A curated selection of public diplomacy-relevant news from a global cross-section of English-language media outlets, including independent, corporate-owned, and state-sponsored sources. The stories featured don't necessarily represent CPD's views nor have they been verified by CPD.
After the Fighting Stops
For those who like to see things in Manichean terms the brief but vicious conflict between Georgia and Russia last August was a frontline of a new global ideological battleground...It is now clear, however, that some western politicians were far too credulous in accepting Georgia's account of the immediate circumstances that led to the conflict, damaging their own credibility in the process.
Latin America Needs a Lesson in Branding
Here's some good news for Latin America: A new worldwide survey reveals that Brazil, Argentina and Mexico have a better image abroad than India, China, South Africa and most Central European countries. The bad news for Latin America, however, is that while some of its countries have a relatively good image abroad, their products don't. The 2008 Anholt-GFK Roper Nation Brand Index, a poll of 20,000 people around the world that measures the image of 50 nations, shows that Latin American products are still viewed with apprehension in the rest of the world.
Venezuela’s ‘Rock Star’ Conductor Brings China To Its Feet
The visit of Dudamel and the youth symphony has special resonance in China, a nation of rising musical power, where some 38 million students are believed to be studying piano and tens of millions practicing other instruments. China and Venezuela share a bond -- and perhaps a bit of rivalry -- over their musical gift. While China's musicians are renowned for technical proficiency, the Venezuelans are all passion.
Hollywood Film Accused of Insulting Iran
To its director, cast and seasoned critics, it is a tale of sporting redemption redolent of the Rocky Balboa character played by Sylvester Stallone - an ageing wrestler down on his luck staging an against-the-odds comeback for one last stirring victory. But for Iran's notoriously touchy media, it is the latest in a long line of perceived insults and anti-Iranian prejudice suffered at the hands of Hollywood.
Pentagon May Have Mixed Propaganda With PR
The Pentagon's inspector general said yesterday that the Defense Department's public affairs office may have "inappropriately" merged public affairs and propaganda operations in 2007 and 2008 when it contracted out $1 million in work for a strategic communications plan for use by the military in collaboration with the State Department.
An Interview with RFE/RL Chief Jeffrey Gedmin
While many observers of U.S. foreign policy have in recent years lamented the state of U.S. public diplomacy, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is widely seen as a bright spot amid a dim post-Cold War record of communicating and promoting U.S. values and interests to the world outside the United States.
For Many of Us, the Fun is Just Beginning… Who Will Be the Next Under Secretary?
Now that President-elect Obama has selected his Secretary of State, the word on the street about the critical job of Under Secretary of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs varies. The U/S role has been radically invigorated by Jim Glassman over his too brief tenure (made even briefer by Sen. Coburn). He had and continues to enjoy bipartisan and interagency support.
Foreign broadcasters not welcome
Azerbaijan’s government gave the BBC World Service and US international broadcasters Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) a December 31st cut off date. National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council (NTRBC) president Nushiravan Maharramli cited a 2002 law forbidding foreign broadcasts on radio and television frequencies with national coverage. Other foreign international broadcasters have been removed from local radio and television frequencies.
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