Ethical Decision Making in the Indian Mediascape: Reporters and Their Stories (open access)

Ethical Decision Making in the Indian Mediascape: Reporters and Their Stories

Hundreds of reporters gather and interpret news for four English-language newspapers in India's second-largest urban area Kolkata, West Bengal's state capital, which is home to over 4 million people. Journalists from The Statesman, The Telegraph-Kolkata, The Hindustan Times and The Times of India discuss how they collect their stories in Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, and many other languages and write them in English targeting a small but emerging middle-class audience. Whether these articles focus on people-centric urban planning, armed vigilantes in community disputes, dowry death cases, or celebrity culture, all of the reporting involves cultural and ethical challenges. Using semi-structured interviewing and qualitative theme analysis, this study explores how gender, class, and religion affect the decision-making practices of 21 journalists working in Kolkata.
Date: May 2009
Creator: Spencer, Patricia Elizabeth
System: The UNT Digital Library
Sepia (open access)

Sepia

This study of Sepia magazine was researched as a historical project in order to trace the progress of a twenty-five-year-old Negro publication begun as a sensational news sheet and expanded to a pictoral, entertaining magazine aimed at the middle-class black.
Date: May 1973
Creator: Ponder, Janace Pope
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oprah and Her Book Club: More than Mass Media Money-Maker (open access)

Oprah and Her Book Club: More than Mass Media Money-Maker

With her Book Club, talk show host Oprah Winfrey has used the relatively new technology of television to revive literature. Despite the odds against her--selecting hard-to-read, quirky books by generally unknown authors--Winfrey has successfully created women's spaces for the 1990s, not so different from the American women's social clubs from the late 1800s and early 1900s, and the French salons of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. This study will show how Oprah's Book Club allows readers, especially women, to use the psychological processes of transference and transactional reading by using fictional literature from the Book Club to discuss sensitive areas of their lives.
Date: May 1999
Creator: Jones, Carrie S. Lilly
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Comparative Content Analysis of ITAR-TASS's and the United Press International's Coverage of the Russian Referendum in April 1993 (open access)

A Comparative Content Analysis of ITAR-TASS's and the United Press International's Coverage of the Russian Referendum in April 1993

A comparative content analysis was conducted to determine whether the Russian (ITAR-TASS) and the American (UPI) wire service coverage of President Boris Yeltsin in the April 25, 1993, referendum was balanced and unbiased. Also, the amount of space dedicated to this topic was measured. Study results indicate that ITAR-TASS was more critical of Yeltsin prior to the referendum than UPI, and that there was no statistically important difference between the two wire services in their post referendum coverage. UPI articles were almost 30% longer than the ITAR-TASS articles. Each UPI article was on an average more than 220 words longer than were the ITAR-TASS articles.
Date: May 1994
Creator: Glad, Lotte Marie
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Analysis of Methods of Promoting Country Music Records in the Atlanta, Georgia Area (open access)

An Analysis of Methods of Promoting Country Music Records in the Atlanta, Georgia Area

This study examined promoting recorded country music from Atlanta, Georgia, and explored why Atlanta is important in this field. It was learned, through interviews, that promoters wanted radio airplay and top trade publication chart ratings. Radio station program directors decided upon playlists from reading trade publications, efforts by record promoters, listener requests and focus groups, and from reported sales. Stores used album and poster displays, charts, and played music for promotion. The business is one of personalities and experience, as much as product promoted. Large conglomerates are fast changing it.
Date: May 1986
Creator: Fogel, Betty Cruikshank
System: The UNT Digital Library
How Hitler Controlled the Press (open access)

How Hitler Controlled the Press

Adolf Hitler advocated total control of the press for many years before he was elected Führer. Almost immediately after he assumed power in 1932, Hitler began writing new laws and regulations that totally exorcised all freedoms from the German press. This study follows the path that Hitler took to control the German press from 1920 until the end of World War II. It utilized translations of documents and statements by men whom Hitler appointed to control the press and books written by experts in the fields of communications as well as men who prosecuted Nazi war criminals after World War II. The study found that the control of the press was indeed a very necessary ingredient in Hitler's climb to power and remained crucial during his reign as Führer.
Date: May 1982
Creator: McConal, Billy Jon
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Survey of Television Reporters' Views Concerning Public Relations Practitioners' Demonstrated Knowledge of Their Technical Needs and Desires (open access)

A Survey of Television Reporters' Views Concerning Public Relations Practitioners' Demonstrated Knowledge of Their Technical Needs and Desires

This study determined attitudes held by television reporters nationwide toward PR practitioners' demonstrated knowledge of the technical side of television news. Findings. that emerged from the study were: 1. Television reporters were undecided whether practitioners needed an educational background in PR, and believed they needed an educational but not a professional background in television reporting. 2. They believed practitioners knew too little and should improve their knowledge, and that practitioners' employers would benefit therefrom. 3. They valued the assistance of practitioners. 4. There were moderate degrees of off-the-job contact and interest therein. 5. They divided evenly on the question concerning practitioners' specific demonstrated knowledge of the technical side of television news.
Date: May 1976
Creator: Tomlinson, Don E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of the Public Relations Structures and Activities at Selected Dallas Hotels (open access)

A Study of the Public Relations Structures and Activities at Selected Dallas Hotels

The study was designed to identify the public relations structures at eight Dallas hotels, their functions and activities, and if public relations effectiveness is evaluated. Findings were based on sixteen interviews with senior management and public relations coordinators. The study concluded that public relations programs are structured by either separate public relations department, public relations activities combined with other department, or an external agency. The public relations functions range from image-building to participation in sales and marketing with primary responsibility of promotion and publicity dominated by economic considerations. One weakness is the lack of formal research methods to discern public opinion. There is a lack of understanding by hotel management of the potential and scope of public relations programs.
Date: May 1981
Creator: Milacek, Barbara J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Iconoclast: a Readership Survey and a Study of the Historical Evolution of an Underground Newspaper (open access)

The Iconoclast: a Readership Survey and a Study of the Historical Evolution of an Underground Newspaper

The problem of this study was an audience analysis of Dallas' weekly underground newspaper Iconoclast. A readership survey was mailed to 200 randomly selected subscribers to Iconoclast. Data were taken from the ninety useable questionnaires of those returned. The study is organized into four chapters. Chapter I discusses problems, procedures, introductory material and recent and related studies. Chapter II is a history of Iconoclast. Chapter III is an analysis of data. Chapter IV presents summary, conclusions, and recommendations. The data revealed the typical subscriber as having a mean age of 28.7, some college education, and higher than $10,000 yearly income. He obtains both exclusive and supplementary information from Iconoclast, and considers it an important but biased news source.
Date: May 1976
Creator: Wells, Richard H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Francophone Baptist Publications: Its Organization and Operation (open access)

Francophone Baptist Publications: Its Organization and Operation

The problem of this study was to describe the operation and organization of Francophone Baptist Publications and to learn the publication needs of missionary personnel in the six countries served by the organization. Information for the study was gathered from Baptist history books, minutes from organizational meetings, questionnaires, and personal interviews with office and missionary personnel. The study revealed that although 47 per cent of those receiving questionnaires responded, only 28 per cent knew the materials and the organization sufficiently to evaluate them. This led to the conclusion that a lack of communication between the center and the missionaries exists and that the center should keep the market informed of materials available. The responses indicated that the present publications priorities do not reflect the real needs of the missionary personnel.
Date: May 1982
Creator: Land, Floyd M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Proposed Technical Communication Degree Program for Texas Colleges and Universities (open access)

A Proposed Technical Communication Degree Program for Texas Colleges and Universities

This investigation is concerned with the problem of Texas employers' inability to hire adequately trained technical communication personnel because Texas universities and colleges do not offer a bachelor's degree program for that career field. This study contains the results of five separate surveys that investigate the backgrounds and training of present technical communication personnel and the training desired by supervisory personnel. The study also recommends a bachelor's degree program in technical communication with three technological specialties: electronics, mechanical, and chemical/petroleum. Anticipated problems in setting up such a degree program and possible solutions to the problems are discussed in the study. The suggested freshman and sophomore curriculum could be used as a guideline for a junior college associate program.
Date: May 1978
Creator: Walker, Ronald O.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Comparative Content Analysis of The Lewisville News-Advertiser and Lewisville Daily Leader (open access)

A Comparative Content Analysis of The Lewisville News-Advertiser and Lewisville Daily Leader

The problem with which this study is concerned is that of determining what differences, if any, existed between two newspapers with different circulation characteristics and whether the two papers were in competition. The thrice-weekly News-Advertiser and the five-day daily Leader were measured by a content analysis over eight weeks and by a readership and advertiser survey. This study concludes that the two newspapers are in competition in six of eleven designated categories of the content analysis, using Spearman rho and t-tests. However, the two newspapers seemed to be aiming at different markets in Lewisville, because one paper subscribes to a news service and prints thousands of inches of wire news and the other paper is all local news.
Date: May 1980
Creator: Frerichs, Colleen Doolin
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Comparison in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Between the State of Public Relations Education and the Views of Public School Public Information Directors and University Journalism Department Chairmen Concerning Public Relations Education (open access)

A Comparison in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Between the State of Public Relations Education and the Views of Public School Public Information Directors and University Journalism Department Chairmen Concerning Public Relations Education

Data obtained through interviews with eleven directors of school public information directors and four university chairmen in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex indicated that they are generally satisfied with public relations education being housed in the journalism department, with course format, and with undergraduate study and specialization; and that they are dissatisfied with practitioner-educator relationships. Some of their recommendations included that graduatelevel study be offered more often, and that more emphasis be placed in the curriculum on specific areas of public relations, the social sciences, and the news-editing side of communications studies.
Date: May 1980
Creator: Ramsey, Patricia Kingsley
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Editorial Reaction of Texas Daily Newspapers to Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the New Deal, 1932-1938 (open access)

The Editorial Reaction of Texas Daily Newspapers to Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the New Deal, 1932-1938

The objective of this study is to identify newspapers who supported or opposed portions of the New Deal from 1932 to 1938. Nine newspapers from various geographic areas were consulted. Chapter II discusses the 1932 campaign, in which all newspapers supported Roosevelt. Chapter III discusses the First New Deal, in which widespread support was evidenced. Chapter IV discusses the Second New Deal, in which criticism appeared. Chapter V discusses the 1936 campaign, in which only one newspaper opposed Roosevelt. Chapter VI discusses three post-1936 issues. The study determined that Texas newspapers became more critical during the 1930s. The central hypothesis, that urban newspapers were more critical of urban measures and rural newspapers of rural measures, was rejected.
Date: May 1977
Creator: Sellers, Steven A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Examination and Evaluation of the Role of Public Relations in Neiman-Marcus Fortnights (open access)

An Examination and Evaluation of the Role of Public Relations in Neiman-Marcus Fortnights

This study examines the organization, function, and role of public relations in Neiman-Marcus Fortnights. Fortnight is an annual October extravaganza combining cultural and community education with merchandising. Information was gathered by interviews with three people associated with Fortnight public relations. The public relations department follows general goals in planning Fortnight public relations activities. Audiences are not restricted. Public relations responsibilities are publicity, press relations, guest relations, community relations, and special events. Evaluations are made with respect to public relations activities of the previous Fortnight. Though public relations is of secondary importance to merchandising, the effectiveness of Fortnight activities would be improved with established objectives, specific audiences, and a formal means of evaluation.
Date: May 1983
Creator: Falgout, Paula O'Reagan
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Role and Function of Public Relations at National Semiconductor Corporation as Practiced by Two Departments (open access)

The Role and Function of Public Relations at National Semiconductor Corporation as Practiced by Two Departments

This study examines the public relations practices of the Public Relations Department and the Human Relations Department at National Semiconductor Corporation. Source material included interviews with twelve company employees, company publications, and other publications. Five chapters deal with particular problems with which the semiconductor industry in the 'United States is confronted; background and development of National Semiconductor Corporation; organization and practices of the Public Relations Department; and public relations practices of the Human Relations Department. The study finds much strength in each of the two departments but concludes that the public relations function would be strengthened by consolidation into one department. It recommends further scholarly research of public relations practices at other electronics companies.
Date: May 1982
Creator: Waller, Gwendolyn L. (Gwendolyn Lea)
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Analysis of Community Attitudes Toward the "Bowie News" as a News-Advertising Medium (open access)

An Analysis of Community Attitudes Toward the "Bowie News" as a News-Advertising Medium

This study measured attitudes of newspaper staff members, advertisers, subscribers, and power structure members toward the Bowie News as a news and advertising medium. Three hypotheses were tested: that members of the power structure would have a more favorable attitude toward the Bowie News than other readers; that the Bowie News would play an active role as an instrument of the power structure; and that all four publics would differ in their perception of the newspaper's role in getting information to the community. The hypotheses were tested by a t test and rejected. Publics' attitudes were homogeneous. It was concluded that the Bowie News reflects consensus opinion within the community and is a trusted news source.
Date: May 1977
Creator: Whitfield, James Daniel
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Independent Candidate, Campaign '80: A Content Analysis of the Coverage of John B. Anderson in Three News Magazines (open access)

The Independent Candidate, Campaign '80: A Content Analysis of the Coverage of John B. Anderson in Three News Magazines

This study seeks to determine, through content analysis, whether there was evidence in news magazines during the 1980 presidential campaign to support the claim that Anderson was a "media-created candidate." Studying weekly issues of Time, Newsweek, and U. S. News & World Report from April 28, 1980 through November 3, 1980, it was found that (a) Anderson received 17 per cent of the total campaign coverage, compared to Reagan's 42 per cent and Carter's 37 per cent, and (b) overall, Anderson's coverage was mildly negative in all magazines. The study concludes that rather than "creating" Anderson, news magazines may have undercut his viability by restricting the length and number of stories about him.
Date: May 1982
Creator: Deahl, Maureen E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nigerian Military Government and Press Freedom, 1966-79 (open access)

Nigerian Military Government and Press Freedom, 1966-79

The problem of this thesis is to examine the military-press relationship in Nigeria from 1966 to 1979 and to determine whether activities of the military government contributed to violation of press freedom by prior restraint, postpublication censorship and penalization. Newspaper and magazine articles related to this study were analyzed. Interviews with some journalists and military personnel were also conducted. Materials collected show that the military violated some aspects of press freedom, but in most cases, however, journalists were free to criticize government activities. The judiciary prevented the military from arbitrarily using its power against the press. The findings show that although the military occasionally attempted suppressing the press, there are few instances that prove that journalists were denied press freedom.
Date: May 1984
Creator: Agboaye, Ehikioya
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Content Analysis of Press Coverage of the 1975-1976 Lebanese Civil War by "The New York Times" and "The Times" of London (open access)

A Content Analysis of Press Coverage of the 1975-1976 Lebanese Civil War by "The New York Times" and "The Times" of London

This study was designed to determine (a) the extent of the coverage in total wordage; (b) the direction and intensity of the articles; and (c) the impression conveyed by each newspaper toward the two main parties of the war. The findings show that (a) The New York Times devoted nearly twice as many words to the war as The Times of London; (b) the majority of the articles were neutral; (c) The New York Times was more favorable to the leftists and was as favorable to the rightists as The Times of London; and (d) the two newspapers were consistent in direction, and all deviation from neutrality remained within the limits of mild intensity.
Date: May 1980
Creator: Husni, Samir A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Critical Examination of "The Echo": Prison Publication of the Texas Department of Corrections (open access)

A Critical Examination of "The Echo": Prison Publication of the Texas Department of Corrections

The problem this investigation deals with is how The Echo functions as a communication vehicle within the TDC. Information was gathered through visits, interviews and a questionnaire. Organization is as follows: Chapter I, introduction, Chapter II, history and development; Chapter III, analysis of questionnaire data; Chapter IV, content; Chapter V, summary and conclusions. The study found that The Echo is often the sole source of TDC information to inmates, frequently aids administrators in providing inmates with information, provides an outlet for creativity, and enjoys little censorship. The report concludes that The Echo is an effective information medium, and that future study is possible in the role of the prison press in influencing rehabilitation, its contact with the outside public, and in inmate-produced magazines and journals.
Date: May 1977
Creator: Hadeler, David A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Evaluation of the Contributions of the "Wichita Falls Times" in the Development and Progress of Wichita Falls, Texas, from 1907 to 1976 (open access)

An Evaluation of the Contributions of the "Wichita Falls Times" in the Development and Progress of Wichita Falls, Texas, from 1907 to 1976

The purpose of this study was (1) to trace the contributions of the newspaper to the civic improvement and economic growth of Wichita Falls; (2) to trace the contributions of the publishers; and (3) to trace the development of the Wichita Falls Times from 1907, when it began as a daily, to 1976, when it sold to Harte-Hanks Communications Inc.
Date: May 1979
Creator: Zajac, Patricia
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Survey of Award-Winning High School Newspapers in Texas (open access)

A Survey of Award-Winning High School Newspapers in Texas

This study identified the common characteristics of the adviser, the journalism program, and the newspaper of the high schools consistently winning awards. The purposes of this study were to identify the award-winning newspapers, to examine and describe the characteristics and elements (those rated by ILPC) of the newspapers, the attitudes and opinions of the principals, the qualifications, the attitudes, and the opinions of the advisers. Based on the results, there was no pattern that indicates a given high school newspaper will receive awards.
Date: May 1980
Creator: Scattergood, Kathy
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Comparison of United States Network Television News Coverage of Sub-Sahara Africa Before and After the 1975-76 Angola Conflict (open access)

A Comparison of United States Network Television News Coverage of Sub-Sahara Africa Before and After the 1975-76 Angola Conflict

The proposition that American network television news coverage of sub-Sahara Africa increased substantially after the 1975-76 Angola conflict is examined in this study of the responsiveness of television to changing news values at the international level. News coverage for two thirty-month periods before and after the Angola conflict is compared using data derived from the Television News Index and Abstracts. The study finds that network news coverage of sub-Sahara Africa increased from 0.36 per cent of total news time before the Angola conflict to 4.46 per cent after, indicating that network news coverage is a reflection of the intensity of United States government activity at the international level.
Date: May 1981
Creator: Ilegbodu, Fred O.
System: The UNT Digital Library