"This publication offers a comprehensive overview of digital development in the CIS region. The data reveal a region where nine in ten people are online—well above the global average—and where mobile broadband networks now cover virtually the entire population. These are important milestones. At
...
the same time, disparities remain between countries and communities. Fixed broadband is still out of reach for many, ICT regulation is uneven, and digital skills remain limited in key areas. Seven of the nine CIS countries are landlocked, which presents unique challenges for international connectivity, infrastructure deployment, and access to global Internet infrastructure. These constraints make regional collaboration particularly important—not only for physical infrastructure development but also for the harmonization of policies and regulatory frameworks. The second part of this report features case studies that illustrate how digital initiatives are making a tangible impact across the region. From expanding rural broadband access to enhancing youth entrepreneurship and strengthening cybersecurity readiness, these stories highlight the diversity of challenges—and the creativity of responses—emerging across the CIS." (Foreword)
more
"Wie gestaltet sich das Zusammenspiel von Vergangenheitsarbeit, Friedensförderung, Kunst und Kultur in der internationalen Zusammenarbeit der Bundesrepublik? Welche Verbindungen bestehen zwischen dem eigenen Umgang mit gewaltbelasteter Vergangenheit und der Unterstützung dieser Prozesse im Ausland
...
– und welche Chancen und Herausforderungen ergeben sich daraus für die dritte Säule der deutschen Außenpolitik, die Auswärtige Kultur- und Bildungsspolitik (AKBP) (im Folgenden der Lesbarkeit halber Auswärtige Kulturpolitik) die sich selbst als „Teil der Friedenspolitik“ (Bundesregierung 2020: 8) versteht? Diesen Fragen geht der vorliegende Artikel nach. Er beleuchtet zunächst das im internationalen Kontext für Vergangenheitsarbeit geläufige Konzept von Transitional Justice, seine Entstehung, Entwicklung in der Praxis und seine Einbettung in deutsches wie internationales Friedensengagement. Dabei geht er auch auf die deutsche Aufarbeitungsgeschichte, Unterschiede und Gemeinsamkeiten mit Transitional Justice-Prozessen sowie aktuelle Entwicklungen ein. Schließlich wird aufgezeigt, welche Überschneidungen zwischen Auswärtiger Kulturpolitik und Vergangenheitsarbeit bereits jetzt bestehen, welche Potenziale die Auswärtige Kulturpolitik hat und wie Synergien zwischen Auswärtiger Kulturpolitik, Vergangenheitsarbeit und Friedensförderung gestärkt werden können." (Seite 2)
more
"Die Reichweite der Cybercrime-Branche hat einen neuen Höhepunkt erreicht. 72% aller Organisationen weltweit berichten vom steigenden Cyberrisiko. Der Schaden durch Cybercrime betrug 2024 allein in Deutschland 178,6 Mrd. Euro. Das sind 20% mehr als im Vorjahr. Cyberkriminelle hängen Organisatione
...
n bei der Nutzung von KI ab: 91 % der Sicherheitsbeauftragten weltweit erwarten in den nächsten drei Jahren einen deutlichen Anstieg KI-getriebener Angriffe. Und obwohl sich 96% der Sicherheitsexperten einig sind, dass es wichtig ist, KI-basierte Angriffe zu erkennen, schätzen nur 26 % ihre eigene Fähigkeit diesbezüglich als hoch ein. Angreifende nutzen jeden verfügbaren Kanal als mögliches Eintrittstor: 56% der Sicherheitsbeauftragten in der DACH-Region zufolge ist E-Mail immer noch der primäre Angriffskanal. 98% der Organisationen in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz berichten von einem Anstieg bei Multi-Channel-Angriffen via E-Mail, Messaging-Apps, Social Media und Deepfake-Sprachanrufen.." (Executive Summary)
more
"Im ersten Teil geben wir einen Überblick über den Einsatz von generativer KI in der politischen Kampagnenkommunikation. Insbesondere die generativen KI-Tools ChatGPT und Midjourney werden zunehmend in politischen Kampagnen eingesetzt, um menschenähnliche Texte beziehungsweise fotorealistische Bi
...
lder zu erstellen [...] Der zweite Teil liefert ein umfassendes Bild von den Einstellungen der deutschen Bevölkerung zum Einsatz von generativer KI in politischen Kampagnen. Dafür haben wir eine repräsentative Online-Befragung von knapp 2.000 Teilnehmenden durchgeführt und Menschen zu ihrem KI-Wissen und ihren Einschätzungen zur KI-Nutzung in der Politik befragt [...] Im dritten Teil der Studie untersuchen wir, inwieweit KI-generierte Botschaften in politischen Kampagnen von Bürger*innen erkannt und wahrgenommen werden, aber auch wie sie ihre Einstellungen hinsichtlich des politischen Einsatzes von generativer KI beeinflussen. Dafür haben wir ein Online-Experiment mit ebenfalls rund 2.000 neuen Teilnehmenden durchgeführt." (Einleitung, Seiten 7-8)
more
[.] Auf Basis von über 2.000 Artikeln aus neun reichweitenstarken Print- und Onlinemedien untersuchen die Autor*innen, welche Themen in der Berichterstattung über KI gesetzt, wie Bezüge zu Fragen sozialer Gerechtigkeit hergestellt werden, welche narrativen Muster sich zeigen und welche Akteur*inn
...
en zu Wort kommen [.] Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung zeigen, dass in den untersuchten Medien eine breite Beschäftigung mit unterschiedlichen Themen rund um Künstliche Intelligenz und insbesondere generative KI stattfindet. Auch Gerechtigkeitsfragen werden in allen untersuchten Medien behandelt. Im Schnitt widmet sich rund jeder vierte Beitrag auch den sozialen Folgen von Künstlicher Intelligenz. Hierbei sticht die taz mit einem Anteil von fast 45 Prozent besonders hervor.
Zugleich zeigt sich jedoch, dass die Berichterstattung über KI stark von wirtschaftlichen Perspektiven geprägt ist. So stehen häufig Produkteinführungen, Personalien, Unternehmensentscheidungen oder Marktentwicklungen im Zentrum der medialen Aufmerksamkeit. Besonders auffällig ist die Präsenz von KI-Unternehmen und ihrer meist männlichen Vertreter. Wissenschaftliche, politische und zivilgesellschaftliche Akteur*innen kommen dagegen deutlich seltener in der Berichterstattung vor, obwohl gerade von dieser Seite zahlreiche wertvolle Analysen und Vorschläge zum Umgang mit KI beigesteuert werden. Eine weitere Erkenntnis der Untersuchung: Obwohl regelmäßig über soziale Folgen von KI geschrieben wird, findet die Berichterstattung mehrheitlich eher oberflächlich und stichwortartig statt. Lösungsvorschläge zur Beseitigung sozialer Ungleichheiten, die durch KI hervorgerufen werden, oder auch notwendige politische Regulierungen werden kaum genauer diskutiert. Außerdem ist immer wieder eine technikdeterministische Haltung zu beobachten: Neue KI-Entwicklungen werden als unausweichlich dargestellt, während die wirtschaftlich motivierten Entscheidungen der Verantwortlichen selten hinterfragt werden." (Vorwort, Seiten 1-2)
more
"Con este informe, se pretende arrojar algo de luz sobre un fenómeno especialmente complejo y todavía difícil de delimitar, en parte por la falta de una definición única y por la ausencia de datos que revelen su prevalencia real, pero también en parte por la normalización de determinadas cond
...
uctas que contribuyen a ocultar su gravedad. Para ello, se ha preguntado a profesionales y personas expertas en la materia, provenientes de diversos ámbitos: jurídico, ciberseguridad y delitos informáticos, psicología, criminología, academia e investigación, y del ámbito de la protección y los derechos de la infancia. Además, se quiere conocer qué riesgos asociados a la explotación sexual digital identifica, asume y naturaliza la adolescencia en el entorno digital. Para ello, se ha realizado una encuesta a 1.008 jóvenes de entre 18 y 21 años, en la que se les ha preguntado por sus percepciones y conductas online durante la adolescencia, con especial foco en los conocimientos, creencias y experiencias relacionadas con la explotación sexual en línea. También se organizaron dos talleres presenciales con adolescentes de entre 15 y 18 años, para profundizar en las preocupaciones y riesgos que identifican en su uso de Internet, así como en cómo perciben y distribuyen la responsabilidad frente a la exposición a estos riesgos.
A partir de este análisis, se busca formular recomendaciones que fortalezcan la protección de niños, niñas y adolescentes frente a esta forma de violencia, también a través de los procesos legislativos actualmente en marcha, para que puedan ejercer de forma segura todos sus derechos en el entorno digital. Y se hace desde un enfoque de infancia, entendiendo que la tecnología y el mundo digital forman parte de la esfera en la que los niños, niñas y adolescentes se desarrollan, y que lo tecnológico está intrínsecamente ligado a su socialización, y también a cómo descubren y exploran su sexualidad, lo que implica riesgos específicos. Pero entendiendo también que estos riesgos no se originan en el vacío, sino que el ecosistema digital proporciona el caldo de cultivo que facilita y condiciona estas dinámicas." (Introducción, páginas 5-6)
more
"In this phase of our research on charity advertising, we aimed to examine how INGOs represent distant others in direct mail communications compared to newspaper advertisements, building on findings from earlier studies. While the direct mail format offers greater potential for nuanced storytelling,
...
our analysis reveals both continuity and emerging shifts in the dynamics of charity advertising, underscoring the complexities of this medium.
Positive developments include an increased attribution of images to their creators, a practice that will gain significance as AI-generated content becomes more common. Additionally, the decline in pitiful imagery in direct mail compared to newspaper advertisements signals progress toward more ethical representation. These trends highlight incremental yet noteworthy changes in visual storytelling.
However, the continued overrepresentation of Africa across direct mail and newspaper advertisements raises critical questions about the motivations and strategies driving charity communications. This trend suggests a potential disconnect between visual narratives and operational realities, warranting deeper scholarly exploration. Similarly, the persistent focus on health as the dominant subject matter—often at the expense
of narratives on education, economic infrastructure, or capacity-building—highlights the emphasis on short-term relief over long-term development.
Thus, while there is evidence of progress, charities must strive to balance their visual narratives against operational realities. The necessary shifts highlighted will require significant overhaul at strategic levels but are vital not only for fostering a more informed and engaged donor public but also for advancing ethical and equitable representations of development and the Majority World." (Conclusion, page 22)
more
"Una ricerca di dottorato triennale ha indagato il rapporto tra i seminaristi in Italia e i social media. L’indagine, di cui vengono pubblicati qui i risultati, è stata condotta sotto la responsabilità scientifica della Facoltà di Scienze della Comunicazione sociale dell’Università Pontifici
...
a Salesiana, promossa dall’Associazione dei WebCattolici Italiani (WeCa) – grazie alla disponibilità dei seminaristi e dei Rettori dei Seminari maggiori d’Italia – in collaborazione con l’Ufficio nazionale per la Pastorale delle Vocazioni e l’Ufficio per le Comunicazioni Sociali della Conferenza Episcopale Italiana (CEI). Più libri in un solo testo: lo stato della questione del rapporto dei giovani con i social media e dei pro e contro di tale relazione; la ricostruzione del cammino della presenza della Chiesa italiana nell’ambiente digitale dagli anni precedenti il 2000 sino ad oggi; le nuove tecnologie e la pastorale durante il lockdown; un focus sulla formazione nei Seminari; una fotografia aggiornata e, a tratti inedita, dei seminaristi in Italia, e i risultati della ricerca." (Descrizione della casa editrice)
more
"The WRTH 2025 is the world's most comprehensive and up-to-date guide to broadcasting. This is the 79th edition of World Radio TV Handbook and this great directory continues to offer the most comprehensive guide to broadcasting on the planet. Step into the world of radio like never before with the W
...
RTH 2025 edition, your definitive companion for all things broadcasting. This 79th edition of the World Radio TV Handbook offers over 800 pages of unparalleled content, bringing you closer to the heart of the global radio community. Join us in celebrating the timeless magic of radio. Witness the evolution and be part of this exciting journey with WRTH 2025.
Comprehensive Data: WRTH 2025 is tailor-made for the dedicated radio enthusiast. Discover frequencies and broadcasting evolution across LW, MW (AM), SW, FM, Digital Radio (HD and DAB), and National TV channels. Expert Insights: Now under the expert administration of Radio Data CenterGmbH, WRTH remains an unrivaled source of broadcasting knowledge, guiding you through the ever-changing landscape of radio. Global Perspective: Embrace a worldwide view of broadcasting, exploring new territories and understanding the future of shortwave broadcasting by major players." (Publisher description)
more
"Fact-checking journalism challenges procedural norms of objectivity by providing truth verdicts. By actively evaluating statements and online rumors based on evidence weight, fact-checkers aim for robust, scientific objectivity. Despite this trend, there is a lack of studies analyzing evidence type
...
s used in verification articles, a gap which this article seeks to address. This comparative research examines types of valid evidence—documentation, digital forensic tools, and statements—employed by fact-checkers across 12 organizations in the UK, Germany, Portugal, and Spain (n=1976). Results are interpreted using media systems and digital indicators. Notably, Spain, with high political polarization and social media use for news, heavily utilizes digital forensic elements. Germany and the UK, known for high journalistic professionalism and low epistemic vulnerability, predominantly feature ‘all-inclusive’ evidence combining documents, statements, and forensics. Public service broadcasters exhibit the highest levels of verification complexity (hard fact-checking), contrasting with global news agencies, which generally favor softer fact-checking approaches, except for DPA." (Abstract)
more
"Algorithmic news recommender systems (NRS) are present in many digital platforms. A decade after Eli Pariser introduced the infamous ‘filter bubble’ hypothesis, empirical evidence challenges the assumption that recommendation algorithms predominantly create homogeneous opinion environments. Stu
...
dies indicate that algorithmic platform use may amplify users’ political polarization. Whether the link between platform use and polarization can be causally explained by ideological news filtering, however, is still an unanswered question as rigid causal designs to test the notion of ‘filter bubble’ effects are still largely lacking. To fill this gap, we conducted two experimental studies in Germany (n = 1,786) and the U.S. (n = 1,306) with running NRS selecting news items based on the political orientation and political interest of its users. For both national contexts, results indicate that an NRS with a bias towards users’ political preferences increases ideological polarization among politically moderate individuals, supporting the notion of ‘filter bubble’ effects for this group. No such pattern could be found for affective polarization. Yet, in the German data, affective polarization among moderate users was reduced by a politically balanced NRS (as compared to a randomized news diet), while the same NRS increased affective polarization of politically extreme participants. We discuss the democratic implications of these findings against the backdrop of increasing digital news consumption." (Abstract)
more
"Kosovo enjoys a relatively good legal framework when it comes to the protection of freedom of expression and freedom of the media. Laws concerning protection of journalism sources, protection of whistleblowers, and access to public information appear to be in line with European standards. The overa
...
ll number of journalists has been increasing over the past decade. Their salaries have also improved compared to previous years, although the inflation rate has also significantly increased. The number of journalists is related to the increasing number of new media. Online news media have replaced print newspapers completely. Three different universities produce graduates in the field of media and communication studies. The public university alone has 250 students in the Department of Journalism.
One area that needs significant improvement, though, is enhancing media literacy skills. Kosovo currently stands at the bottom of the table for the Media Literacy Index score. The quality of education can contribute to the ability of young generations to critically engage with the media. The future of media and democracy in Kosovo depends on other factors, too. Significant improvements in the rule of law and fight against corruption are needed to ensure better prospects for the future of media and journalism in Kosovo." (Conclusions)
more
"Through extensive fieldwork and archival research, Febe Armanios explores how Western evangelicals and indigenous Christians harnessed terrestrial and satellite technologies to promote Christian television in the Middle East. The sixteen channels analyzed in this study fall into three main categori
...
es: Western-backed conservative outlets with a charismatic and apocalyptic outlook; middle-ground channels that sought to balance their international sponsors' expectations with local interests; and grassroots initiatives rooted in ancient church traditions. The histories and programming strategies of primarily Arabic, but also Turkish and Persian, Christian channels reveal how media producers forged unexpected political alliances, pursued sectarian objectives, and navigated various transnational influences. Satellite Ministries explores how modern expressions of faith, technology, and political power intersected and clashed across the Global South and beyond." (Publisher description)
more
"Significant changes in journalism and the media have been unfolding in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), yet these shifts have not been accompanied by adequate policies or interventions. This report outlines key trends affecting journalism, media usage, and democracy, highlighting issues crucial for th
...
e future of the profession:
• The number of journalism students has significantly decreased over the past decade, a trend which could lead to a shortage of qualified professionals in the long run.
• Although unemployment among journalists has declined in recent years, 2023 saw a considerable number of journalists lose their jobs due to the non-renewal of fixed-term contracts or being deemed surplus labour. Unionizing remains unpopular among journalists in the country and without protection mechanisms, journalism in BiH risks becoming even more unstable.
• Reports of attacks and violations of journalists’ rights have increased in recent years, reflecting a decline in BiH’s rankings on media freedom indexes.
• Despite rapid technological advancements, including the emergence of generative artificial intelligence, the media lack guidelines for their use or studies addressing potential abuses in the media. This absence of regulation and oversight increases the risk of misuse and potential harm.
• While regulatory and self-regulatory mechanisms exist, they fail to tackle a core issue in the media: biased reporting, which risks becoming normalized in journalistic practices.
• The digital era has brought a proliferation of media outlets, including new television channels. The growth of media outlets does not necessarily improve media pluralism, but could lead to smaller newsrooms, increased workloads of journalists and less quality journalistic content.
• Print media has been on the decline, and the country’s major political weekly magazines have ceased publication. Without strategic interventions, print media operations will be difficult to sustain in the future.
• Media ownership transparency remains unregulated further aggravating media capture. Media outlets are predominantly owned by companies or individuals with business interests beyond the media sector.
• The advertising market has grown slightly in recent years, likely influenced by inflation. However, it remains insufficient to support the growing number of media outlets, posing challenges to financial sustainability.
• Television still dominates advertising revenue, but online media’s share is steadily increasing, signalling that digital marketing will become increasingly dominant in the coming years.
• Public budgets and donor support remain important for sustaining media operations. Without proper regulation, financing from public budgets, however, bring risks to media independence.
• Media primarily serve the interests of the three major ethnic groups, excluding minorities from decision-making roles and positions in mainstream outlets, limiting media pluralism." (Executive summary)
more
"Since the change of the long-standing DPS government in mid-2020, Montenegrin society has faced political crises. Frequent election cycles and instability in ruling majorities have affected the speed and quality of Montenegro’s integration into the EU, the work and functioning of institutions, an
...
d the general social and political environment. After the reconstruction of Montenegro’s 44th government, anti-democratic and anti-European tendencies emerged. These tendencies are reflected in the advocacy for legislation aimed at changing the constitutional order regarding language and citizenship, suppressing criticism from the civil sector, and undermining relations with neighbouring Croatia, an EU member state. This has been accompanied by a decline in trust in key political institutions and an overall unsatisfactory political culture.
Although several international studies monitoring the state of democracy, the rule of law, corruption perception, and media freedoms show progress compared to previous years, the current situation in media and journalism is not encouraging. In recent years, institutions have attempted to strategically address the media sector through the adoption of a Media Strategy and amendments to media laws. However, these regulations have not adequately addressed some of the key issues affecting the media landscape, such as media ownership transparency, strong foreign influence in media ownership structures, unregistered portals, and the fight against disinformation. Additionally, they have not implemented new European regulations in this area, indicating that media laws will need to be revised again.
The significant increase in the number of media outlets in Montenegro has not led to greater media pluralism or improved journalistic standards. The media market is small, and the launch of new outlets lacks economic justification. The media scene is heavily influenced by foreign actors, predominantly from Serbia. Owners from Serbia control four out of five television stations with national frequency, and two out of three daily newspapers are foreign-owned. These media outlets inevitably influence public opinion and are used to expand political influence, which affects the quality of media reporting and threatens the survival of locally owned media outlets.
Year after year, the amount of public funds allocated to media outlets through the Media Pluralism Fund has increased, which is important for their sustainability. The Agency for Electronic Media and the Ministry of Culture and Media distribute the funds transparently, but mechanisms for evaluating the quality of financed projects need to be established.
The national regulator, the Agency for Electronic Media, has improved its communication with the public. Recent amendments to the law have expanded its jurisdiction, enabling it to impose measures of varying intensity. While it remains responsible only for electronic media, there is clear potential for the agency to develop into an independent and professional regulator that consistently applies regulations.
Current self-regulatory mechanisms in Montenegro’s media sector are not effective, but there is potential for further development in the new amendments to the law. These amendments require media outlets to develop internal self-regulation if they wish to receive funds from the Media Pluralism Fund. Implementing this legal provision must be accompanied by raising awareness among media and journalists about the importance of strong self-regulation. This will help citizens recognize self-regulation as an independent authority capable of improving the quality of reporting and providing a reliable platform for submitting complaints." (Conclusions, pages 28-29)
more
"This joint report from OpenMinds and the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) analyzes the activity of a network of 3,634 automated accounts that posted pro-Russian comments on Telegram channels between January 2024 and April 2025 targeting Ukrainian populations inside Russian-occupied territorie
...
s. These accounts crafted tailored messages to target the occupied territories, differentiating their content from that aimed at other audiences across Russia and Ukraine. Our investigation found that automated Telegram comments targeting local audiences in Ukraine fell into three overarching categories: pro-Russian propaganda, anti-Ukrainian propaganda, and abstract anti-war messaging and calls for peaceful coexistence. Individual narratives were often tailored to respond to current events and changes in local conditions, such as power or water outages, but there was also evidence of proactive narratives initiated by the network unrelated to external events.
The bot network used similar messaging when targeting channels based in Russia; however, a significantly larger share of comments targeting the occupied territory channels emphasized positive portrayals of Russian culture and government. Across the sixty-nine narrative themes identified (see appendix), the bot network pushed essentially the same menu of talking points in both Russia-wide and occupied territory channels. What differentiates the content aimed at the occupied territories from that aimed at a wider Russian audience is the proportion of talking points: themes that praised Russian culture, social services, and governance dominated in occupied territory-based channels, accounting for a markedly higher share of content than in Russia-based channels. The pattern points to an effort to cultivate the appearance of local consensus in favor of occupation and Russian administrative control, but not necessarily to create genuine agreement." (Executive summary)
more
"The Trump administration’s freeze on U.S. foreign aid will lead to a surge in Russian disinformation across Eastern Europe, experts warn, as independent media outlets across the region will be forced to shutter, leaving a vacuum of credible information in their wake. “Russian disinfo will have
...
it easier, just like they have it easier every time they or their allies manage to weaken another one of the counter-disinformation activities,” explained Jakub Kalensky, deputy director of the Hybrid Influence community of interest at the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats. “The Russians have made it clear they consider civil society their enemy; every effort to defund civil society is helping the Kremlin." (Introduction)
more
"Covering a wide range of different online platforms, including social media sites and chatrooms, this volume is a comprehensive exploration of the current state of sociological and criminological scholarship focused on online deviance. Understanding deviance broadly, the handbook acknowledges both
...
an objective normative approach and a subjective, reactivist approach to the topic, putting into sharp relief the distinctions between cybercrime and online deviance on the one hand, and wider concerns of online communities related to online deviance on the other. Divided into five sections, the first section is devoted primarily to scholarship about the theories and methods foundational to exploring online deviance. The second section, "Gender, Sex, and Sexuality", presents empirical research on expressions of gender, sex, and sexuality in online spaces considered deviant. The third section, "Violence and Aggression," highlights scholarship on types of violent communications such as hate speech and cyberstalking. The fourth section, "Communities and Culture," describes empirical research on online communities and networks that can be described as deviant by wider society. Lastly, the fifth section, "Regional Perspectives," highlights research in which a terrestrial location is impactful to the online phenomena studied." (Publisher description)
more