Influence Public Perceptions Research Articles

Categorization of Narcomessages in Mexico: An Appraisal of the Attempts to Influence Public Perception and Policy Actions

The current article brings together the conclusions of an exercise carried out in an attempt to analyze and classify narcopropaganda, or “narcomessages” in Mexico. The analysis and classification of narcomessages is able to provide some insights about the motivations underlying the increase of violent attacks in the country; at the same time, the classification of these messages can help in the identification of those groups that are more likely to influence public perception and support public policy measures against them.

Strangers at home: the Sherley brothers and dramatic romance

The Travels of the Three English Brothers, a collaborative play by John Day, George Wilkins, and William Rowley first performed at the Red Bull Theatre in 1607, stages the adventures of the three Sherley brothers Thomas, Anthony, and Robert, focusing in particular on Anthony's tour around Europe as the ambassador of Shah Abbas I of Persia. Anthony was seeking to bring Christendom and Persia into an alliance that would encircle the Ottoman Empire – a political programme deeply controversial in a London that enjoyed strong trade links with the Ottoman Porte. Travels, which was commissioned by Thomas Sherley, sets out to influence public perception of the three brothers. Its defence of the Sherleys, this article argues, is fundamentally intertextual: the playwrights deliberately associate their heroes with preceding stage-heroes (often, the protagonists of plays staged at the Red Bull). Imposing generic principles on real historical narratives, Travels' playwrights shape the actions of the deeply individualistic Sherley brothers so that they resemble the undertakings of the patriotic heroes of popular dramatic romances such as Guy of Warwick and The Four Prentices of London. Not altogether successfully, they present the Sherleys as national heroes who deserve their countrymen's appreciation.

Special issue: societal aspects of synthetic biology

Special issue: societal aspects of synthetic biology

Echoes of Vietnam?

In the early stages of the counterinsurgency campaign in Iraq, military leaders resisted the release of body count and “casualty ratio” data. However, in the spring of 2004, the U.S. military (and American media) began to focus on the “limited” American casualties in specific operations versus the “significant” number of insurgents killed. This article examines the extent to which body count/casualty ratio “frames” and individual casualty tolerance influence public perceptions about the war and the success or failure of U.S. military operations. Two experiments were conducted pitting alternative casualty frames against one another to measure their relative impact. The results demonstrate the influence of framing effects on public perceptions and clarify understanding of the determinants and impact of casualty tolerance.

Utah Newspapers Take Different Approaches to Coverage of First Amendment Controversy

Despite standards of journalistic objectivity, some research suggests that media are often critical of religious organizations perceived as overly theocratic or intrusive on First Amendment rights.1 Such situation arose in 2002 over First Amendment dispute involving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon) and local actors. Recognizing that political and social hostility are rooted in different systems of moral understanding,2 this study compares how two competing Salt Lake City newspapers-one owned by the LDS Church (the Deseret News),3 the other not (The Salt Lake Tribune), covered controversy arising after the church and city lost First Amendment battle with the ACLU.BackgroundIn 1998, the church purchased one-block section of the city's Main Street and subsequently built an ecclesiastical park there. The agreement stipulated that the plaza would be designated as public easement between North and South Temple streets, but allowed the church to regulate speech and conduct that were inconsistent with LDS practices.4Contending that the restrictions violated First Amendment rights of individuals using the easement, the ACLU sued the city and church in 1999. Relying on property rights cases, District Judge Ted Stewart (an LDS member) ruled against the ACLU. On Oct. 9, 2002, the 10th Circuit-noting that the sidewalk easement was tantamount to public forum-reversed on First Amendment grounds. The ensuing debates centered on solution that would satisfy both the church and city officials.Literature ReviewThis study is grounded in the literature on newspaper framing and coverage of religion in particular. In short, framing is a central organizing idea for making sense of relevant issues and suggesting what is the issue.5 It is manifest when journalists select some aspects of perceived reality and make them more salient.6 Because journalists' frames can define and construct the issue, newspaper coverage may present slanted perspective by directing readers to consider certain facts and ignore others.7 Such frames can shape social discourse, advance agendas and influence public perceptions about issues and events.8What is salient in the coverage of religion? Underwood noted that the media are often hostile toward religious groups perceived as overly influential on politics.9 Two studies, for example, found that broadcast and print news coverage of fundamentalists emphasized conflict and their activities, resulting in stories that often portrayed them as intolerant and forceful in imposing their views on others.10The LDS Church has received similar media criticism. One commentator noted that the media often depict Mormons as fiercely reactionary and closed-minded.11 A recent study of media coverage during the Winter Olympic Games found that journalists portrayed Mormons as out of step with the rest of the country, while representing non-Mormon Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson as progressive liberal attempting to move Utah into the mainstream.12 More problematic for the church's image are repeated media references to its influence on Utah lawmakers.The Economist likened the LDS church to an 800-pound gorilla when describing its influence in Utah.13 Furthermore, former Salt Lake Tribune editor James E. Shelledy called Utah quasi theocracy in which LDS lawmakers typically follow the edicts of the church.14Research QuestionsThe literature on framing of religious groups and Mormons suggests that the LDS Church in Utah is particularly vulnerable to secular media frames critical of its role in politics. Also problematic for the church are criticisms the Tribune editor brought to the discourse. The Utah controversy is unique, however, because another contributor to that discourse is the LDS-owned Deseret News-a newspaper emphasizing secular news, while also targeting church members. …

The MST and the Media: Competing Images of the Brazilian Landless Farmworkers' Movement

AbstractFor social movements, coverage in the media is a mixed blessing; but like many movements, the Brazilian Landless Farmworkers' Movement (MST) actively seeks it out. Treatment of the MST in the Brazilian media is analyzed here using the concept of frame. That treatment is determined by a complex interaction between media producers and movement activists. The frames adopted by those on each side influence public perception of the movement. This study identifies five such underlying frames (mostly in print media but with attention to a television soap opera based on the MST's activities) and examines the images of the movement that they present. Though the coverage often presents the MST in a favorable light, it does not necessarily encourage the goal of mobilization that the movement seeks to promote.

The MST and the Media: Competing Images of the Brazilian Landless Farmworkers' Movement

For social movements, coverage in the media is a mixed blessing; but like many movements, the Brazilian Landless Farmworkers' Movement (MST) actively seeks it out. Treatment of the MST in the Brazilian media is analyzed here using the concept of frame. That treatment is determined by a complex interaction between media producers and movement activists. The frames adopted by those on each side influence public perception of the movement. This study identifies five such underlying frames (mostly in print media but with attention to a television soap opera based on the MST's activities) and examines the images of the movement that they present. Though the coverage often presents the MST in a favorable light, it does not necessarily encourage the goal of mobilization that the movement seeks to promote.

Language, Culture and Health: Using Proverbs to Tackle Gender Inequities in Health

It is well known that gender disparities affect human development. These disparities are far reaching and have a significant negative impact on health outcomes. This paper examines and demonstrates the use of proverbs as a learning tool to help health policy makers and service providers understand how deep-rooted sociocultural per spectives influence and shape public perceptions of gender roles. Many, if not most, public and private health care providers and planners are aware that the design and provision of health services should recognise the different constraints and opportunities men and woman face in attaining health, but they still encounter difficulty imple menting actions that take this into account. An analysis of proverbs can facilitate self-awareness of gender biases, and engage participants in deeper and more sincere dialogue about possible solutions that can lead to development of gender-sensitive health policy approaches better designed to result in improved gender equity in health.