Communication Studies Perspective Research Articles

The International Crisis Group and the manufacturing and communicating of crises

The International Crisis Group (icg) has the motto ‘working to prevent conflict worldwide’. As an organisation the icg occupies a very specific niche role, which is related to crises of a political nature, specifically armed conflict. While the icg employs a negative understanding of crisis, the academic definition of what a crisis may constitute is broader, as it can actually represent an opportunity for some actors. This article, written from a communication studies perspective, seeks to address how crises are manufactured in icg texts. It argues that the way in which crisis events are viewed and reacted to depends on the level of information and ‘knowledge’ that is produced and circulating about them. The article tackles the issue of the strategic level of the icg in terms of its means and mechanisms of attempting to project influence. It explores the different ploys and strategies used to influence policy makers, especially its communication strategy, the different values and ethics that are highlighted, and the ‘causes’ that are promoted.

Theory and Research From the Communication Field: Discourses That Constitute and Reflect Families

From the disciplinary perspective of communication studies, we review theory and research in family communication, including a brief history of the family communication field; the contributions of a family communication perspective; and 5 theories of family communication: communication accommodation theory, communication privacy management theory, family communication patterns theory, narrative theor(ies), and relational dialectics theory. We then illustrate the concept of discourse dependence in family communication processes and discuss current trends in family communication research. We also suggest emerging directions for family communication scholarship.

Challenged Media Participation of Diasporas: Iranian Productions on Public Access TV Channels in Germany

This paper analyses Iranian television production on Public Access TV channels in Germany. It is based on a broader study with qualitative interviews, hermeneutic content analysis of 40 hours of aired TV programs and a ?dense description? of the production background. Iranian immigrants were amongst the most active mother-tongue TV producers on local Public Access Channels (so called ?Open Channels?) since these were first launched in 1984. These non-commercial channels aim to make alternative themes and voices heard in the local public. However, the 9/11 attacks led to increased difficulties of access for immigrants from the Middle East, such as limited airtime and the obligation to translate programs. These measures diminished dramatically the opportunities to present Iranian TV shows on Open Channels. From the perspective of Communication Studies, this paper aims to analyse the intentions and strategies of Iranian immigrant media participation, but also the difficulties of access to the public sphere in Germany.

Sending a Message? Refugees and Australia's Deterrence Campaign

While Australia's immigration deterrence policies, such as the temporary protection visa (TPV), mandatory detention system and ‘Pacific Solution’ have been criticised on ethical and legal grounds, the core justification for these policies has remained largely untouched. This article challenges the key justification behind many of Australia's immigration policies — that they ‘send a strong message’ to potential irregular migrants and people smugglers. Drawing on a communication studies perspective and cultural studies audience research, the study outlined in this article demonstrates that these policies are based on a flawed and outdated view of the communication process and a simplistic understanding of refugee audiences. The article reveals that, like all audiences, refugee audiences are diverse, unpredictable and capable of producing a variety of interpretations of the messages they receive. This article calls for a recognition that the transmission and reception of Australia's deterrence ‘messages' are far from straightforward.

Participation and Decision Making in Local Spaces in Cuba

Popular participation is one of the foundational principles of Cuba's political and social project, and the system of Popular Power—an intricate network of decision-making bodies at various levels—is its richest expression. A case study of the system as it operates in one municipality in Havana from the perspective of communication studies reveals its democratic-participatory possibilities. At the same time, it points to organizational, structural, and even subjective elements that threaten its practical implementation. These problems have not escaped the attention of the National Assembly of Popular Power, which has produced a detailed list of steps to be taken to improve the articulation of the system's various institutional components. A more participatory Popular Power, with increasingly horizontal and inclusive practices, would play a crucial role in a genuine project of social self-government.

NOTE An analysis of e‐mail communication

This note takes a communication studies perspective on the e‐mail interactions between students and faculty, and argues that e‐mail messages may be a significant force in academic development for several reasons. E‐mail interactions may be the medium of choice for some persons, may constitute a relationship, and may represent an important form of international and intercultural dialogue. The essay is organized around five communication topics: apprehension, diversity, face‐to‐face communication, humour, and tone.