"This article aims to discuss what we call environmental opacity, a condition of mobile instant messaging services (MIMS) that operates on the basis of end-to-end encryption systems. Utilizing WhatsApp as a specific example, the article presents two fundamental dilemmas around which some issues conc
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erning transparency are mobilized when it comes to digital private communication. The first of them relates to how end-to-end encryption has simultaneously become an asset and a problem for democratic environments; on the one hand, protecting users’ privacy, and on the other, allowing for the circulation of misinformation and harmful content. The second dilemma deals with how this environment of opacity impacts the ethics and transparency of scholarly research focused on WhatsApp and other MIMSs. The paper also reviews an extensive body of studies that discuss the political uses of WhatsApp in different dimensions, and argues that emerging countries with large user bases, such as Brazil and India, have experienced a series of negative effects after the adoption of WhatsApp by politically oriented groups. Among the main proposals, the article suggests some measures to foster platform transparency and facilitate scientific research instead of hindering it." (Abstract)
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"This study analyzes the social communication and journalism programs accredited by the Latin American Council for Accreditation of Education in Journalism and Communication (CLAEP) to identify the competencies and subjects whose expected learning outcomes contribute to general innovative profession
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al profiles in media entrepreneurship. The study is a qualitative, descriptive study in which in-depth interviews were conducted with deans, program directors, and lecturers in communication, and syllabi and programs of the subjects that contribute to strengthening the components of entrepreneurship and innovation were analyzed. The main conclusions make it clear that entrepreneurial profiles should be strengthened since there are market opportunities for future communication and journalism professionals; there is no traceability in the projects developed in the different subjects in a way that allows for the strengthening of the entrepreneurial proposal; these reach an ideation and prototyping phase, which does not allow for the transfer of entrepreneurship to acceleration and growth units external to the program. Likewise, a proposal for the design of expected learning results is made for programs to use in their curricular designs to strengthen the profile and competencies in innovative entrepreneurship on the basis of eight categories: 1) identify the conditioning factors that determine entrepreneurship from its context, from the form they acquire to be recognized before the state and society as media and from the elements that configure their operational functioning; 2) understand the logics of the entrepreneurial ecosystem; 3) develop capacities in entrepreneurship; 4) manage media and journalistic projects; 5) design business models; 6) generate innovation processes, prototyping, and product testing; 7) obtain resources to accelerate entrepreneurship; and 8) establish growth and consolidation plans." (Abstract)
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"This study aims to explore the policies and practices of Radio Cutivalú in the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment within the context of the prevailing patriarchal structures in Peruvian society. For this purpose, the following research question is formulated: Does Radio Cutival
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ú have a gender policy and if so, how does it manifest? To answer the research question, a qualitative analysis of four internal documents and 11 interviewees with employees was conducted. The study reveals that while Radio Cutivalú does not possess an explicit, written gender policy, gender equality is considered a central guiding principle in the radio’s operations. Its activities align with the objectives of international policies, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – Section J, AMARC-WIN’s Gender Policy for Community Radio, and UNESCO’s Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Media. Thus, Radio Cutivalú serves as a powerful platform for addressing gender issues." (Abstract)
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"Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are considered a cross-cutting tool that contributes to meeting the global challenges set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, in many countries, there is still a significant connectivity gap between cities and rural areas. Using
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a case study approach and the Digital-fordevelopment paradigm proposed by Heeks, this paper explores an innovative strategy for addressing the rural connectivity gap and examines its impact on the SDGs. The model under analysis is the Rural Mobile Infrastructure Operator (RMIO). The specific case analyzed is the first company operating under an RMIO figure and offering services in underserved rural areas of Peru. The results show that the RMIO strategy primarily contributes to some specific targets of SDGs 3, 9, and 17. Key stakeholders can use the methodology and results of this study to develop strategies to address the connectivity divide and promote the achievement of the SDGs in rural contexts." (Abstract)
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"Las competencias y conocimientos en Alfabetización Mediática e Informacional (AMI) sirven para enfrentar fenómenos como la desinformación, la discriminación, el discurso de odio y el ciberacoso. La AMI se puede transmitir de diversos modos: se puede aprender con materiales lúdicos en la escue
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la como parte del currículo escolar oficial; puede ser parte de la oferta mediática a través de videos, podcasts, plataformas digitales; o, incluso, puede ser el objeto central de un videojuego en línea que motive a jóvenes a aprender AMI. DW Akademie y sus socios en Centroamérica han desarrollado metodologías para enseñanza de la AMI en todos estos campos, con resultados notables en nuevos conocimientos y actitudes de empoderamiento en audiencias jóvenes. Con el objetivo de atender las necesidades específicas de las y los jóvenes en Centroamérica, esta publicación toma en cuenta los factores demográficos que condicionan su vida diaria para formular propuestas AMI. Los datos principales que permiten extraer dichas conclusiones son los recopilados por tres estudios de nuestros socios en Centroamérica: COMUNICARES en Guatemala; la Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas y la Escuela de Comunicación Mónica Herrera en El Salvador." (https://akademie.dw.com)
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"This text is divided into four chapters. The first chapter describes the characteristics of online public debate in Colombia. It also presents the historical context and details the circumstances in which risky content for democracy and human rights content is published and disseminated in the coun
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try; this usually happens in public discussions associated with the armed conflict, in debates related to current situations that involve discriminated and vulnerable communities, and —mainly— during electoral periods in which smear campaigns against the media and journalists occur and disinformation strategies to manipulate voters develop. The second chapter presents a normative review that clarifies concepts addressed throughout the text and elaborates on international standards on the subject. The third chapter contains the body of the legal framework that describes the current regulations in Colombia to address content that potentially poses risks for democracy and human rights and presents the alternatives for dealing with such content. The fourth chapter analyzes the extent to which this framework is in line with international standards and reflects on the effectiveness of the legal tools to tackle the problem of hate speech and disinformation. In parallel with the development of the conflict and cycles of political violence, Colombian civil society has been striving for decades to advance in peacebuilding. As part of these efforts, it is essential to understand how to promote a broad and robust conversation in digital environments that guarantees diversity of opinions and protects the right of citizens to receive truthful and unbiased information." (Page 5)
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"This edited collection aims to document the effects of Covid-19 on film festivals and to theorize film festivals in the age of social distancing. To some extent, this crisis begs us to consider what happens when festivals can't happen; while films have found new (temporary) channels of distribution
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(most often in the forms of digital releases), the festival format appears particularly vulnerable in pandemic times. Imperfect measures, such as the move to a digital format, cannot recapture the communal experience at the very core of festivals. Given the global nature of the pandemic and the diversity of the festival phenomenon, this book features a wide range of case studies and analytical frameworks. With contributors including established scholars and frontline festival workers, the book is conceived as both a theoretical endeavour and a practical exploration of festival organizing in pandemic times." (Publisher description)
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"This open access book explores how children draw God. It looks at children's drawings collected in a large variety of cultural and religious traditions. Coverage demonstrates the richness of drawing as a method for studying representations of the divine. In the process, it also contributes to our u
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nderstanding of this concept, its origins, and its development. This intercultural work brings together scholars from different disciplines and countries, including Switzerland, Japan, Russia, Iran, Brazil, and the Netherlands. It does more than share the results of their research and analysis. The volume also critically examines the contributions and limitations of this methodology. In addition, it also reflects on the new empirical and theoretical perspectives within the broader framework of the study of this concept. The concept of god is one of the most difficult to grasp. This volume offers new insights by focusing on the many different ways children depict god throughout the world. Readers will discover the importance of spatial imagery and color choices in drawings of god. They will also learn about how the divine's emotional expression correlates to age, gender, and religiosity as well as strategies used by children who are prohibited from representing their god." (Publisher description)
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"Disputed Archival Heritage brings important new perspectives into the discourse on displaced archives. In contrast to shared or joint heritage framings, the book considers the implications of force, violence and loss in the displacement of archival heritage. With chapters from established and emerg
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ing scholars in the field of archival studies, Disputed Archival Heritage extends and enriches the conversation that started with the earlier volume, Displaced Archives. Advancing novel theories and methods for understanding disputes and claims over archives, the volume includes chapters that focus on Indigenous records in settler colonial states; literary and community archives; sub-national and private sector displacements; successes in repatriating formerly displaced archives; comparisons with cultural objects seized by colonial powers; and the relationship between repatriation and reparations. Analysing key concepts such as joint heritage and provenance, the contributors unsettle Western understandings of records, place and ownership." (Publisher description)
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"México es por 14 años consecutivos uno de los países más peligrosos para ejercer el sacerdocio. Son 7 los sacerdotes asesinados durante este sexenio 2018-2022. En el último año se dieron cerca de 800 extorsiones, amagos y amenazas contra sacerdotes en la República mexicana, principalmente lo
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s motivos de estos delitos están vinculados a fraudes y apropiación ilícita de recursos de las víctimas necesarios para el ejercicio de su ministerio. En el 2022 destacaron las declaraciones de los mismos obispos que fueron impedidos en su derecho de circulación por retenes del crimen organizado. Mayores detalles fueron proporcionados por el cardenal José Francisco Robles Ortega, arzobispo de Guadalajara y Sigifredo Noriega Barceló, obispo de Zacatecas y Rafael Sandoval Sandoval, obispo de Autlán, quienes manifestaron haber sido detenidos y que el los cárteles que operan en el norte del Estado de Jalisco y Zacatecas exigen derecho de piso a los párrocos; las cuotas podrían ascender a la mitad de las colectas que se recaudan, producto de fiestas patronales que son una fuente principal de recursos para muchas parroquias y comunidades católicas del país. En el sexenio 2018-2022 se registran alrededor de cerca 24 agresiones semanales a templos y comunidades católicas." (Introducción)
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"Al adentrarse en el estudio de las características psicológicas de los venezolanos, el principal rasgo que sobresale es su complejidad y la presencia de elementos aparentemente contradictorios en su seno. En el caso concreto de las dimensiones que conforman una condición de vulnerabilidad, algun
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as de las encontradas, como muy baja confianza interpersonal, afecto negativo con respecto al país, fuentes de estrés centrado en lo económico, malestar psicológico y físico, duelo, y dificultades de identificación y expresión de emociones, constituyen factores que contribuyen a ella. Al mismo tiempo, factores como percepción de bienestar subjetivo, satisfacción personal con la propia vida, sentido de control personal, apoyo social familiar, afrontamiento religioso, deseos de participación, habilidades cognitivas y bajos niveles de inadecuación social, funcionan como escudos psicológicos de defensa ante una mayor vulnerabilidad." (slides 35-36)
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