UW-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Post

Sharing the third piece here on the organised campaign of the far-right globally and here in Aotearoa targeting the academe. This piece specifically unpacks the targeted campaign directed at my discipline Communication Studies. What is it about Communication Studies that threatens the far-right? This essay attempts at unpacking the underlying motivations of the far-right cancel culture, demonstrating the discursive links between the far-right ecosystem here in Aotearoa with the Trump-Bannon hate ecosystem. Although there is a lot of vigorous denial on part of the right wing ideologues here, the empirical evidence emergent from the discourse mapping is loud and clear. "Theories that challenge oppression, misogyny, and white supremacy, and seek to promote social justice, climate justice, and decolonisation are conspiracies. A racist version of this propaganda concocts Māori elite conspiracy to attack Kaupapa Māori theory and research practice. Topics that critically interrogate white supremacist power and control are conspiracies in this ideological universe, fuelled globally by the Trumpian attack on Critical Race Theory and the far-right's reactionary attack on tertiary education." #FarRight #WhiteSupremacy #Hate #Disinformation #AcademicFreedom #CancelCulture #NewZealand https://lnkd.in/gpgZkC6A

"Boiled Watchdogs? The Declining Professional Autonomy of Precarious Millennial Generation Journalists" See the latest JPO paper by Tinca Lukan and Jožica Čehovin Zajc -- now published online, at https://lnkd.in/d4Mk2R5 Credit to JPO Guest Editor Kirstie McAllum for shepherding the paper through the review processes. The paper's reference as well as a very brief summary can be found below.   Reference: Čehovin Zajc, J. & Lukan, T. (2024). Boiled Watchdogs? The Declining Professional Autonomy of Precarious Millennial Generation Journalists, Journal of Professions and Organization, 11, https://lnkd.in/dYVEN2GE Summary: This study longitudinally examined how Slovenian precarious journalists of the millennial generation perceive their professional role, how professional autonomy plays out in practice and how they advocate for better working conditions. The study provides rare insights into what happens with precarious workers' professional autonomy over time, and it offers non-Western perspectives on journalism. The findings reveal that precarious journalists initially perceived their role as watchdogs. While the role of a watchod in the Anglo-Saxon world involves being vigilant against the powerful and asking them challenging questions (Norris, 2014), journalists in Slovenia referred to the watchdog role as helping the weak and giving them a voice. This perception reflects generalized Slovenian values of egalitarianism, consistent with the argument that professional roles in journalism adapt to cultural contexts (Berkowitz, 2011: 1) as the Western role of a watchdog becomes enmeshed in and modified by the context. Precarious journalists have faced challenges in practicing this role, particularly in investigative reporting, due to internal constraints within media organizations and external threats such as SLAPP lawsuits, used by powerful actors to silence journalists reporting misconduct, leading to character defamation lawsuits. Financial and time constraints, along with the risk of legal threats, made investigative reporting difficult. External constraints also caused internal constraints, with editors assigning lighter topics or PR articles instead of investigative reporting. Professional autonomy often requires a degree of freedom, and herein, the duality of negative and positive freedom (Berlin, 1959) comes to the fore. Negative freedom is about how many doors are open to the agent, while positive freedom is about “going through the right doors for the right reasons” (Carter, 2022). Journalists went through the doors of journalism in pursuit of positive freedom: to achieve self-realization by being watchdogs helping the weak. Nonetheless, these doors were in practice shut due to many constraints, resulting in journalists’ lack of negative freedom. As a result, the watchdog role dissipated, and a subset of journalists either adjusted to a worker's role or opted for a change in their profession.

Orwell Grey founder, Mark Sachs, was featured in HonestReporting with a guest essay titled, How In The World Did We Get Here? In the essay, Mark identifies four cultural trends that have coalesced into a powerful force for antisemitism and anti-Israelism. Hope you will read! #Israel #antisemitism #intersectionality #foreignaffairs #foreignpolicy https://lnkd.in/eyV_sHeX

Thanks to HonestReporting for publishing my essay.

The Importance of Objectivity in Polemics: A Case Study Involving AD Robles https://lnkd.in/gNSbSdxK

In light of Fareed Zakaria's brilliant CNN editorial taking U.S. academia to task, you can't "PR" #antisemitism. So let's not say stuff that suggests one can, or, much less, should. #PR #PublicRelations #ethics #PRethics #PRdiversity #academia https://lnkd.in/gGXyrfzF

In an environment of constant debate regarding work ethics and boundaries between PR professionals and journalists, it is safe and sane to say 'Co-existing is an Art that we all need to Master'. With that backdrop, we take you on a #throwback ride when our founder Aman Dhall spoke to Shailaja Rao, Growth & Program Alliance Lead, PRCAI, about how to collaborate with journalists to achieve common goals. "Journalists have much more on their plate today... When it comes to doing research to understand a journalist's preferences or their style of work, you must read their last 10 to 20 stories, you will definitely find a trend," says Dhall. Link to our blog post in the thread below. #CredibleTalks #StoryMatters #publicrelations #journalism #research #credibility

Excellent article from Chloe Wittenberg: “Just because video seems more credible than text doesn’t mean it’s more persuasive...” “Seeing may be believing, but it does not necessarily change people’s minds.” And I would add: "...let alone understand what they are seeing. Sometimes believing is an act of faith that can be pretty irrational!". Images and videos are easier to showcase certain matters, but they are also easier to make facts and ideas to appear skewed -or misunderstood. On the other hand, writing, reading and understanding texts is a safer way to approach ideas, since a solid knowledge structure is not easily fooled.

The attack on DEI initiatives and programs in Texas is not only an intellectual misunderstanding. It's also an assault on human beings that dedicate their lives to the ethical pursuit of social change. #texas #dei #socialjustice #education #educationalleadership #injustice https://lnkd.in/g5b-bUxg

Thrilled to be part of the exciting journey in University of Media Arts and Communication- Institute of Journalism (UNIMAC-IJ) Political Communication (POLCOM) course! 🎓 Currently, as a level 300 student at the UNIMAC-IJ, I find myself deeply immersed in the intricacies of political dynamics through hands-on experience. In POLCOM, we've taken on the challenge of creating and running real political parties. My group, the People's Revolution Party (PRP), mirrors national politicians in every aspect. With the support of dedicated party members, I've thrown my hat into the ring, filing for the nomination to become the flag bearer. It's a race where four passionate individuals from PRP vie for the spotlight, and the question on everyone's mind is, 'Who will emerge victorious in the primaries?' This course is not just an academic pursuit; it's a simulation of the real political arena. We campaign, strategize, and experience firsthand how politicians convey messages to win the masses. It's a unique opportunity to understand the inner workings of politics and elections, transcending theoretical knowledge into practical, real-world scenarios. The importance of POLCOM to students is immense. It nurtures critical thinking, strategic communication skills, and a deep understanding of the political landscape. As we engage in this simulation, we are not just learning about politics; we are living it. It prepares us for the challenges and responsibilities that come with effective political communication, be it in the realms of advocacy, leadership, or public service. Beyond personal development, the course holds significance for the country. By grooming a generation of students well-versed in political communication, UNIMAC-IJ contributes to the development of informed, articulate, and socially responsible leaders. These students, including myself, are gaining insights that extend beyond the classroom, shaping the future of our nation's political discourse. A heartfelt appreciation to UNIMAC-IJ for offering such an amazing course. The hands-on experience, coupled with theoretical knowledge, is preparing us for a future where effective political communication is paramount. Excited to see how the primaries unfold and grateful for the transformative journey this course has provided! 🌐🗳️ #POLCOM23 #UNIMACIJ #PoliticalCommunication #StudentLeadership #EducationForChange"