Pioneering Narratives: Rap News As A Instrument In Public Diplomacy
Emma Hughes
University of Bristol, United Kingdom
William Thompson
University of Bristol, United Kingdom
Abstract
In the contemporary era of global communication, the landscape of public diplomacy is evolving rapidly. Traditional actors, such as governments and international broadcasters, are adapting to the digital age by utilizing new media platforms to disseminate information and reach international audiences. Concurrently, non-state actors, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and even extremist groups, are harnessing the power of new media to engage directly with global populations, creating a diverse array of public diplomacy initiatives. Amid this dynamic environment, understanding the multifaceted nature and effects of public diplomacy presents a formidable challenge. While the importance of public diplomacy cannot be overstated, current research in the field is marked by several limitations. Many existing studies predominantly focus on historical events from the Cold War era, providing limited insight into contemporary practices. Moreover, the majority of research primarily examines the public diplomacy efforts of state actors, particularly the U.S. government, leaving the activities of non-state entities largely unexplored. A small but growing body of work has begun to address these empirical gaps by investigating recent initiatives sponsored by various organizations. However, there remains ample room for further research to broaden our understanding