Communication Media Research Articles

How factchecking organizations can partner within public health for a healthier internet

Abstract Background Health concerns, narratives and misinformation are growing in digital spaces, which makes them also a vulnerability to being hijacked by disinformation. A workshop was held at GlobalFact11, the global factchecking summit, to take a pulse among the participants on their exposure and work with health misinformation, provide a public health perspective on the role of factchecking, and equip participants with building a business case for developing health-related factchecking programmes. Methods A pre-summit survey of IFCN members and summit participants was conducted to better tune the design of the discussion in the workshop. The workshop included interactive polling and a discussion of case-based scenarios and real-world examples. Results A business case for investing into health-claim fact-checking can consider needs of public health organizations from a variety of perspectives. (1) The global health security agenda, and the politicization of health and hijacking in disinformation influence campaigns; (2) Contributing data for public health infodemic insights reports in formats that provide value to fact-checking in public health context; (3) Developing community resilience programmes by combining fact-checking with community-based interventions; (4) Building partnerships with public health organizations (for fact-checking, capacity building, community media and information literacy, research). Conclusions Many fact-checking organizations got involved in public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they want to access more public health expertise, tools, and partnership modalities that would enable them a more sustainable effort in covering health topics, especially beyond infectious disease.

Religious Belief: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis on the Experience of Minority Students in Implementing Religious Education

This study aims to explore students’ minority experiences while participating in religious education (RE). An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to answer the objective questions. Data were collected using the undergraduates’ diaries and in-depth interviews with 9 senior high school students which were selected by purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was used to categorize the information obtained. The result showed the three major themes that emerge in the IPA analysis, which include the strength of faith, basic knowledge, and a sense of religion. The finding interprets that informants have complete belief in the God they worship because of the basic understanding of religion that has been obtained from the family, community, and social media, even informants’ religious participation and activities have reached the level of sense. This study explains how the informants stand firm in worshipping their God despite receiving RE in various schools. This study concludes that even though informants are in a minority environment, they can still get religious education that is appropriate to their conditions through diverse activities and upholding the values of differences.

Consumers’ attitudes towards healthy eating: a qualitative comparison between older and younger Chinese consumers

PurposeUnhealthy diets are associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases and present a significant public health challenge. When developing effective interventions and policies, consideration must be given to the unique social culture in which food choice is embedded. Health vulnerabilities to poor nutrition exist throughout life but may be influenced by socio-cultural factors such as age. This study aimed to assess the attitudes of older or younger Chinese consumers towards healthy eating and explore the factors influencing their food choices.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted in Wuhan, China, with 20 consumers aged 18–25 (Group A) and 20 consumers aged 65 and over (Group B).FindingsThematic analysis revealed that the two groups had positive attitudes towards healthy eating, although Group A participants were more knowledgeable. Time pressure, food prices and social networks differentially influence healthy eating practices across age groups.Originality/valueGiven China’s economic and cultural context, healthy eating interventions should consider the individual characteristics and food preferences of the different age groups. This approach can optimize targeted healthy eating interventions, and media communications related to healthy eating.

The effectiveness of social media communication of sustainable fashion brands: evidence from consumer engagement

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to identify how sustainable fashion brands communicate with consumers on social media, specifically, Instagram. By applying a data mining technique to analyze brand posts and consumer comments, we thoroughly examine how consumers engage with sustainable messages from each brand and how those engagements are associated with brand posts. A sample of six sustainable fashion brands was selected, including Eileen Fisher, Everlane, Girlfriend Collective, Patagonia, Reformation, and Stella McCartney. Public posts of the six brands and corresponding consumer comments on Instagram between November 1, 2019 and November 1, 2022 were collected. LDA (Latent Dirichlet Allocation) text mining technique was applied to extract topics from each brand’s posts and follower comments. A fixed effects linear panel model was then employed to examine if consumer comments are significantly associated with sustainable messages from each brand. Ten major sustainability-related themes were identified from brand posts, and four major sustainability-related themes were discovered from consumer comments. The linear panel results provide preliminary evidence that the sustainability-related themes from consumer comments are positively influenced by the sustainability-related themes from brand posts, indicating that brand posts indeed affect consumers’ opinions about sustainability.

A Pentahelix Model Approach: Creating Vilage Innovation Perception in Sokaraja Village Banyumas

The development of village innovation has become unsustainable, and the financial support provided by the government each year has become less effective in driving innovation. This study aims to identify the factors influencing village innovation development from the community’s perspective. The research was conducted in Sokaraja Village, Banyumas Regency, where two sub-tofu business group were selected: Tofu business group A, which has village assets, and Tofu business group B, which does not. Data was collected through a survey of 60 respondents, 30 from each tofu business group, chosen in collaboration with the village administration. The survey, conducted between January to May 2024, explored community perceptions using the Pentahelix model, which encompasses the roles of social institutions, government programs, market support, innovation sources, and communication media, across 22 indicators. Data was analyzed descriptively using Importance Performance Analysis (IPA). Although all aspects of the Pentahelix model play a vital role in fostering village innovation, several indicators still require performance improvement. Strengthening village-owned enterprises and empowering local economic institutions is crucial to enhancing innovation efforts, with the support of the village community and assistance from external stakeholders.

Promoting Upcycled Food: An analysis of social media communication strategies of Upcycled Food Association

Global food loss and waste are significant challenges in the food system, critical to addressing food insecurity and national security in the U.S. Upcycled food, which reduces waste at the source, is a promising solution. Social media offers both opportunities and challenges for communicating food benefits. This study examines publicly available data from Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter of a non-profit organization Upcycled Food Association (UFA) using content analysis and machine learning techniques. The analysis revealed that social media posts focused on promoting food waste awareness and benefits related to sustainability, health, and the economy, with environmental information being prioritized. UFA employs diverse impact information frames and uses positive emotion framing to increase food waste awareness and empower consumers by highlighting the impact of their purchasing power. Communication strategies are tailored to the unique characteristics of each social media platform and its users. We recommend social media initiatives continue emphasizing food waste awareness and upcycling, alongside increasing health information to encourage upcycled food consumption. Diverse strategies with diverse benefits and tailored to each platform's characteristics and sociodemographic groups are recommended. Future research can explore efficient topic modeling methods in larger datasets in social media analysis.

Enhancing Cross-Cultural Understanding: The Role of Digital Platforms in Cultural Exchange for Chinese Graduate Students at Northwestern University

The rapid growth of digital platforms has reshaped the educational-rich landscape, introducing dynamic ways of cultural exchange that transcend traditional boundaries. This paper explores the unique potential of online cultural exchange to promote cross-cultural understanding and community building for students, with a special focus on Chinese graduate students in Northwestern University during their short spring break. As global connectivity increases, it becomes increasingly important to leverage these digital tools to facilitate meaningful cultural interactions. This study argues that social media platforms play a key role in this effort, enabling students to engage in cultural exchange activities that are both convenient and impactful (Abbas et al., 2019). Integrating digital tools into educational and cultural environments has revolutionized the way students interact with different cultural experiences. Social media platforms, in particular, offer unparalleled opportunities for students to connect with peers from different cultures, share knowledge and engage in collaborative activities. These platforms provide a flexible and accessible means for students to immerse themselves in cultural learning outside of geographical constraints. Moreover, the interactivity of social media fosters a sense of community and common purpose, which is essential for successful cultural exchange programs. While there are many advantages to using social media for cultural communication, there are also significant challenges that need to be addressed. The potential for distraction, information overload, and reduced face-to-face interaction could undermine the effectiveness of these platforms in educational Settings. In addition, given the differences in social media usage patterns among different demographic groups, such as gender differences, it is critical to ensure that programs are inclusive and effective. This article aims to explore these complexities and offer solutions to maximize the benefits of social media while mitigating its drawbacks.

Komunikasi Persuasif dan Word of Mouth dalam Pemasaran Tabungan Haji Panin Dubai Syariah Bank

Marketing communication has the function of conveying information, persuading and reminding potential consumers of products and services for making purchasing decisions. The type of product, the target market for prospective consumers, the strength of the network owned and the company's ability in terms of promotion budget are aspects that need to be considered in determining the form and channel of marketing communication for a product. Persuasive communication plays an important role for the company's success in influencing prospective customers to respond and act according to what is expected in relation to product marketing. Word of mouth about the experiences of customers who have enjoyed the company's products and services forms word of mouth which is an effective communication medium in influencing the decision making of other prospective customers. This study uses a qualitative approach and is descriptive in nature, aims to describe and analyze the application of persuasive communication elements and word of mouth elements as a form and channel of marketing communication for Hajj Savings at Panin Dubai Syariah Bank. The data used in this study are primary and secondary data. Primary data was obtained from direct observation and interviews, while secondary data was obtained from the results of research that had been carried out by previous researchers and scientific reports contained in articles or journals regarding persuasive communication and word of mouth. The results of the study show that the elements of persuasive communication (claims, warrants and data) are implemented in verbal communication by the opinion leaders and non-verbally in the choice of media sentences to promote PDSB Hajj Savings products. Word of mouth elements (WoM Units, Participants, Venues, Actions and Outcomes) occur and are implemented in the interaction process both by opinion leaders to the community and Hajj Savings customers who have experienced PDSB Hajj Savings services to the surrounding community.

The Message Of Da'wah In Films And Criticism Of The Concept Of Reincarnation

The concept of reincarnation is often a controversial topic because it raises deep theological debates. Film, as a mass communication medium, has the potential to spread thoughts or beliefs, including reincarnation. One of the films that raises this theme is Along With Gods 2: The Last 49 Days, a production work from South Korea. Seeing the potential negative impact of the concept of reincarnation on Muslims, this study aims to analyse and criticise the concept based on the teachings of Islamic law—qualitative method with Charles Sander Peirce's semiological approach. The data obtained from the film were analysed using Peirce's semiotic theory through the analysis of the concept of trichotomy. The results of the study showed that there were 25 scenes related to reincarnation in the film, of which eight messages of faith and three moral messages were found that contained da'wah values. Criticism of the concept of reincarnation is based on its irrationality and contradiction with Islamic teachings. In Islam, resurrection is believed to occur on Yaumul Ba'ats, the day of resurrection to account for charity, and not in the form of rebirth in the world as depicted in the concept of reincarnation.

Strengthening uptake of breast cancer screening services in Tanzania; re-visiting the breast cancer screening messages

BackgroundBreast Cancer remains among the top five cancers responsible for morbidity and mortality globally. For many years, infectious (communicable) diseases were a primary concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared to higher-income countries, where non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were already a major concern. However, starting from the early 2000s, the LMICs including Tanzania has witnessed an epidemiological transition being equally affected by NCDs, and breast cancer, is among the prevalent NCDs. While the evidence is vast on the role of breast cancer screening messages in promoting screening, debunking myths, and addressing barriers to the uptake of breast cancer services, context-specific messages are limited. Amidst the changing technology, growth of social media and cultural dynamics, context-specific breast cancer screening messages are needed. We aimed to analyze the breast cancer screening messages from the experiences of women seeking care at Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Tanzania.MethodsAn exploratory qualitative case study adopting in-depth interviews (IDI) and focused group discussion (FGD) was carried out among purposefully selected women aged from 18 years to 65 years seeking care from Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Eighteen women participated in the IDIs, and 16 women participated in FGD. Data analysis followed inductive qualitative content analysis.FindingsThree main categories emerged: the existence of multiple sources of breast cancer screening messages, the strengths and weaknesses of breast cancer screening messages, and clients’ mixed perceptions of breast cancer screening messages.ConclusionThe findings of this study depict that although breast cancer screening promotion messages are regarded as a source of information about cancers, they fall short of completeness and relevance to the otherwise at-risk population and trigger negative perceptions toward screening. Therefore, this study advocates revisiting the breast cancer screening messages, employing participatory approaches to tailor the screening messages and communication media to fit specific audiences. This calls for re-designing both the content of the messages and means of delivery; thus, collaborative efforts are needed.

From Knowledge to Action: The Power of Green Communication and Social Media Engagement in Sustainable Food Consumption

Understanding what drives sustainable consumer behavior is crucial for effective green marketing strategies. We set out to explore the mechanisms explaining the relationships between environmental attitudes, perceived environmental knowledge, and green consumption values on consumer behaviors, specifically the mediating roles of receptivity to green communication and social media engagement with environmentally friendly firms. We also investigated the moderating role of information seeking in these relationships. Data were collected through a survey of 610 Greek respondents between May and July 2024 and analyzed using IBM SPSS and AMOS version 23. Findings show significant and positive paths between green consumption values and receptivity to green communication, e-word-of-mouth intention, food behavior, and other environmental behaviors, while receptivity to green communication and social media consumers’ engagement with environmentally friendly firms has a significant and positive impact on e-word-of-mouth intention and food behavior. Findings reveal that credible and detailed communication is essential for engaging information-seeking consumers, who are more critical of green messages.

Digital Communication Technology is not the Only Cause of Rapid Spread of Misinformation in Society

While achieving technological development in media communication, it is important to recognize the dual nature of technological advancement. This rapid development has led to a great threat of spreading misinformation, where ideas are no longer geographically restricted and spread globally at an unprecedented rate (Wang et al., 2019). Statistics from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) 2021 show that 62% of Internet users have seen untrue or suspicious content online Georgiev (2024). Many people believe that digital communication technologies are the only reason for the accelerated spread of misinformation. On the contrary, I believe that this view ignores the more complex political motivations, social, cultural, and psychological underpinnings. While technology itself is an important agent in the process of spreading misinformation, other factors are also integral. Therefore, I do not agree that the cause lies solely in digital communication technology, and this paper will illustrate how technological and social factors interact with each other through examples.

Relationship Between Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Body Composition Parameters in Older Adults from the Mediterranean Region.

In recent decades, the rapid spread of various communication media has led to changes in traditional eating habits. In the Mediterranean region, the classic (Mediterranean) dietary pattern has been lost as a result. This has led to a shift in eating habits towards unhealthy eating patterns, which in turn has resulted in an inadequate distribution of body composition. It is known that, among other things, the number of non-communicable diseases increases with the inadequate distribution of body composition. The aim of our study was to examine the level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) of older adults in the Mediterranean region in relation to specific body composition parameters. This study included 521 older adults with a mean age of 69.6 ± 6.3 years. Body composition was measured using the BIA 101 Anniversary device (Akern s.r.l., Florence, Italy) and adherence to the MD was assessed using the MEDLIFE index questionnaire. This study found significant differences in body composition between males and females. The mean adherence to the MD was 17.0 ± 3.3 points among the participants and there was higher adherence in females (p = 0.002, ηp2 = 0.019). A multiple linear regression was performed to assess the relationship between the body composition parameters and MD. Multiple linear regression models were significant for reactance, fat mass (%), fat-free mass (%), skeletal muscle index, and total body water (%), with specific individual MEDLIFE items such as the consumption of processed meat, meat, white meat, fruit, vegetables, olive oil and limiting snacks between meals. Moreover, promising correlations were found between certain MD characteristics and BIA parameters, but the overall health effects of the MD remain unclear.

Comparative dimensions of COVID-19 visual health literacy: social media news imagery in Germany and China

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted governments worldwide to utilise social media news platforms for disseminating critical public health information and safety protocols. Visual aids, including photographs, videos, charts, and infographics, played a key role in conveying health-related messages. However, there are variations in visual communication practices across countries, influenced by local health communication habits and cultural contexts. This study examines these variations in the visual health discourse that emerged in China and Germany during the pandemic, focusing on metaphorical mapping as a central analytical tool. We introduce the concept of “visual dataset fingerprints,” outlining the distinct composition of public health visuals on eight social news media platforms in Germany and China. Our descriptive analysis encompasses over 3700 digital visual media posts related to COVID-19, shared by leading national news media accounts in German, English, and Mandarin on microblogs in 2022. As a preliminary outcome of our study, we observe differences in image use based on the analysis of 1678 media posts by four Chinese outlets and 1329 media posts by four German outlets. These differences may reflect variations in how public opinion, perceptions, and attitudes toward COVID-19 policies are shaped across languages and cultures. Through its comparative visual analysis, our pilot study offers the potential for a new research approach to global healthcare communication in social news media and digital visual cultures.

Tapping into Gen Z Ways to Enhance E-learning and Meaningful Connections

Generation-Z born 2000-2009 (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2024) are comfortable with digital technology and connecting with one another using social media platforms. Regardless of this proficiency they may still experience challenges engaging with online learning especially around social cohesion, wellbeing and learning success. Other challenges they may encounter are communicating and interacting face-to-face in the workplace, which is a vital 21st Century graduate attribute. A growing societal concern is staff shortages and unfilled vacancies within the health sector. There are many factors influencing health care workforce shortages, but Generation-Z may be a good fit due to their growing awareness of societal concerns and willingness to upskill. This study seeks to investigate the enablers and barriers impacting Generation-Z nursing students’ ability to successfully engage with e-learning and to communicate effectively in face-to-face interactions within the workplace environment. Furthermore, this study seeks to explore the ways Generation- Z nursing students communicate and interact with each other on social media. The study will use a qualitative, social constructionism (making meaning in a social context) methodology. Methods include three focus group discussions with students aged 18-24 years, enrolled external/online in an undergraduate nursing program, with a minimum of one clinical placement completed or attempted. Data will be analysed using thematic analysis process proposed by Braun and Clarke (2022). Findings will inform e-learning design strategies that address the identified barriers and use the enablers to help Generation-Z successfully transfer their social media communication knowledge and skills to better engage with online learning, leading to higher satisfaction and completion rates. These strategies include supporting the transference of their fluent online social media communication skills to build and use meaningful connections relevant to the healthcare workplace that further supports the enablement of the graduate attribute, effective communicator.

Exploration of the Dissemination and Development of Guzheng Art in the New Era

With the development of the times and social changes, guzheng art, as an excellent traditional music culture in China, is facing new challenges of dissemination and development. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the communication status of guzheng art in the context of the new era, discuss the challenges and opportunities of its development, and propose strategies for innovation and development. Firstly, through the analysis of traditional and modern communication channels, it reveals the problems that exist in the communication process of guzheng art. Secondly, it discusses the impact of social change, cultural diversification and technological development on guzheng art, as well as the challenges and opportunities it faces. Then, the innovation and development strategies of guzheng art in the new era are proposed in terms of education promotion, work innovation, media communication and activity exchange. Then, through case analysis, it summarises the successful experiences of the dissemination and development of guzheng art at home and abroad, and discusses its inspiration for the development of guzheng art in China. Finally, this paper summarises the current situation and challenges of the dissemination and development of guzheng art in the new era, and looks forward to the future development trend of guzheng art.

To contract or not to contract: should we use pelvic floor muscle exercises in the treatment of dyspareunia

Pelvic floor physiotherapy incorporates pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises (PFMEs), i.e. various tasks involving contraction and relaxation. These are widely used as an integral part of conservative treatment for different pelvic health conditions (e.g. urinary incontinence). Currently, there is a debate about the adoption of PFMEs for pelvic pain conditions, specifically dyspareunia. The prevailing belief within both the physiotherapy community and wider social media platforms is that PFMEs for dyspareunia are not appropriate and may even be harmful. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PFMEs in the treatment of dyspareunia, including an exploration of potential mechanisms through which these exercises may alter its symptoms. Specifically, the authors addressed the following questions: What is the rationale for PFMEs in dyspareunia? What are the documented side effects, if any? What are the outcomes following PFMEs? A list of relevant studies was compiled from extensive searches conducted for the purpose of other reviews performed by the authors, and additional, complementary searches utilizing a combination of keywords associated with dyspareunia, physiotherapy and PFMEs. The inclusion criteria were any studies discussing and investigating the use of PFMEs, such as (but not limited to) repeated contractions or hold contractions as a sole intervention or as part of multimodal treatment. Data were extracted and narratively synthesized to identify arguments advocating for and against PFMEs in the treatment of dyspareunia. Part of the narrative analysis included 10 studies involving women with different types of dyspareunia, such as vulvodynia, postpartum dyspareunia, dyspareunia related to menopause and dyspareunia in cancer survivors. Pelvic floor muscle exercises were implemented as a main intervention or as a part of multimodal physiotherapy. All of the studies reported positive results favouring interventions involving PFMEs across various outcomes, such as pain intensity, sexual function, symptom severity and inconvenience, and PFM morphometry and function. None of the studies reported any side effects following interventions incorporating PFMEs. These exercises may have multiple applications in the treatment of dyspareunia. It appears essential to consider PFMEs as a multifaceted intervention that can be adapted in various forms for diverse objectives that extend beyond simple strengthening. Contrary to prevailing beliefs, PFMEs have been widely incorporated in research studies that have reported positive outcomes and demonstrated the safety of the interventions implemented.

Unveiling Effectiveness: A Comparative Exploration of Task-Based Learning and Traditional Lecture Delivery in Teaching Engineering Drawing

Engineering drawing, conventionally referred to as engineering visuals, has served as the primary communication medium for engineers. In the realm of mechanical engineering, this mode of communication is heightened to the extent that it attains the status of a first language within its domain. Within engineering applications, any shortcomings in comprehending these drawings can result in significant expenses. The occurrence of errors in the interpretation of engineering drawings has consistently posed concerns within industries employing engineering professionals. Therefore, an urgent emphasis on enhancing the teaching-learning process within this drafting course is imperative. This article reports an attempt to elevate the graphical communication skills in a class of 2nd semester engineering students with the comparison of previous year data. The findings indicate that the instructional method has the capacity to improve engineering drawing skills, and this approach holds promise for raising proficiency within the span of a single semester of study. During the semester felicitators attempt one practice. Keywords: Graphical communication skills, engineering drawing, out of classroom approach

Perceived Responses of International Tourists to Transportation and Tourism Services During Typhoons Faxai and Hagibis in Japan

There is a limited understanding on the information-seeking behavior of international tourists during disaster response scenarios due to the lack of empirical studies on crisis communication in Japan. This study clarifies the topics generated from both international tourists and official Twitter accounts by applying the embedding Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) topic model and examines the temporal sentiment changes toward transportation and tourism using the sentiment scores obtained from topic-based Valence Aware Dictionary and sEntiment Reasoner (VADER) sentiment analysis during disasters. A case study was conducted using Twitter data on Typhoons Faxai and Hagibis, which struck Japan in 2019. This study found differences in the topics generated among international tourists and officials in response and a continuous negative sentiment toward specific transportation services. The managerial implications of these findings regarding the use of social media in crisis communication in tourism are also discussed.

Enhancing Mobile Central Bank Digital Currency Payment Participation Through Creative Communication on Social Media

With the development of mobile technology, mobile devices have dramatically changed the way people entertain and pay. Social media platforms are booming, and social media is gradually becoming the main form of entertainment for people. Enterprises and organisations with promotional needs are paying more attention to the high efficiency and high input–output ratio of social media communication. Social media advertising has shown more vitality than traditional advertising. Meanwhile, mobile devices have also changed the way people pay, and mobile payment is gradually becoming popular. China has taken the lead in launching mobile Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) payment, a new payment technology, and social media communication also plays an important role in promoting CBDC payment. The purpose of this article is to explore the impact of social media creative communication on mobile CBDC payment participation. A research model suitable for this study was created by integrating privacy concern and elaboration likelihood model theory. A valid response from 300 respondents was obtained through an online self-administered questionnaire. Hypotheses were tested through a two-stage research method of partial least squares structural equation modelling with the method of artificial neural network. The results of the study showed that social media advertisements’ creativity and social media information quality significantly and positively influence users’ social media engagement. Users’ social media engagement significantly and positively influences users’ mobile CBDC payment participation. The study provides valuable practical guidance for managers of mobile CBDC payments to promote mobile CBDC payments through social media.