by KIDENDEI CEGERETI

According to Moyer, 2015

In the meantime, corporate leaders can do their part to improve how their companies communicate. Here are five steps to take.

1.Recruit talented, senior-level communications executives with solid business skills and deep knowledge of the company’s products and processes.

According to David Moyer, president of the executive search firm Moyer, Sherwood Associates, Inc., which specializes in corporate communications and PR, the challenges of the role now make it more essential for candidates to hold an MBA.More broadly, companies need to give communications chiefs the titles, reporting relationships, access, and resources to be effective companywide. And that means investing in senior communications roles for the long-term.

Communications professionals like to tout their ability to be quick studies. But it can take years to truly know a company's business, and a communications person without the right level of industry knowledge won't get the respect it takes to do an effective job. Being the perpetual new kid on the block is a strategic liability.

2. Learn to trust and understand the communications function.
Management can’t get away with listening to its communications leaders with half an ear. Companies "need to learn more about communications and the communications consequences of their actions and not treat it like a foreign language," urges Moyer. Otherwise, they'll end up spending too much time mopping up after crises as opposed to preempting them. Not only can that be tremendously expensive, but communication blunders can do real damage to companies' brands.

3. Let communications leaders advise and educate the C-suite. 
If corporations need to listen better to their communications leaders, then the reverse is also true. Communications execs need to help other leaders understand why they're important. "Good communications chiefs recognize that one leg of their job is representing communications to senior management," says Moyer. "They can point to communication wins in that area with the same pride they do to a media relations victory outside. The CFO or the head of engineering doesn’t need to explain their functions the same way. But the communications person needs to do this."Companies shouldn't compound their problems by obfuscating or denying responsibility for problems.

4. Eliminate command-and-control communications.
The best companies are transparent, and when they are wrong, they promptly admit it rather than hide behind 'corporate speak, Clark says. Closing ranks can be dangerous in the digital age, but it's a most common reaction when things go wrong. "Apologize, take responsibility, and do what's necessary to right the wrong. Companies shouldn't compound their problems by obfuscating or denying responsibility for problems; that simply drags out the story and ensures it'll be at the top of news headlines and Twitter feeds for days and weeks to come."

5. Let employees be ambassadors, Clark advises. 
Don’t gag them on social media. "Smart, far-sighted companies recognize that if employees are using social media anyway, you might as well tap that power," she says. "Give them information about the company's vision, goals, and what it's doing, and allow them to spread that positive message online. They'll have far more credibility among their friends and contacts that your official brand page ever could.

The new economy

 is the result of the transition from a manufacturing-based economy to a service-based economy. This particular use of the term was popular during the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s. The high growth, low inflation and high employment of this period led to overly optimistic predictions and many flawed business plans.

A 1983 cover article in Time magazine, "The New Economy", described the transition from heavy industry to a new technology based economy. By 1997 Newsweek was referring to the "new economy" in many of its articles.

After a nearly 25-year period of unprecedented growth, the United States experienced a much discussed economic slowdown beginning in 1972. However, around 1995, U.S. economic growth accelerated, driven by faster productivity growth. From 1972 to 1995, the growth rate of output per hour, a measure of labor productivity, had only averaged around one-percent per year. But by the mid 1990s, growth became much faster: 2.65 percent from 1995–99. America also experienced increased employment and decreasing inflation. The economist Robert J. Gordon referred to this as a Goldilocks economy-the result of five positive "shocks" – "the two traditional shocks (food-energy and imports) and the three new shocks (computers, medical care, and measurement)"

Other economists pointed to the ripening benefits of the computer age, being realized after a delay much like that associated to the delayed benefits of electricity shortly after the turn of the twentieth century. Gordon contended in 2000, that the benefits of computers were marginal or even negative for the majority of firms, with their benefits being consolidated in the computer hardware and durable goods manufacturing sectors, which only represent a relatively small segment of the economy. His method relied on applying considerably sized gains in the business cycle to explain aggregate productivity growth.

According to another point of view, the "new economy" is a current Kondratiev wave which will end after a 50-year period in the 2040s. Its innovative basis includes Internet,nanotechnologies, telematics and bionics.

Dot-coms

In the financial markets, the term has been associated with the Dot-com bubble. This included the emergence of the NASDAQ as a rival to the New York Stock Exchange, a high rate of IPOs, the rise of Dot-com stocks over established firms, and the prevalent use of such tools as stock options. In the wider economy the term has been associated with practices such as outsourcing, business process outsourcing and business process re-engineering.

At the same time, there was a lot of investment in the companies of the technology sector. Stock shares rose dramatically. A lot of start-ups were created and the stock value was very high where floated. Newspapers and business leaders were starting to talk of new business models. Some even claimed that the old laws of economics did not apply anymore and that new laws had taken their place. They also claimed that the improvements in computer hardware and software would dramatically change the future, and that information is the most important value in the new economy.

Some, such as Joseph Stiglitz and Blake Belding, have suggested that a lot of investment in information technology, especially in software and unused fibre optics, was useless. However, this may be too harsh a judgment, given that U.S. investment in information technology has remained relatively strong since 2002. While there may have been some overinvestment, productivity research shows that much of the investment has been useful in raising output.

The recession of 2001, disproved many of the more extreme predictions made during the boom years, and gave credence to Gordon's minimization of computers' contributions. However, subsequent research. strongly suggests that productivity growth has been stimulated by heavy investment in information and communication technology. Furthermore, strong productivity growth after the 2001 recession makes it likely that many of the gains of the late 1990s may endure.

By Wilbrod Regina

BAPRM 42683

Types of virtual communities

Internet message boards

An online message board is a forum where people can discuss thoughts or ideas on various topics. Online message centers allow users to choose which thread, or board of discussion, users would like to read or contribute to. A user will start a discussion by making a post on a thread. Other users who choose to respond can follow the discussion by adding their own post to that thread. Message boards are not conversation based because user responses do not have to take place right away. Whenever the user revisits the message board, he/she can make a response. Unlike a conversation, message boards do not have an instantaneous response and require that users actively go to the site to check for responses.

Anyone can register to participate in an online message board. A message board is unique because people can choose to participate and be a part of the virtual community, even if they choose not to contribute their thoughts and ideas. Registered users can simply view the various threads or contribute if they choose to. Message boards can also accommodate an almost infinite number of users, while the number of users who can be accommodated by a single chat room is limited at least in practice.

Internet users' urges to talk to and reach out to strangers online opposes real-life encounters where people are hesitant and often unwilling to step in to help strangers. Studies have shown that people are more likely to intervene if they are the only one in the situation. With Internet message boards, a user sitting at his or her computer is the only one present in their online experience, which might have to do with why they are more willing to reach out. Another possible reason for this is that people can withdraw from a situation much easier online. They can simply click exit or log off, whereas they would have to find a physical exit and deal with the repercussions of trying to leave a situation in real life. The lack of status that is presented with an online identity also might encourage people because if you choose to keep it private, there is no label of gender, age, ethnicity or lifestyle associated with yourself.

Online chat rooms

Shortly after the rise of interest in message boards and forums, people started to want a way of communicating with their "communities" in real time. The downside to message boards was that people would have to wait until another user replied to their posting, which, with people all around the world in different time frames, could take a while. The development of online chat rooms allowed people to talk to whoever was online at the same time they were. This way, messages were sent and online users could immediately respond.

The original development by CompuServe CB hosted forty channels in which users could talk to one another in real time. The idea of forty different channels led to the idea of chat rooms that were specific to different topics. Users could choose to join an already existent chat room they found interesting, or start a new "room" if they found nothing to their liking. Real-time chatting was also brought into virtual games, where people could play against one another and also talk to one another through text. Now, chat rooms can be found on all sorts of topics, so that people can talk with others who share similar interests. Chat rooms are now provided by Internet Relay Chat (IRC) and other individual websites such as Yahoo, MSN, and AOL.

Chat room users communicate through text-based messaging. Most chat room providers are similar and include an input box, a message window, and a participant list. The input box is where users can type their text-based message to be sent to the providing server. The server will then transmit the message to the computers of anyone in the chat room so that it can be displayed in the message window. The message window allows the conversation to be tracked and usually places a time stamp once the message is posted. There is usually a list of the users who are currently in the room, so that people can see who is in their virtual community.

By Kyeju Diana

BAPRM 42589

What Kind of Damage Can Cyberterrorism Do

Since cyberterrorism is such a new brand of crime, we as a society do tend to be somewhat complacent when it comes to cybersecurity. However, in the near future, we can only expect to hear more about both cyberterrorism threats and actual incidents.

“The threat will only grow with the passage of time,” said Levy. “And it’s up to everyone to begin treating it as it deserves to be treated: with respect.”

Currently, the most frightening potential attacks are those that come from all angles. Baumgartner envisions a scenario in which cyberterrorists simultaneously disrupt communications systems, infrastructure controls and financial markets. Such a wide-net strike would be difficult to pull off, but the resources may exist—for the right price.

“It somewhat depends on the attackers’ goals and capabilities,” he said, “but capabilities are for sale.”

In terms of actually inciting terror, most rightfully fear bombings and explosions more than anything else. But the damage caused by cyberterrorism attacks can induce a different brand of fear since they are orchestrated by a faceless evildoer.

“Tangibly, we can all relate: a power plant could be taken offline, a company’s finances could be wrecked and a region’s ability to communicate wiped out,” said Levy. “Intangibly, the psychological impact could be even greater and longer-lasting, as cyberterrorism strikes at the very heart of what makes us feel safe in a supposedly safe society.”

This can lead to a feeling of helplessness. “It allows enemies to easily bypass the traditional barriers of military and geography, and it allows them to get at the soft underbelly of day-to-day society,” said Levy. “Fear of these types of attacks, in many respects, is just as debilitating as the overt effects might be.”

While definitive, public accounts of large-scale acts of cyberterrorism can be difficult to come by, there have been some comparatively smaller-scale examples of cyberattacks in the recent past. The hacker group Anonymous, for example, has launched multiple attacks against authorities. Founded in 2003, this group of loosely associated hackers is extremely opposed to any type of internet surveillance and censorship.

“These attacks illustrate the broadly disruptive impact of a distributed, focused campaign to take down resources controlled by forces they deem the enemy,” said Levy. “Chicago’s police department, for example, was taken down earlier this year, and law enforcement agencies in Ontario had usernames and passwords published by hackers claiming to be affiliated with Anonymous.”

While groups with agendas similar to Anonymous will likely continue to carry out attacks regardless of the day’s political climate, social factors have driven other hacktivists to action. “The Occupy movement as well as the Arab Spring spawned an upsurge in this type of activity,” said Levy.

With respect to governmental organizations, Stuxnet, a malicious computer “worm” designed to interfere with the nuclear program in Iran, was accidentally discovered in 2010 when the virus left the digital perimeter of Iran’s Natanz plant and reached the wider internet. According to the New York Times, this malicious code was developed by both the United States and Israel. Since then, two new versions of this worm have been discovered.

In May 2012, another piece of malware, a virus called Flame, was uncovered. This virus infiltrated the computers of high-ranking officials in Iran with the goal of collecting information. Flame appeared to be approximately five years old when it is was found, and the Washington Post has reported that it was designed by the United States; publicly, U.S. officials have not stated that they were responsible for creating this particular virus.

During April and May of 2007, Estonia was the victim of violence, riots and cyberattacks after officials moved a memorial commemorating the Soviet liberation of Estonia from the Nazis during World War
BY PROTAS LEVINA BAPRM 42657

What is effective communication

Communication is about more than just exchanging information. It's about understanding the emotion and intentions behind the information. Effective communication is also a two-way street. It’s not only how you convey a message so that it is received and understood by someone in exactly the way you intended, it’s also how you listen to gain the full meaning of what’s being said and to make the other person feel heard and understood.

More than just the words you use, effective communication combines a set of skills including nonverbal communication, engaged listening, managing stress in the moment, the ability to communicate assertively, and the capacity to recognize and understand your own emotions and those of the person you’re communicating with.

Effective communication is the glue that helps you deepen your connections to others and improve teamwork, decision making, and problem solving. It enables you to communicate even negative or difficult messages without creating conflict or destroying trust.

While effective communication is a learned skill, it is more effective when it’s spontaneous rather than formulaic. A speech that is read, for example, rarely has the same impact as a speech that’s delivered (or appears to be delivered) spontaneously. Of course, it takes time and effort to develop these skills and become an effective communicator. The more effort and practice you put in, the more instinctive and spontaneous your communication skills will become.

Barriers to effective interpersonal communication

Stress and out-of-control emotion. 
When you’re stressed or emotionally overwhelmed, you’re more likely to misread other people, send confusing or off-putting nonverbal signals, and lapse into unhealthy knee-jerk patterns of behavior. Take a moment to calm down before continuing a conversation.
Lack of focus. 
You can’t communicate effectively when you’re multitasking. If you’re planning what you’re going to say next, daydreaming, checking text messages, or thinking about something else, you’re almost certain to miss nonverbal cues in the conversation. You need to stay focused on the moment-to-moment experience.
Inconsistent body language. 
Nonverbal communication should reinforce what is being said, not contradict it. If you say one thing, but your body language says something else, your listener will likely feel you’re being dishonest. For example, you can’t say “yes” while shaking your head no.
Negative body language.
If you disagree with or dislike what’s being said, you may use negative body language to rebuff the other person’s message, such as crossing your arms, avoiding eye contact, or tapping your feet. You don’t have to agree, or even like what’s being said, but to communicate effectively without making the other person defensive, it’s important to avoid sending negative signals

BY PROTAS LEVINA BAPRM 42657

New media

New media most commonly refers to content available on-demand through the Internet , accessible on any digital device, usually containing interactive user feedback and creative participation. Common examples of new media include websites such as
online newspapers , blogs , or wikis ,
video games , and social media. A defining characteristic of new media is dialogue. New Media transmit content through connection and conversation. It enables people around the world to share, comment on, and discuss a wide variety of topics. Unlike any of past technologies, New Media is grounded on an interactive community. [1]
Most technologies described as "new media" are digital, often having characteristics of being manipulated, networkable, dense , compressible , and interactive . [2] Some examples may be the Internet , websites, computer multimedia, video games ,
augmented reality , CD-ROMS, and DVDs. New media are often contrasted to "old media," such as television, radio, and print media, although scholars in communication and media studies have criticised rigid distinctions based on oldness and novelty. [3] New media does not include television programs (only analog broadcast), feature films,
magazines , books, or paper-based publications – unless they contain technologies that enable digital interactivity. [4] Wikipedia , an online encyclopedia, is an example, combining Internet accessible digital text, images and video with web-links, creative participation of contributors, interactive feedback of users and formation of a participant community of editors and donors for the benefit of non-community readers. Facebook is an example of the social media model, in which most users are also participants. Wikitude is an example for augmented reality. It displays information about the users' surroundings in a mobile camera view, including image recognition, 3D modeling and location-based approach to augmented reality.
History
In the 1950s, connections between computing and radical art began to grow stronger. It was not until the 1980s that Alan Kay and his co-workers at Xerox PARC began to give the computability of a personal computer to the individual, rather than have a big organization be in charge of this. "In the late 1980s and early 1990s, however, we seem to witness a different kind of parallel relationship between social changes and computer design . Although causally unrelated, conceptually it makes sense that the
Cold War and the design of the Web took place at exactly the same time." [4]
Writers and philosophers such as
Marshall McLuhan were instrumental in the development of media theory during this period. His now famous declaration in Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man (1964) that " the medium is the message" drew attention to the too often ignored influence media and technology themselves, rather than their "content," have on humans' experience of the world and on society broadly
BY PROTAS LEVINA BAPRM 42657

DIGITALITY
BY KIDENDEI SEGERETI

The rise of digital has completely remodelled the media sector. Media convergence is a reality. The boundaries between traditional media and digital media are ever more blurred.

For example, social media are hosting more and more professionally-made content and are an increasingly important route to news.

Take the Discover feature of the instant messenger Snapchat, housing content from both broadcasters and publishers.

Or the recent agreement between Facebook and some publishers, allowing them to offer their content directly on the platform and sharing or letting them manage advertising revenues.

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism just published these days shows that in countries like Germany, France, UK, Italy, and Spain Facebook is increasingly the vehicle to deliver news.

The same report also shows that a significant proportion of young people no longer wait to watch the evening television news. They prefer to find out what is going on as it happens from a multiple source of online media sources.

Messaging services are also increasingly prominent: one-quarter of Spanish internet users said they have read, watched or discussed news on WhatsApp.

Traditional and new media are quickly converging into a larger, predominantly-digital media environment.

Physical boundaries – including among national media markets – are becoming less relevant, thanks for instance to mobile technologies.

The good news is that Europe has a very strong and high-quality media sector. In such a mutable context, we only need to make sure that media are up to speed as regards innovation and that our regulatory framework is adapted to the new environment. I will therefore focus my intervention on three main aspects:

1. Implications for media businesses

New players join the market, new hybrid services become ever more popular, and a huge quantity of audiovisual content is available. This can bring new ways of monetising content, new sources of advertising revenue and new possibilities to reach out to consumers directly and through innovative methods. New market niches and opportunities for international development become available

• There are also challenges. Established models and practices might have to be re-assessed. And some players are struggling more than others to adapt.e with you some thoughts about the implications of media convergence for media businesses;

• Secondly, I will present the work the Commission has undertaken towards a regulatory modernisation for the digital single market, including for audiovisual media services;

• Finally, I'll say a few words about the importance of preserving media freedom and pluralism.

One of the challenges is to keep up to speed as regard innovation. I refer in particular to the necessity of investing more in research and technology innovation.

2. The regulatory framework

The EU Digital Single Market Strategy

The Digital Single Market (DSM) Strategy that the Commission unveiled on 6 May will lead to a more integrated EU market, with better services at better prices and more choice.

In monetary terms, bringing down digital barriers within Europe could contribute an additional EUR 415 billion to European GDP.

The Strategy revolves around three main pillars:

o        improving access to online goods and services across Europe.

o        digital networks and innovative services.

o        maximizing the growth potential of the Digital Economy.

3. Media freedom and pluralism

I would like to conclude by mentioning a crucial value for the EU: media freedom and pluralism.

Whether a media outlet is so-called traditional or online, media practitioners will always have to be warranted the right to report facts and offer their views and opinions.

Political pressure, economic hardship, physical attacks against journalists, restrictive legislation, and a general financial crisis in the sector all influence the media's ability to operate freely.