Suchergebnisse

The research is devoted to the study of the topic of networkization of the socio-political space that is relevant in the context of the informatization of modern society. The author analyzes one of the displays of modern politics networkization in the paper. Its demonstration is associated with the growing social and political role of territorial Internet communities. The functioning of one of the Nizhny Novgorod Internet communities is studied as an example. The theoretical basis of the study is the theory of the information society and several concepts: the concept of the network community and the concept of the network identity. The paper uses content-analysis and comparative analysis as the applied analysis methods. The results of the study do not confirm the assumption that network communities' functioning contributes to an increased degree of civic engagement. However, the analysis confirms another assumption that public and political communication using the Internet community increases the efficiency of interaction between government and society, as it helps to improve the quality of feedback from the authorities. The author supposes that the display of the network identity factor affects the change in the degree of citizens' involvement in interaction with the authorities.

Last June, a group of Italian MPs proposed jail terms and fines for authors of so-called "pro-ana" (anorexia) and "pro-mia" (bulimia) websites. These are self-styled online communities on eating disorders which are viewed as promoting extreme dieting and unhealthy eating practices. France and the United Kingdom preceded Italy's attempt to pass restrictive legislation as far back as 2008-9, and many internet service providers also endeavoured to ban these contents.

Our Special Issue captures the interplay of media, politics, religion, and culture in shaping Arabs' search for more stable governing models at crossroads of global, regional, and national challenges through systematic and integrated analyses of evolving and contested Arab visual and performing arts, including media (traditional and alternative), in revolutionary and unstable public spheres. This special issue examines the role of new media in the construction of online communities in the Arab world. It contributes to the understanding of how user-generated content empowers these new publics and the novel communities established by user comments on social media and news websites. Specifically, it explores these online communities and their perceptions of the role of user-generated content to contribute to politics, and potentially engage other citizens in the public debate.