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.

US Urges Cambodia to Drop Ban on Foreign Broadcasts

The United States on Friday slammed a ban on foreign radio broadcasts by the Cambodian government in the run-up to next month's elections as a "serious infringement" on press freedom. The Cambodian information ministry had published a directive banning broadcasts of foreign-produced radio programs for 31 days before the July 28 vote, State Department deputy spokesman Patrick Ventrell said.

Tags: united states, media, international broadcasting, government pd, public diplomacy, asia, cambodia, radio free asia

Gendering Cuba’s Blogosphere

It’s not uncommon for the Castro regime to accuse dissidents of being CIA agents or puppets of the U.S. government. Viral media attacks on Cuban blogger Yoani Sánchez are not unique. However, the manner in which they attack Sánchez and other female dissidents, compared to their male counterparts, does seem unique.

Tags: united states, media, social media, cuba, gender, yoani sanchez, blogs

His Big Idea: Ehab Al Shihabi

Al Jazeera has made a big bet: They're launching a TV news network in America, and they're not being shy about the investment. As of January, they had posted more than one hundred U.S.-based job positions, and they've snagged big names like former CNN anchor Ali Velshi. Despite a period of post-9/11 suspecion toward the network, its executive director of international operations, Ehab Al Shihabi, says there's now an audience for it in the U.S.

Tags: united states, middle east, media, international broadcasting, al jazeera, qatar

American Power in the 21st Century Will be Defined by the “Rise of the Rest”

The U.S. culture of openness and innovation will keep this country central in an information age in which networks supplement, if not fully replace, hierarchical power. The United States is well positioned to benefit from such networks and alliances if our leaders follow smart strategies. In structural terms, it matters that the two entities with per-capita income and sophisticated economies similar to that of the United States — Europe and Japan — are both allied with the United States.

Tags: china, united states, soft power, government pd, public diplomacy, joseph nye

Cybersecurity and the Limits of Leader Summits

The recent summit meeting in California between President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping was seen by many as an important milestone in Sino-American bilateral relations. Indeed, the informality and broad range of subjects discussed between two competitive nations led many observers to draw parallels to the U.S.-Soviet summits of yesteryear.

Tags: china, united states, government pd, public diplomacy, new technology, foreign policy, barack obama, cybersecurity, summit diplomacy

US Embassy Discusses with Azerbaijani Authorities Interference in Broadcasts of Radio Liberty

US Embassy discusses with the Azerbaijani government the problem of intervention into the satellite broadcast of "Radio Liberty", the press service of the United States Embassy in Baku reported, the Azerbaijani service of "Radio Liberty" says.

Tags: united states, media, international broadcasting, government pd, public diplomacy, europe, azerbaijan, radio liberty

Erasmus Set for €16 Billion Expansion scheme

The Erasmus exchange scheme is to be massively expanded under new EU plans. The programme will be renamed Erasmus+, and will encompass education, training, youth and sport initiatives, as confirmed by an agreement between Parliament and the European council on Wednesday.

Tags: government pd, public diplomacy, europe, cultural exchange, european union, education diplomacy, academic exchange, erasmus

Communication Failure: ‘Brand Obama’ Tired and Tarnished

The situation is fraught with risk for the US president. Any visit to Mandela’s bedside risks being seen as a cynical move by Obama to boost his flagging popularity, while his speeches will be analysed for signs that he is trying too hard to link his own civil rights credentials to those of South Africa’s first and most beloved black president. Meanwhile, away from Mandela’s hospital bed, Obama faces hostile criticism of US trade policies and a “NoBama” campaign organised by South Africa’s biggest trade union.

Tags: united states, government pd, public diplomacy, public opinion, barack obama

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