This dissertation explores the crucial relationship between contemporary processes of international migration and mediated communication processes and practices across the transnational social space, specifically in the case of the Salvadoran immigrant community in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. In this dissertation, I aim to articulate the theoretical frameworks of transnational studies, diasporic media studies and structuration theory for understanding the local and transnational dynamics of production, circulation and appropriation of mediated texts and the configuration of collective identity representations through local and transnational Spanish-language media. Based on a media ethnography approach, which includes seventy in-depth interviews, one focus group and participant observation developed during twelve weeks of fieldwork, I analyze a sample of Salvadoran radio and television transnational programs, discuss some alternatives forms of communication and cultural expression, evaluate the diasporic uses of the Internet and new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), and the formation of new hybrid identities among Salvadoran immigrants articulated through the sociocultural mediations of soccer, religion, popular music and the construct of an ethnic market.

I conclude that structuration theory provides important sensitizing devices for mass communication research, especially for analyzing the dynamic of agents and structures in the practices of communication and the levels of signification, domination and legitimation in the structuration of communicative processes in society. Likewise, I emphasize the role of transnational media programs as a central mechanism of deterritorialization and reterritorialization for sociocultural ethnic roots, collective identity representations and mediated reunifications of transmigrant families. Similarly, I propose that the development of the Spanish-language media in the United States and the increasing transnational networks among contemporary immigrant communities not only challenges the traditional conceptualization of cultural assimilation but also suggests ground-breaking possibilities for linking second and third generations with new ethnic and collective identity expressions. Finally, I outline a preliminary agenda for designing and implementing media and cultural policies in El Salvador, which can seriously take into consideration Salvadoran transmigrants’ communication and information needs. This Salvadoran diaspora is sustaining the national economy of El Salvador and deserves new sociocultural and political rights, and participation in the transnational public sphere of a democratic society.

This study analyzes media projects designed to contribute to the development of peace. Therefore, it examines post-Cold War mass communication projects developed in direct response to violent conflicts initiated by a party that is not involved in the conflict. The practical effort is named “peace media.”

The review of the literature from the fields of media effects, propaganda research, peace studies and communication for development offers a broad spectrum of studies pointing towards a common conclusion: mass media/communication indeed have the potential to affect populations in a variety of ways. The rhizomatic approach by Deleuze and Guattari was used as the theoretical foundation to the methods employed in the study. As a result, in-depth interviewing, text analysis and a quantitative effects assessment were used as the methods of inquiry. In order to fully understand the rhizomatic foundation of peace media, this study examined three kinds of data: interview transcripts, texts describing peace media projects and the quantitative data of audience effects conducted by practitioners.

Thirteen conflict sites in 18 countries generated a total of nearly forty peace media projects. The analysis begins with the description of the actors and practitioners responsible for peace media projects (who). It continues with an examination of media approaches to peace development (what), followed by a description of the beneficiaries of peace media (whom). The last two segments discuss the means of communication (channels) and examine the effects of peace media and the most effective utilization of such practices (effects).

The study concludes that the impact of media is both substantial and limited. Because action or behavior is dependent on many outside variables and because these variables contribute to the end result as much as any form of communication initiative, only the true integration of media within peacebuilding strategies can insure a significant move toward a peaceful society. In order for this to happen, the following four components need to be integrated in the media plan for conflict transformation: journalism, entertainment, advertising and regulation. The final chapter of the dissertation presents a set of recommendations for the future practice.

This research sets out to understand how communication can facilitate participatory development to improve poor people’s lives using the Comprehensive Rural Health Project (CRHP) in Jamkhed, India as a case study. For three and a half decades, CRHP has been using a holistic development approach for enhancing people’s health and well-being. CRHP helps poor families improve health through promotion and diffusion of new information, and through different communication practices empowers communities. Thus, communication is used at two levels: to provide new information and to engage people in a dialogue that leads to positive community action. The research used theoretical constructs guiding participatory communication such as critical thinking and problematization as a means for empowerment (Freire, 1970, 1973), the role of the communicator as a facilitator in orchestrating social change (White, 1999) and the role of para-professional aides and change agents in fostering the diffusion of new information and ideas for social change (Rogers, 2003). Two-months of fieldwork, conducted in six villages in the Jamkhed region, used multiple ethnographic methods.

The research concludes that communication processes using Freirean principles can contribute towards empowering poor people if conducted over a long period. Participatory communication and collective action can be successful if change agents act as facilitators and are sensitive to people’s needs. Furthermore, the research indicates that genuine participation is slow and social change is even slower. It also concludes that participatory development and empowerment are dialectical processes that rely on dissemination of expert knowledge and an open dialogue between experts and local people. CRHP shows that empowerment is possible if the project staff, change agents and community members are motivated and willing to continuously change and adapt to the environment, and also challenge oppressive social and political practices. The research concludes that communication practices are important in organizing people to come together and to seek social change, but larger political and structural changes are also necessary to complement individual and community-level actions.

While Africa is confronted with the urgency to provide its citizens with the basic requirements of life, the rest of the world is heading towards a ‘globally-networked’ information economy. Many communication scholars believe that without access to information resources and telecommunication services, an understanding of its significance, and the ability to use it for social and economic growth, Africa is facing an unavoidable predicament. This dissertation presents a case study of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Huruma Community Telecentre as an arena where governmental, non-governmental and other private organizations are collaborating to test the contribution that a Community Telecentre can make towards providing universal access to telephony and other telecommunications and information services to a disadvantaged community. While the theoretical starting point for this dissertation is grounded within communication and development theories, it employs Bijker, Hughes, and Trevor’s (1987) Social Construction of Technology concept of ‘interpretive flexibility.’ This constructivist approach offers the possibility of looking at the technological process and empowerment as a dynamic process where the ICT users are actively involved in its integration within their existing environment.

The study reveals that, while a number of factors have acted as barriers to communication access to information technology, the biggest hindrances are the lack of sound telecommunication regulations and clear government policies as well as the absence of an environment conducive to ICT development due to an inadequate telecommunication infrastructure. This dissertation employs the case study as an overall strategy and also draws upon multiple data sources to develop a triangulation of methods ranging from in-depth interviewing, participant observation, historical and document analysis as well as analysis of telecommunication debates in local newspapers over the last 4 years. The study concludes that, although the telecommunication is beginning to show some impact due to the partial privatization of the sector, it is too early to assess the overall impact of new media technologies on Africa’s development. This calls for a more realistic approach that incorporates the need to harness the potential of ICTs for purposes of addressing locally relevant problems in innovative and cost-effective ways.

This dissertation is a policy analysis of the broadcasting policy reform in Zimbabwe that resulted in the enactment of the Broadcasting Services Act in 2001. The study utilizes in-depth interviews and document analysis to examine whether the enactment of the Broadcasting Services Act has led to the establishment of a competitive, plural, and diverse broadcasting system thereby breaking away from the past tradition of an institutionalized state monopoly over the broadcast media.

The study reveals that, though the Broadcasting Services Act emphasizes the principles of competition, pluralism, diversity and media independence, the broadcasting terrain in Zimbabwe has not significantly changed. There is a huge gap between the stated objectives of the Broadcasting Services Act and the actual implementation of the Act. The politicians are still deeply steeped in the politics of uniformity of ideas and this explains why the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) remains the sole broadcaster in the country despite the passage of the Broadcasting Services Act in 2001.

Public radio represents a significant part of many universities. These same stations continue to be underrated resources, subject to little scholarly research. This study evaluates the levels of satisfaction and dissatisfaction among student and staff employees for eighteen job-related factors as originally identified by Frederick Herzberg.

Data was gathered via questionnaires developed by Frank Friedlander in conjunction with Herzberg. Statistical analysis was performed on the data. Qualitative interviews were conducted with members of management having supervisory duties. The study reveals general adherence to the theory and identifies areas of importance to staff and students. The study also identifies factors among student workers that differ from the theoretical expectations. Contrary to previous corporate studies, students in this investigation rated the hygiene issues of interpersonal relationships as significant elements of job satisfaction. The study concludes with a discussion of station manager realization and manipulation of these motivation-hygiene factors among his or her employees and suggestions for those in upper-administration and law-making positions.

The 1990s witnessed significant changes in the Turkish media landscape as state-controlled broadcasting gave way to the pressures of privatization, deregulation and the infiltration of global media and culture. The new communications space that has opened up with the help of global communication technologies has played an important role in the empowerment of marginal or forgotten groups and voices and their integration with the global system. This space often functions as an alternative public forum to question modernity and national-cultural identities, and to resist top-down economic, political, and cultural systems.

Drawing from the author's fieldwork experience in the underdeveloped southeastern Turkish city of Sanlinurfa, this dissertation explores how nascent local radio, despite its commercial character, constitutes an alternative medium for the young to communicate and be heard. In a region where traditions, the tribal social structure, and the strict interpretation of Islam put extreme pressures on use of the public sphere for social interaction and result in many rigorous constraints on the lives of the young, radio plays a crucial role in alleviating these constraints by functioning as both public and private spheres. Although marriages are arranged, dating is not tolerated, and unmarried women and men cannot enjoy conversation in the public spaces of Sanliurfa, the young manage to experience love and dating via the messages they send through arabesque song requests and conversations with radio DJs. For many youth, these message exchanges encourage independent romantic/emotional development outside the strictures of traditional arranged pairing, they provide a forum for criticism of traditional thinking and matrimonial customs, and they keep young people informed about their peers' struggles with love.

With the help of multi-sited ethnography, this dissertation explores not only the radio audiences' participation in call-in shows and song requests in attempts to overcome traditional restrictions and social norms but also how radio programming decisions are made, challenges that the DJs and producers face when maintaining such audience interaction, and criticisms against such use of commercial radio for the purpose of dating.

This dissertation deals with community radio in South Africa, before and after democratic elections in 1994. Adopting a case study approach and drawing on ethnographic methodology, the dissertation outlines the history of Bush Radio, the oldest community radio project in Africa. To demonstrate how Bush Radio creates community, this dissertation focuses on several cases within Bush Radio. The use of hip-hop for social change is explored.

Framed within theories of entertainment-education and behavior change, the dissertation explores specific programs on-air and outreach programs offered by the station. This dissertation also looks at kwaito music, a new hybrid musical form that emerged in South Africa post-apartheid. In particularly, the dissertation argues that Bush Radio uses kwaito music in the consolidation of a black identity in South Africa. Programs targeting children and youth are also discussed, and the dissertation argues that Bush Radio offers a space for the creation of a generation consciousness in the post-apartheid era. Finally, the dissertation looks at how Bush Radio creates and maintains a gay community through its program In the Pink. Rooted in cultural studies, this dissertation draws on the theory of rhizomatics espoused by Giles Deleuze and Felix Guattari, arguing for new, creative theorizations of alternative media. Furthermore, this dissertation uses Victor Turner’s communitas and Pierre Bourdieu’s habitus to deconstruct the community in community radio.

In particular, I argue that Bush Radio is not so much an organization as it is an organism, held together by a complex set of interlinked structures, with the concept of “community” pulsating as its central life-force. A kind of “body without organs” (Haraway, 1989), Bush Radio has no real essence – it is both the embodiment of community radio at its best - and its antithesis. Bush Radio is not a “bush” radio, geographically or figuratively. It sports state of the art digital equipment and a relatively sophisticated organizational structure, yet it is still deeply connected to the various communities it serves.

This study examines the impact of new information technologies (NITs) on the Burmese opposition movement-in-exile based in Thailand. The intent of the research is to determine whether NITs, primarily computers and the Internet, are helping to reduce, maintain, or intensify ethnic conflict within the movement. The study explores implications for political mobilization by examining what groups within the movement have access to which technologies, and how these groups understand and use global media and the discourses they produce.

The research is a multi-sited ethnography conceived within the epistemological framework of standpoint theory, providing an empirically grounded exploration of the Burmese opposition movement in both its local and global contexts. It employs participant observation, in-depth interviews and discourse analysis to examine the impact of global communications at the local level. The work begins with an historical examination of the development of the modern state in Burma, which provides the context for exploring how militarization, gender and ethnicity have affected the development of nationalisms and conflict defined largely as “ethnic” in nature. This is followed by a discussion of how the history and current state of communications both inside and outside Burma constrain attitudes toward the possible uses of communications technologies and media among the opposition-in-exile. An overview of opposition media investigates the degree to which these media have opened a space for dialogue between groups. Interviews with opposition activists and refugees from Burma demonstrate how the Burmese regime's militaristic values are both perpetuated and countered within the opposition movement itself.

The research finds that the introduction of NITs and patterns of foreign funding have reinforced existing hierarchies within the opposition movement. Finally, this study demonstrates how the "local" reinvents the "global" through the use of a global discourse of human rights which acts subtly but powerfully to shape social conventions within the movement. This results in an unstated hierarchy of human rights that perpetuates the inequitable gender and ethnic composition of the opposition political groups and the hierarchy of access and use of technologies among these groups.

This research explores the transition of the communication art form, Spoken Word, from the late 1960s to the present. It investigates how African American leaders, orators, and artists use this form of communication during specific periods in history - Black Arts Movement and Black Power Movement. The research also chronicles the usage of specific terms that are appropriated in culture, especially a 21st century "technologizing" culture. Moreover, it analyzes the similarities and differences between the past and present functions of Spoken Word as a communication tool. My method of investigation was auto-ethnography with an emphasis on history-telling as a way of connecting the artistic cultural praxis and traditional use of storytelling that embodies Spoken Word's performative characteristics in the African American culture.

In focusing on the National Columbus Slam team (from Columbus, Ohio) and participating as a member of the team, I reinforced our position as artists centrally located within this transitional use of orality. My subjects consist of six African American people, both females and males, between the ages of 26 and 34. Through in-depth interviews the poets conveyed their identity as active artists in the community of Columbus, Ohio, as well as abroad, and discussed their relationship as it pertains to events of the late 1960s/1970s and how these experiences influenced their art production. Because this research revolves around the cultural understanding of "identity" my results are not finite. Rather, it is an ongoing journey that allows for future generations to re-appropriate terms to accomplish specific goals that are prevalent and relevant at that particular time in history.

This study explores why and how nonprofit organizations in Appalachian Ohio adopt the Web. With the rapid spread of web-technology in society, nonprofit organizations must consider whether they can improve their operations and services by using this technology. While the primary focus of existing studies was placed on the relationships between organizational characteristics and information technology (IT) adoption, the influence of environmental factors on adoption has scarcely been investigated. Because of the dearth of literature, this study attempts to understand how environmental pressures influence the decision to adopt the Web and implement it. In particular it focuses on small nonprofit organizations in Appalachian Ohio, which are located in an economically and technologically disadvantaged area for Web adoption. Grounded in the integration of resource dependency theory, institutional theory, and the strategic choice perspective, this study explicates the adoption process of advanced technology in a complex nonprofit environment.

After examining ways in which the nonprofit organizations in the region used the Web through a content analysis of their web sites, multiple case studies were conducted to better understand why these organizations used the Web in particular ways. The results of the content analysis show very low Web adoption among smaller nonprofit organizations in Appalachian Ohio especially when it came to strategic Web uses. The subsequent case studies of those who used the Web strategically demonstrated that pressures from both the task and institutional environments influenced their Web adoption and use. While institutional expectations of Web deployment have increasingly motivated these organizations to adopt the Web, Web use was affected by resource dependency. Even though the environment surrounding small nonprofits in rural areas has become supportive for Web use with the diffusion of the Internet, decision-making regarding Web use was still strongly determined by resource providers. While satisfied with their current Web use, these nonprofit organizations realized the need to focus more on a client-oriented approach that would strengthen the ties between the organization, their clients, and their contributors, thereby increasing the trust level among them as well as support from them.

This dissertation studies the degree of opposition that the Honduran electorate manifests to dominant codes of the traditional political parties' televised presidential electoral advertising. The main purpose is to generate useful information and electoral alternative strategies to strengthen minority political parties that have been historically committed to political change in an attempt to improve the socioeconomic conditions of marginalized social groups in Honduras. This dissertation attempt to achieve three objectives: (1)To draw on the literature of critical cultural studies to construct a frame useful to interrogate a specific body of televised political commercials and an electorate's response to those political electoral texts; (2)To examine two aspects of political communication: first, the processes through which advertising agencies in Honduras encode values and conventional symbols in televised political advertisements; and second, the oppositional decoded position that is constructed by the critical responses of Honduran voters towards traditional televised electoral advertising; (3)To contribute to a more profound discussion of both methodology and theory as they relate to the study of mass media political communication.

Reception analysis was the method applied in this study, which examined voters' reaction to televised presidential electoral advertisements used by the traditional Honduran political parties, captured through the application of an open ended qualitative questionnaire and a close-ended quantitative survey. Both methods explored the different type of responses expressed by the participants through the decoding of televised presidential electoral commercials. Two primary sources were used as examples for the application of the methods of this dissertation: David Morley's Nationwide Audience of the study of televised program encoding/decoding, and Hall's discussion of decoding positions. The systematization of decoding positions from both the qualitative and quantitative methods made possible a comparative analysis between the responses. The dominant-hegemonic decoded position is mainly conformed by women and sweatshop workers; the negotiated by professionals within the technical type of professions; and the oppositional by students and professionals within the Social Sciences. Theoretically, this dissertation contributes to an expansion of methodology through the successful combination of qualitative and quantitative methods applied to a type of research that has conventionally used only a qualitative approach.

The 1990s was a time of profound economic and political transformation for Thailand. Through major events of economic boom and bust, 1992 political crisis, and democratization of politics, Thailand drafted a new constitution and undertook major political and economic restructuring. Within the context of Thai telecommunications policy restructuring from the beginning of the 1992 to the end of 2000, this study describes the development of Thai Internet and analyzes the policymaking process of telecommunications industry reforms.

The study employs John W. Kingdon's political model of policy process and J. P. Singh's conceptual framework of factors determining telecommunications restructuring and state types in decision-making process to analyze the role of multiple policy forces and the role of the Thai state in network policy formation. While the main impetus for restructuring is Thailand's aspiration to become the economic hub of Southeast Asia, a myriad of forces are found to be at work in telecommunications policy reforms. Economic integration and global liberalization agenda enforced by the WTO and the IMF have had direct impact on the country's policymaking. Domestically, in the juxtaposition of maturing democracy and intensifying money politics, business interests become increasingly influential in telecommunications policymaking through more direct political maneuvering at the top levels. There is also a burgeoning influence from public interest groups and the Senate. The plurality of interests in the policy process hampers the ability of the state to direct policy outcome. In the system where policymaking is plagued by vested interests and political squabbles, the policymaking function of the state is seriously undermined and the development of Thai Internet suffers as a result.

Many scholars of electoral politics argue that differentiated press coverage exists for male and female candidates, which explains why women can fare poorly in political campaigns. However, the majority of research about political candidates focuses on national and statewide elections to the detriment of local political campaigns. This investigation contributes to existing research on political candidates on the local level. In 1999, Republican Party candidate Sue Anne Gilroy and Democratic Party candidate Bart Peterson contested for the Indianapolis mayoral seat. To many observers, Gilroy was advantaged because the Republicans controlled local politics and had easily won the mayoral office for over 30 years. The Democratic Party candidate, Bart Peterson, was a relative unknown to Indianapolis politics. In the end, however, Peterson defeated Gilroy by winning 52% of the votes. Analyzing the 1999 Indianapolis mayoral election as a case study in examining how male and female candidates are framed in the press, this research evaluates the local newspapers' coverage of the major party candidates during the general election period.

The theory of framing analysis guided this study, particularly two frames that are common to the study of elections: gender frame and news frame. Quantitative content analysis was utilized as a research technique to establish the persistent patterns present in the reporting of the candidates. Personal interviews of the campaign managers were conducted to gain insights into the candidates' campaign experience. Statistical analyses of the local newspaper coverage of the Indianapolis mayoral election revealed that neither gender frame nor news frame were significant in the local press coverage of the election. However, some subtle qualitative differences emerged. The results of this study suggest that other frames may have been operative that influenced the election campaign. Yet, the interviews revealed that gender was a factor in the election campaign. Thus, while the issue of gender may not have been obvious in the press, it continues to have a role in political elections.

Broadcasting and telecommunications systems in Thailand have long been controlled by the government under state monopoly policy. In 1997, the new constitution was enacted and introduced a new approach to managing radio frequencies in the public interest. This study examines the policy-making process that led to broadcasting and telecommunications reforms designed to promote education in Thailand. This process resulted in the provisions on frequency management in Section 40 of the 1997 Constitution and other related legislation. The research is intended to provide an understanding of the development of media policies in Thailand, and explain recent efforts to promote education through changes in these policies.

A qualitative approach was adopted. The data were collected from contemporary documentation, participant observation, and in-depth interviews. The analysis of the data was conducted using the theoretical framework developed by Kingdon (1995) and Heclo's (1978) concept of issue networks. This study found that, while the media reform policies in general can be best explained by Kingdon's (1995) stream convergence model, the development of media reforms specifically to promote education was a result of cooperation among academics and senior educators in issue networks dealing with the uses of technology for education. The author concludes that, among various factors influencing the recent reforms in broadcasting and telecommunications in Thailand, politics proved to be the most significance. The change in the political system from authoritarianism to a more democratic rule in the 1990s weakened the political power of the military and strengthened the activities of civil society, which contributed to policy changes in many areas. In contrast to Kingdon's (1995) study, the participants inside the government did not perform an active role in this policy-making process. The alliance between the academics and the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) created a powerful effort to affect the policy agenda and the selection of alternatives. Moreover, the business interest groups were not active participants because they shared mutual benefits with the government from the status quo, and never believed that the government would let go its large benefits from the monopoly it has long held.

The study investigates the factors that influence the diffusion and adoption of satellite television service in Malaysia. It also examines the time spent viewing satellite and public television in the presence of satellite television service. In addition, the study analyzes the broadcasting changes in Malaysia in terms of structure and policy between its introduction in 1963 and the development of direct broadcast satellites in 1996. Based on a review of literature on diffusion of innovations theory, the study developed research questions and methods.

The study employed a quantitative method in data collection and analysis. An audience survey was done in Subang Jaya, Malaysia. The results show that socioeconomic and cultural factors are influential in determining the adoption of satellite television service. The socioeconomic factors identified are education, income, travels overseas, last trip overseas, media availability at home, age, marital status, race and language used at home. The cultural factors identified are television viewing hours, frequency of viewing foreign programs and motivation for entertainment. In determining the diffusion rate of satellite television service, the study finds that education, travels overseas, age, race and marital status are influential factors that determine how relatively early or late the adoption takes place. The study also finds that the time spent viewing satellite television will depend on income, travels overseas, media availability at home, marital status, television viewing hours, frequency of viewing foreign programs, frequency of viewing alone and motivation for entertainment, escape, companionship and habit. The time spent viewing public television will depend on income, education, gender, race, television viewing hours, frequency of viewing with family and motivation for learning, talking about with friends, companionship and habit.

The study concludes that socioeconomic factors associated with income are the key factors that influence the adoption of satellite television service. Satellite television is often associated with entertainment, while public television is often associated with learning. Recommendations are made for future research.

Latinos comprise the fastest growing and most racially/ethnically diverse minority groups in the United States, yet it is a group that is greatly misunderstood. One factor in perpetuating the misconceptions about Latinos is the belief that they constitute one homogeneous group. This misconception has prevented researchers, in all fields, from fully understanding the Latino experience in its totality. This study is an attempt to address this problem by examining media use and acculturation in the Puerto Rican community. Based on previous research on Uses and Gratifications, identity, and acculturation, this study sought to determine if and how cultural identity and acculturation correlated with media use. Puerto Ricans, from both the island and mainland, were surveyed to determine their media use, levels of cultural identification and acculturation to the United States. The sample included both mainland and island participants to measure differences in acculturation and media use between those more closely tied to the island's culture and those more closely tied to the mainland (English-speaking) culture.

The results of the study show surprising little difference between mainland and island Puerto Ricans in the their media use. Recent migrants do not exhibit any marked difference in the gratifications sought from the media. This is contrary to other studies that have examined immigrant groups. This study also finds that there is a high level of Spanish language media use among all Puerto Ricans, both on the island and the mainland. An unexpected result is the high level of English language media use among Puerto Ricans living on the island. Finally, the results show that higher levels acculturation have an effect on the media language preference of Puerto Ricans, but this effect was not as powerful as was expected based on previous research.

Through the use of oral histories, this study looks at the social impact of electronic media usage on rural Appalachia. Starting with radio's inception in the 1920s and 30s, followed by television's arrival in the 1950s and 60s, and ending with the current expansion of the Internet, I examine respondents' memories of each medium, how they used them, and the impact electronic media had on their lives. Given the strong sense of community and family within the Appalachian region, this work investigates how the arrival of electronic communication technology enhanced or disrupted the sense of community.

The first chapter of this dissertation positions the researcher and looks at the history of Appalachia, the problems faced by its residents, and images of the region. Chapter Two examines the methodology and theory used in collecting oral histories and interpreting data. In Chapter Three, I focus on ethnicity and identity issues that contribute to the diverse makeup of the peoples of Appalachia, using the Melungeon community as a case study. Chapter Four looks at the inception of radio and how it helped connect rural Appalachia to the rest of the nation and to the world at large. I also examine how mutually influencing technologies and social transformation affect the dissemination of most communication technologies. Rural electrification, for example, had a significant overall impact on rural Appalachia's social history. It was perhaps electricity's arrival, more than the evolution of the medium of radio itself that changed people's listening habits. In Chapter Five, I look at the impact television had on the region. Although the concurrent arrival of television and electricity into the region allowed for a more casual interaction with TV (as compared to radio's arrival), early television also served as a unifying factor as it precipitated gatherings at friends' and neighbors' houses throughout the community. Chapter Six examines how the Melungeons have embraced the Internet as a way of connecting to one another. In Chapter Seven, I summarize my findings with concluding remarks.

Taha, Mustafa Hashim. Web campaigning and the 2000 presidential election: A new paradigm in political communication. Advisor: Flournoy,D.

News media were criticized for their “horse race” coverage of political campaigns. Candidates' views and positions were filtered through media lenses and framed in ways that might not be fair or beneficial to some candidates. Moreover, candidates were infrequently allowed to speak for themselves and have direct mass-mediated communication with voters. The study argues that Web campaigning is a new paradigm that allowed candidates to bypass traditional media and communicate directly with voters. This process of disintermediation enables candidates to provide in-depth campaign information to voters at affordable cost. Because of its interactivity, the Web has the potential of making political campaigns more voter-driven.

Based on review of literature on media coverage of political campaigns, this study asked questions that investigated the uses of candidates' Websites during the 2000 presidential election. The study also investigated the use of the Web by political science professors and political consultants, and sought their views on Web campaigning. The study employed two quantitative research methods: analysis of content, and a survey instrument. The study finds that the Web provided the 2000 presidential candidates with more opportunities to tell their stories, advance their agendas, frame campaign issues, attack opponents and respond to opponents' attacks. The candidates used their Websites for Webcasting, narrowcasting and getting out the vote.

The study also finds that some of the candidates used their Websites effectively to raise money and recruit volunteers. The study concludes that the 2000 presidential candidates used their Websites to provide substantive information to voters, set the agendas, frame the issues, recruit volunteers and raise money online during the campaign. The study also concludes that because the candidates wanted to control the agendas, they did not utilize the Web's interactive features to engage voters in online debates. Unless voters demand that Web campaigning be more interactive, candidates will continue to use the Web as they have used traditional media.

This quantitative content analysis investigates American elite news media's reporting on China. The six media under study are: The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and evening news on three broadcast networks--ABC, CBS, and NBC. The specific data collected are key words reflecting all the themes or topics referred to in each news story as registered by Newspaper Abstracts and Evening News Abstracts. This study accesses a full description of the media content in the years after the Tiananmen Square tragedy, 1995. The reporting focus, the major topic themes, the patterns of coverage over time, and the similarities and differences across media are described via an exhaustive keyword study of By applying Perl programming, factor analysis, and other statistical strategies, the study yielded the following findings: (1) the six American news media provided a large volume of news events about China, but with limited diversity of event type; (2) twenty major themes were identified with the complex connections between the subtopics and their underlying common themes; (3) the monthly and yearly chronicle reporting patterns during the six years were identified; and (4) the three newspapers differed significantly among themselves in terms of reporting quantity, while the three broadcast networks showed significant agreement with each other in both reporting quantity and topics.

It is hoped that the analysis might provide insight into future studies of more meaningful content study, which should combine content analyses with effect study and audience research to explore the assumptions of communication theories such as agenda-setting and framing. Expanding or deepening content study in all dimensions will provide knowledge concerning not only what the media report, but how and why it is reported.