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.

How do you say ‘Good Morning Africa’ in Chinese

CCTV Africa's mission will be to present the good truth of China \[...] and to show the good experiences of its economic development."...until recently, the country did not wish to export its culture, but in 2008 things changed. The following year President Hu Jintao used the concept of soft power for the very first time, connecting it to the diffusion of Chinese culture and influence around the world.

Tags: china, soft power, international broadcasting, africa, bbc, kenya, cctv, radio france

Americans Still Dissatisfied With U.S. Position in World

Americans remain highly dissatisfied with the United States' position in the world. This may be an extension of their dissatisfaction with conditions in the United States more generally, likely as a result of the economy. However, Americans' assessment of how other countries view the United States is improving, and Americans continue to believe the U.S. should play a major role in international affairs.

Tags: united states, public diplomacy, public opinion

Behind the mask

China’s soft-power offensive is unlikely to succeed if it solely relies on state-controlled media organs to get the message out. These institutions have a serious credibility problem, both inside and outside China. Beijing may choose to increase their budgets lavishly, but the money will most likely be wasted.

Tags: china, soft power, nation branding, public diplomacy, national image

Models as Mirrors or Cultural Diplomacy

Several years ago I organized a conference designed to encourage those involved in the work of cultural diplomacy – policy makers, practitioners and cultural producers, public diplomacy officers, and academics; who too seldom talk to one another ...participants were asked to address what they took “culture” to mean in this context in the first place and to characterize its efficacy: what did they imagine “culture” does as part of the work of diplomacy?

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, people-to-people, clash of civilizations, survey, anthropology

Building bridges through student diplomacy

In the eyes of the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the events of Sept. 11, 2001 revealed that public diplomacy efforts with predominantly Muslims countries had been neglected for many years. Soon afterwards they helped establish the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange Study (YES) program.

Tags: united states, government pd, arab world, mutual understanding, students, muslims, youth exchange

Turkey and NATO: 60 Years On

"First of all, Turkish public opinion perceived NATO as a Western and Christian organisation set up to support anti-Islam feelings," explains Colakoglu, adding that the rise of anti-Islam discourse in the West has fanned negative perceptions.

Tags: public opinion, turkey, nato, christianity, east vs. west

The Future of International Broadcasting

The president’s 2013 budget proposal this week was big news in Washington, but for those who care about public diplomacy and international broadcasting, the most interesting parts involved the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Radio & TV Marti, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks of Radio Sawa and Alhurra TV.

Tags: united states, international broadcasting, government pd, voice of america, radio free europe, radio liberty

Whisper of America?

Many VOA assets are being reprogrammed to enhance the rapid pursuit of new media formats. The only encouraging aspect of the budget is the notion that VOA Central News, although greatly reduced in size, will become the site of a global news network incorporating the best reporting of all five publicly-funded overseas broadcasting entities.

Tags: united states, international broadcasting, public diplomacy, voice of america, bbg

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