The world’s most highly regarded countries continue to lead in global image, but the troubled world economy has also left its mark, with two-thirds of measured nations suffering declines in their reputation over the past year. These are among the results from the 2012 Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands IndexSM (NBI), an annual global survey from GfK Public Affairs & Corporate Communications.

“This is a key point for digital diplomacy – the importance of reaching a broader audience, not just the same old people who usually follow foreign affairs.” As such, top diplomats are increasingly holding live, virtual chats on social networks to engage with people whom they would otherwise never meet.

Instead of pure entertainment or mere artistic creations, Hollywood movies function as propaganda supplements, often by providing a binary image of "good Americans" versus the "hostile others" on US's enemy list. With Iran topping that list for the past 33 years, it is hardly surprising that Hollywood has dutifully dished out a growing number of movies that recycle the enemy image of Iran.

India’s government used strategies such as state-wide polio campaigns to tackle specific challenges. They also used massive public awareness campaigns, utilising the star power of India’s Bollywood and sports personalities.

In the five years since the last CPC National Congress, the work of publicity, ideological and cultural officials has helped the country to seek agreements and unite the people against the background of profound changes in the international situation, arduous tasks regarding domestic development and more diverse public opinions, Li said.

The edgy Soft Power artists are part of a contemporary art movement in Saudi Arabia that draws influences from global art and infuses cultural reflections into their authentic artwork, making it internationally competitive.

The Swedish government cut £1.86m (20 million Swedish krona) from the tourism organisation’s budget of £13.04m (140 million Swedish krona), after which it chose to cut one sector, rather than embark on a widespread reorganisation.

Washington, DC - Officials from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and the U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation will hold a “send-off” ceremony today at the U.S. National Arboretum for the first 100 dogwood trees going to Japan as part of the Friendship Blossoms Initiative.