Alhurra marks ninth anniversary with plunge into mobile apps

WASHINGTON – The U.S. government's international TV broadcaster in the Middle East, Alhurra, celebrates its ninth anniversary on the air on Thursday with new initiatives to reach mobile devices. First up, will be a new Alhurra app for Android-powered cell phones, according to Brian T. Conniff, President of Middle East Broadcasting, Alhurra's parent company…….Continue Reading Alhurra marks ninth anniversary with plunge into mobile apps

Digital, social media are major boost US image, message abroad

WASHINGTON – The Internet and social media are providing a major boost for America's image and messages abroad, according to Dawn McCall (pictured right), Coordinator of International Information Programs (IIP) for the State Department, speaking here at a CCLP forum. "The reality for public diplomacy has dramatically changed and so has the environment in which IIP operates today," McCall said. "I am sure no one in this room could have predicted five years ago how differently we would engage with each other today."……Continue Reading Digital, social media are major boost US image, message abroad

Australia debates whether cell phones reduce need for a fiber data network

SYDNEY – Critics here are sniping at the Australian government's plan to build optical fiber links to almost all homes here, at an estimated cost of $43 billion. The criticism is that the plan is going forward according to a plan devised years ago – a plan which assumes personal computers would be the way Australians connect to the Internet. At the time, that was correct. But now, with the unexpected surge of mobile devices as a primary medium and with the rise of smart phones as the way people reach the Internet, critics are saying the project could……Continue Reading Australia debates whether cell phones reduce need for a fiber data network

Top media executives & scholars at CCLP forum on women & diversity in communication leadership

Former FOX and Paramount president Gail Berman and Telemundo Chief Operating Officer Jaqueline Hernandez are among the featured guests headlining a timely USC Annenberg leadership forum, "Championing Women & Diversity in Communication Leadership." ……Continue Reading Top media executives & scholars at CCLP forum on women & diversity in communication leadership

CCLP Washington, DC policy forum: Media Ownership and the Public Interest

The University of Southern California Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy and the New America Foundation's Media Policy Initiative present a discussion with industry leaders and top policymakers on media ownership and the public interest. The event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 24 from 2:00-4:30 p.m ET at the Newseum in Washington, DC. Webcast:……Continue Reading CCLP Washington, DC policy forum: Media Ownership and the Public Interest

Social media viewed as critical tool for cultural diplomacy

WASHINGTON – Facebook, Twitter and other digital social network tools are now integral to cultural diplomacy and arts exchanges, according to presenters at today's CCLP Washington DC "First Monday" forum. Anita Maynard-Losh, Director of Community Engagement for Washington's Arena Stage complex, said she uses Facebook to link twelve ensembles in the U.S. with four theater groups in India…….Continue Reading Social media viewed as critical tool for cultural diplomacy