1. New Working Paper: Analyzing Russia’s Selfie Diplomacy (Blog by Ilan Manor)

The Working paper begins by discussing why nostalgia is such a common sentiment in todays’ world, arguing that nostalgia is an attempt to force logic onto an incoherent world. Next, the working paper examines the Selfie and asserts that the Selfie is the most nostalgic form of photograph. The working paper then defines and examines ‘Selfie Diplomacy’, or diplomats’ use of social media to create a national self-portrait. Finally, the working paper offers analysis of Russia’s Selfie diplomacy during 2020 while arguing that this Selfie was steeped in Nostalgia. The paper ends by discussing Russia’s present Selfie, following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

2. Digital Agoraphobia & Social Media Self-Care (Blog by Lauren Hug)

“I think I have digital agoraphobia.” In trying to explain why I wasn’t doing my typical social media cheerleading for businesses, causes, and people I support and believe in, I blurted out these words. The term fits the way I’ve been feeling lately — an irrational fear of entering crowded digital spaces.

It took me a few weeks to name the feeling. After all, I’m a defender of digital media — a lover of the ways social media expands our worlds, empowers connection, and helps us find better ways forward together. How could I possibly be fearful of engaging online?

3. How technology is changing diplomacy (Analysis by Zed Tarar)

The Danish proverb rings true, “It is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future.” And yet predict we shall, looking at three technologies that will change diplomacy: artificial intelligence, open-source data, and low-earth orbit internet. Combined they could transform the way we establish trust, communicate with global audiences, and understand adversaries. That’s why public sector leaders need to look over the horizon at the new roads ahead, putting into action now moves that will give front-line employees the autonomy they will need to tackle the challenges to come.

4. Rethinking media diplomacy and public diplomacy towards a new concept: digital media diplomacy (Article by Hasan Saliu)

Zelensky’s virtual communications are not aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s international image, as in traditional forms of public diplomacy; rather, they seek to obtain military assistance and reach a mutually beneficial outcome for his country. These, however, are activities of media diplomacy, a concept that scholars have abandoned over the last two decades in favour of public diplomacy. Through a critical review, this study examines the division between these concepts and other related concepts and analyses the role of the media in international communications, including those in times of war.

5. Twitter Is Finally Launching Its Edit Button in the U.S. — but Only for Paying Subscribers (and It’s Still in Test Mode) (Variety)

The Edit Tweet button, which for years has been the most-requested feature among Twitter users, will let you edit tweets a few times within a 30-minute window after they’re posted. Twitter said it is limiting the ability to make edits to only the first 30 minutes to “help protect the integrity of the conversation and create a publicly accessible record of what was said.”

6. How Much Do Influencers Make in 2022? (Hootsuite)

This article sheds light on how much influencers make. And it shows you how to make money on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. At the end, we’ve included influencer-related resources for marketing managers or business owners.

7. Twitter’s letting you combine photos, videos, and GIFs in one tweet (The Verge)

Now that the feature is here, all you need to do is tap the photo icon in the tweet composer and add the media of your choice. The content you add will show up side by side or in a grid-like format, depending on how many images, videos, or GIFs you add. You can see how this might look in these tweets shared by Twitter.

8. ZAPAD 2021 Communication Analysis: Messages, Narratives, (Dis)Information (NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence)

This study consists of two separate but interconnected parts:

Part I looks at the exercise from the perspective of what the exercise signalled, both explicitly and implicitly. It deconstructs and groups these messages and narratives. In addition, it offers a wealth of information of interest to any student of Russia’s behaviour, be it concerning the military and security or policy and media. Part II looks at communication associated with ZAPAD 2021 with an eye on the information environments in the three Baltic states and Poland, all targeted by ZAPAD 2021 communication. It does so by balancing and combining a holistic understanding with forensic attention to detail. It analyses both official communication from the Russian Federation and Belarus and communication in digital news outlets, based on comprehensive research underpinned by a unique methodology.

9. Nord Stream 1 & 2 sabotage – disinformation a la MH-17? (EUvsDisinfo)

As we await investigations, there is a lot of speculations and unknowns. At the same time, the information space is full of disinformation and manipulation attempts. Many accusations are flowing in the pro-Kremlin disinformation ecosystem suggesting: (1) It is the work of the US; (2) it is the Poles; (3) it is the UK or the Baltics, (4) it is the Ukrainians. (5) Unless Russia is involved in the investigations, they will not be trustworthy. Putin contributed by using his grand speech(opens in a new tab) on Friday 30 September announcing the annexation of additional four regions in Ukraine: “the Anglo-Saxons are behind(opens in a new tab)” it, implying the US-UK.

10. Information literacy in the age of disruption (Event by DCN Global)

Digital Communication Network Global’s premise is that in the age of informational disruptions, only coalitions of professionals can address the multiple challenges to the information space. The topic of the hybrid forum, Information Literacy in the Age of Disruption, provides an opportunity to start building this coalition in the Americas, to join DCN’s other similar ones in Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific. The forum will take place online on October 17 and October 18.

11. Despite goofs, digital diplomacy offers headway for African states (The Star)

Despite demystifying diplomacy, it can cause problems, to an extent of diplomatic strains. The latest case involved South Africa’s Finance minister Tito Mboweni, who made criticism tweets against Zambia. “Presidents in Africa must stop this nonsense of waking up in the morning and fire a central bank governor,” Mboweni, a known Twitter user, posted.