Migrants, Refugees and the Right to Communicate

Silvio Waisbord

Is there a role for 'countermedia' and 'counterpublics' in the context of the popular movements in civil society today? The author of the following article argues that 'they can exist in political-cultural pockets without having any significant impact on mainstream media. They can talk to and among themselves, in face-to-face and virtual spaces, separately or in coalitions. Yet all may exist only marginally, spinning around undemocratic media systems subjected to the calculations of media moguls and the dealings of government officials.'

Keith Suter

What are the implications for the mass media surrounding the rise of Pauline Hanson, one of Australia's most notorious politicians? The following article gives an account of her meteoric rise, making a distinction between Pauline Hanson as an individual and Hansonism as the Australian manifestation of the politics of anger. It argues that the fundamental cause of her rise was not so much racism as the Australian reaction against the pace of change and the process of globalization. It examines if her popularity can be attributed to the mass media, and looks at why Australians need to come to terms with globalization. It concludes that the mass media have yet to find a way of making the subject accessible to the ordinary person.

Myriam Sahraoui

How do members of minorities in multicultural societies gain access to the professional worlds of journalism and broadcasting? The following article reviews an initiative under way in The Netherlands.

Rafael Roncagliolo

In an era of globalisation and in the context of Latin America, the author of the following article wonders 'if our language is going to resist what began as a hegemonic aspiration only to become homogenic and homogenising zeal.' Discussing the role of radio, he sees an imperfect future but explores various reasons to give an optimistic response to this concern. However, people must learn to take on board and come to terms with the current technocultural revolution.

Christine Ogan and Marisca Milikowski

What is the role of media in the lives of diasporas living in Europe today and do they help such people to come to terms with their 'otherness' in a foreign land? These were the questions posed by recent research among into Turkish communities, especially women, in Amsterdam. The answers, as the following article shows, vary according to age and circumstance, although television is a key factor.

Shada Islam

In secrecy and in haste, the European Union is fortifying its borders against refugees, asylum seekers and all who seek to penetrate its defences

It was the European Union’s first 'crisis' of the year. EU officials making their way home from the Christmas break in early January 1998 were greeted with near-hysterical warnings that Europe was being overrun by a 'massive influx' of illegal Kurdish immigrants.

Bernie Harder

Institutionalized racism in university education as it affects Aboriginal people in Canada is becoming particularly significant because of the high priority education has for First Nations peoples. The five volume 1996 governmental 'Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples', an essential document for understanding Aboriginal Peoples in Canada, deserves careful attention to what it says about education as well. It states that 'Education was the topic most talked about by the Elders appearing before the Commission' (p. 126). As the following article shows, the report identifies many serious problems relating to education that must be addressed.

Laurent Gambarotto

L'exposé de l'auteur est structuré par un rapide examen de deux déplacements majeurs qui ont, pour lui, des résonances théologiques assez denses, et qu'il intitule «de la vue à l’interprétation» et «de l’image à la Parole». Ses remarques conclusives s’efforcent de poser quelques jalons en attente d’explicitations plus développées.

Farrel Corcoran

Ireland, long subject to immigration and emigration, is currently coming to terms with the challenges of cultural negotiation posed by the new flows of immigration within Europe. The following article explores potential responses.

Jean-Daniel Causse

Le film peut être l'occasion d'une expérience que le théologien est invité à penser et à interpréter. Ce faisant, selon l'auteur de l'article qui suit, il n'est pas question de s'intéresser à un message religieux dont tel ou tel film prétendrait se faire le porte-parole. Le film n'est pas théologique parce qu'il s'inscrit dans une logique de communication directe, qu'il se contente d'illustrer une vérité générale ou de transmettre des informations. Dans quelle mesure, donc, peut être un film théologique?