DENIS MCQUAIL, SVEN WINDAHL AND F.X. DANCE’S THEORIES AND COMMUNICATION THEOLOGY
Abstract
Doubts arise when one thinks or envisages the
communicational dimension of theology. In what way
is communication inherent in theology? It would no
doubt be a long thesis and a long discourse if our aim
was to be fully exhaustive in our approach. But, in this
article, we will look at some pointers which characterize
the process of communication and yet are deeply
inherent in theology. Communication traditionally is
defined as the social interaction of messages. This
interaction brings about commonality and identification
with a particular group of people. For example, a group
of teenagers will appreciate a type of music that suits
their wishes and their age.
Keywords: Denis Mcquail, Communication Theology,
Church.
THE RIGHT TO LIFE IN THE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW
Abstract
The express regulation of the right to life in the national
and international legislation and in the CEDO practice is
based on stipulations which mention the facts which
represent acts constituting violations of the right to privacy,
as well as the legal means available to a person to defend
his right to privacy. Even if the meaning of the notion of
life varies from one age to the other or from one social group
to the other, the international legislation on the matter
establishes the defence means applicable in the case of
violating a right, which the courts are summoned to apply
according to the specificity of each situation. The right to life
represents an inalienable attribute of the human being and
it is an essential element in the system of the fundamental
rights and freedoms defended by the European Convention
on the matter, life being exactly the condition required in
order to exert all the other rights and freedoms.
Keywords: the right to life, national legislation, legal
means, inalienable attribute, fundamental freedom, rights and
freedoms.
ANTI-PANDEMIC MEASURES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE COMMUNITY
Abstract
The SARSCOV 2 acute respiratory syndrome, named
COVID 19, has affected the whole world and all the fields
of social life. The dramatic negative effects on people made
the administrative and sanitary authorities to take
measures in order to stop the spread of the virus,
intensifying at the same time the scientific research to
manufacture a vaccine that could make the virus become
inoffensive. If the development of an anti-COVID 19
vaccine can be considered an achieved goal, the limitation
of its transmission represents an ongoing process, with
ups and downs. The administrative and sanitary measures
taken by states’ authorities are the following: keeping a
physical distance between people, quarantine (limiting
and even prohibiting the movement of people within
localities, states and even between states); forbidding
meetings and demonstrations, the temporary stopping of
unessential manufacturing and commercial activities;
housework (telework); the temporary closure of schools
and the existence of online teaching as well as the use of
facial masks. The above-mentioned measures were fairly
appreciated by some doctors and specialists and contested
by other specialists, politicians or journalists. The
allegations brought to the authorities refer both to the
relative efficiency of the measures and to their negative
effects for people and especially for communication.
Keywords: COVID 19, interpersonal communication,
quarantine, physical distancing, online teaching, facial mask,
telework .
THE LIFESTYLE OF ACTIVE ROMANIAN INTELLECTUALS IN A HYBRID SOCIETY
Abstract
This paper aims at identifying the specificities of the
active intellectuals, an important social category for the
evolution of any community, during the lockdown imposed
by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have tried to understand
how this category of the Romanian society adapted to a
situation it had not faced before and that substantially
changed the daily routine of everyone. The research
premise was that this social category can determine the
appearance of specific behavior in a so-called contemporary
hybrid society, based on the habits acquired in isolation.
The active intellectuals, beyond the intrinsic intellectual
level certified by their education, are immersed in subtle
ways in the social life, which they influence most often
from high positions. The confrontation with an
unprecedented situation, namely the physical distancing
(publicly promoted as social distancing) caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic, generated different reactions. At the
observational level, most of them accepted the rules set by
authorities. Some revolted; others took refuge in humor
(which circulated on social media networks with impressive
productivity). Yet, the daily life of each representative of
this social category – whose behaviors are a role model for
others – has remained almost unknown. Through this
paper we set out to fill the gap and to make an inventory
of the active intellectuals’ daily activities (a questionnairebased
survey), in order to approximate whether any
changes have occurred as a result of the lockdown.
Moreover, we intended to identify the imprint that the
pandemic and its associated measures may leave on the
patterns of the postmodern Romanian society, characterized
by hybridity. These behavioral patterns of the Romanian
active intellectuals during the period of isolation may be
the outline of future guidelines in the post-pandemic
lifestyle and, therefore, can shape the reorganization trends
of society, but these trends can be confirmed by further
studies.
Keywords: postmodernity, hybrid society, digital
literacy,COVID-19, new normal, active intellectuals, lifestyle.
JOURNALISM – BETWEEN UTOPIA AND PANDEMIC DYSTOPIA
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic led to dramatic mutations
for all humanity. On the one side, the house, used in
general to restore the forces of the human being,
individually or in family (group), suddenly expanded
its role as a temporary small station in a social continuum.
On the other hand, the entire social universe collapsed
inside the four walls of the house, which has become job,
school, playground, fitness hall etc. The present study
analyses the changes that took place in the media world
after the outbreak of epidemics, because journalists are
the only foreigners accepted in a house in which not
even all family members are allowed. The mission of the
guard dog of democracy seems to have been abandoned.
The old values are quickly forgotten and, and the empire
of the fear disseminated by the press (consistently
sponsored by governments), the most important media
channels now focus, with a few exceptions, only on the
health of the society. A noble ideal but one that,
objectively, should represent the preoccupation of
specialised institutions. The idea that the press abandons
its position as the fourth power in the state and that it
accepts to be the speaking trumpet of the executive
power is therefore induced. Is this just a subjective
perception or is it a reality? Because, if things really are
like this, in this way one could draw the conclusion the
media shifts from the utopia of power in the state (I have
proved in other papers that it is only a tool of the power)
and it takes another decisive step towards the dystopia
promoted in recent years until exacerbation. This time,
there is the pretext of the pandemic. Which pretext will
there be tomorrow?
Keywords: journalism, pandemic dystopia, culture of fear,
skeptron.
THE IMPLICATIONS OF PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT IN STAFF PERFORMANCE AND RETENTION IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
Abstract
The performance of each organisation represents the
intrinsic result of the relationship between personal factors,
on the one side, and the individual’s potential and his
motivation degree for an aware employment, on the other
side, as well as the organisation’s internal process/
framework, respectively the relationship process and
system together with the external one, meaning the
complex context in which the organisation operates and
which exerts an influence. It has been proven that the
organisation cannot control all factors, especially those
related to context and relationships and this is why there
is a tendency for some employees to go in one of the two
directions, one of capping and reduced efficiency or one of
leaving the organization in order to develop a career in
another institution.Taking into account the tendency of the
new generation to look for job satisfaction by defining
some goals which are more related to personal development
than to material satisfactions, it is necessary to identify
some ways of measuring expectations and the institutional
development programmes.
Keywords: public administration, performance, potential,
personal development, retention.
TRUISMS OF THE INFORMATION ERA
Abstract
In every field in which profound changes take place
obvious and simple truths (truisms) are born, which do not
have to be stated, we do not have to waste time thinking
about them during this period, which we regard as the
century of speed.
Keywords: truism, standard, information society, massmedia,
social groups, social communication.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE SOCIAL MEDIA: A REFLECTION ON RECENT EVENTS IN NIGERIA
Abstract
Social media cannot be said to be good or bad, the way
we use them and what we use them for determines what
we get from them. Social responsibility represents the
moral principle that guides any action, whether in the
media or any other organization and puts an obligation
towards the environment, society, culture, economy and
even the media. This article attempts to explain how social
media can be used to diffuse information, philosophies and
sentiments, and to mobilize and demobilize people towards
certain actions, as well as, create platforms for interactions
that can spring up new and waning ideas, symbols, rituals
and identities. The researchers analysed recent incidences
in Nigeria and how social media helped to escalate and
deescalate them.
Keywords: social responsibility, social media, Nigeria.
THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN MASS MEDIA, AUDIOVISUAL AND THE ONLINE ENVIRONMENT
Abstract
Mass-media represents the main tool of a democratic
society and it refers to two fundamental rights: the right
to be informed and the freedom of expression. Beyond its
functions, however, mass-media represents a product of
the society which is formed and functions. In this
framework characterised by freedom and participation,
mass-media holds a consolidation role for the new society,
it supports and monitors a true democracy, it takes part in
a correct government and it leads to economic development.
As “the fourth power in the state”, the press creates the
new public opinion and the new civil society. The risks of
fulfilling its duty and the audacity of applying its freedom
of expression presented, at times, irreparable consequences.
At the same time, the freedom of expression, both of the
media and of the individual, represents a fundamental
right. The freedom of expression can neither prejudice the
dignity, honour, or the particular life of a individual, or
the right to self-image. Exerting the right to free expression
involves certain duties and responsibilities
Keywords: the right to information, public opinion, selfimage,
the freedom of expression, civil society, democracy, lack
of censorship.
CITIZEN JOURNALISM: IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL JOURNALISM PRACTICE IN NIGERIA
Abstract
The study is bordered on Citizen Journalism as an
emerging field of study which has raised serious concerns
and controversies in contemporary Nigerian society. The
practice of citizen journalism has flourished with the
emergence of the internet and of other forms of ICT. The
article examines the professional/ethical legal implications
of the practice of citizen journalism in Nigeria. After a
thorough review of relevant literature, the Democratic
Participant Media was selected as the appropriate
theoretical anchor for the study. The study, being a survey,
employed the quantitative research method to ascertain
the perception of the public about citizen journalism.
Findings revealed that the views of the public were
ambivalent with one being supportive and the other one
adverse to its practice. The article called for caution and
restraint on both sides of the continuum as that would
serve the society better.
Keywords: Citizen Journalism, Professional Journalism,
Ethical Implication, Morality.
IMPACT OF DIGITAL MEDIA ON EFFECTIVE HEALTHCARE DELIVERY IN CROSS RIVER STATE
Abstract
The dawn of the digital age and digital media
technology has transformed the communication landscape
in the world. Every aspect of human life has been
transformed by the digital media technology. Its influence
cut across all sectors including, politics, business,
entertainment, fashion etc. The study examined the impact
the digital media have had on effective healthcare delivery
in Cross River State. Technology determinism theory was
adopted to drive the theoretical framework. The paper
argues that the exponential growth of digital media has led
to the emergence of more efficient, transparent and faster
healthcare delivery in Cross River. It triangulated Focus
Group Discussions as well as the In-depth interviews as
methods of data collection. Among other findings, the
study revealed that digital media technology has improved
Doctor and patient’s relationship because of the smooth
communication as well as the administration of overall
healthcare delivery in the state. It also showed that more
people rely on social media pages, online sources, health
blogs for health tips and information and that healthcare
is now more accessible and effective because of digital
media technology.
Keywords: Digital media, healthcare delivery, Cross River.
AMPHETAMINE-INDUCED PRESSURED SPEECH
Abstract
Amphetamine comes to its climax in the amphetamine
psychosis which, with its delusions and hallucinations, is
no less than schizophrenia, or rather paranoid schizophrenia
when the delusions are auditory, as they usually are. But
in the beginning, when things are not all black, amphetamine
abuse gets the consumer into a series of hypomanic
episodes characterized by euphoria, alertness, an
overwhelming sense of well-being and, in terms of
communication, a speech that, excessive as it is, could be
described as pressured, with the speaker giving in to his
flight of ideas and an overcoming sense of distractibility.
Keywords: amphetamine, hypomania, mania, flight of
ideas, pressured speech.
