-paced, media-saturated, highly interconnected, and, sadly, an era of rising terrorism. The past 14 years have witnessed an increase in the number of new terrorist groups and the violent radicalization of previously religious extremists groups. Individual attacks by terrorists and their sympathizers have become more frequent. The memories of the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris and the Sydney and Copenhagen attacks in just the first months of 2015 leave the world wondering what could happen next as terrorist ideologies transmitted locally are increasingly having global effects.

/pdf/cristina-archetti-understanding-terrorism-in-the-age-of-2ay8ap0cwz.pdf

Cristina Archetti, Understanding Terrorism in the Age of Global Media: A Communication Approach

New media are increasingly providing spaces and opportunities for media houses and activist groups engaged in socio-political reform in Africa. In Nigeria, social media are becoming platforms for communicating messages of resistance against oppressive political and exploitative economic power structures. This study analyzed Ogas at the top (OATT), an online puppetry series by Buni TV, as a way of examining new platforms and message content in Nigeria’s rapidly changing media sphere. Relying on semiotics and critical discourse analysis perspectives, the study analyzed select episodes of the series, to gauge how producers constructed powerful visual and linguistic messages to boldly satirize social injustices perpetrated by Nigeria’s political elites.

New media–new voices: satirical representations of Nigeria’s socio-politics in Ogas at the top

For almost two decades, The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been on a mission to boost its culture sector through projects that promote cultural enrichment, openness and tolerance, a move from previously conservative notions. This new cultural movement has witnessed the birth of several new museums of which Louvre Abu Dhabi stands out as a museum that celebrates global cultures. In the wake of new media technologies and new online audiences, museums need to carefully plan their communication strategy. A mixed analysis of data revealed Louvre Abu Dhabi’s strategic use of social media in its communication planning. The study observed the use of corporate foresight in media selection and strategic messaging through images, questions and audience anticipation. The study argues that social media plays a critical role in helping Louvre Abu Dhabi fulfill its cultural function of promoting intercultural understanding by providing platforms to attract audiences and gain feedback.

/pdf/louvre-abu-dhabi-social-media-and-socio-cultural-change-in-3clxtd5dcn.pdf

Louvre abu dhabi:social media and socio-cultural change in the uae

Radio remains an important mass medium in Nigeria and across Africa. Issues of power availability, internet connectivity, and media costs, make radio a highly sort after medium for public information. However, the potentials of radio in efforts to combat misinformation about COVID-19 are yet to be fully exploited in Nigeria. Extant efforts have mostly focused on live press briefings, TV programming, SMS, and social media messaging. Media sources show that the spread of misinformation about the pandemic in the country is rife. This chapter critically evaluates the state of radio in Nigeria and proposes various strategies for utilizing its resources in efforts to debunk and minimize the spread of misinformation, with wider implications for Africa.

/pdf/the-potentials-of-radio-in-combating-misinformation-about-4rcdy8i017.pdf

Philip Effiom Ephraim

Papers

African youths and the dangers of social networking: a culture-centered approach to using social media

Cristina Archetti, Understanding Terrorism in the Age of Global Media: A Communication Approach

New media–new voices: satirical representations of Nigeria’s socio-politics in Ogas at the top

Louvre abu dhabi:social media and socio-cultural change in the uae

The Potentials of Radio in Combating Misinformation about COVID-19 in Nigeria