Journal of Communication Research
Year:2009 | Volume:16 | Issue:3 (59)|Papers Count:12

The present article is the result of a study aimed at discovering the unknown elements in predicting the status of "electronic surveillance" in the information society of Iran within the next 20 years, to provide the its agents with a clear image. For this purpose, after deep interviews carried out at 3 stages using Delphi method, 15 experts were consulted. In the first stage, 27 predictions, and in the second phase, 18 predictions were stated.The 18 predictions were given to the Iran Information Society executive team, i.e. "Internet Support Centers Engineers", in form of 18 questions.In the factor analysis, first in order to examine the factor structure, questions were rotated using main components and Varimax rotation and the results were named. Therefore, 6 main and hidden components were identified: Uncomplicated supervision, cultural supervision, media literacy, expert supervision, vulnerability of freedoms and public resistance.

Interactive TV is the result of the two processes of "convergence" and "interaction" arisen from digital revolution. In the present study, obstacles to launching an interactive TV in Iran have been discussed. The findings of the study were obtained through a qualitative method using deep interviews with experts and policy-makers. Results show that interactive television is not well known even for national media managers and, therefore, launching an interactive TV faces many impediments which could be divided into three major categories: "technical and production limitations", "cultural and social" barriers and finally "legal and regulatory" obstacles. Issues such as inappropriate technical infrastructure and neglect of training skilled human force for producing interactive programs, all could be put in the category of "technical and production" limitations. However, questions like "television being state-run and in the monopoly of government" and also lack of culture pervasiveness can be categorized as "cultural and social" limitations.Ambiguities regarding broadcasting audio and video programs over the Web and the lack of required rules for reserving programs copyright and respecting individuals’ privacy are among the "legal and constitutional" limitations.

Although the digital world has opened to the media audience new windows through which they can add to the range of their audience, the universal phenomenon of digitalization of media, entering every country, is considered a new and unique experience, as the historical, economic, political, social, scientific, and cultural conditions of the society requires.Using the Q-method, the present study examines the views of experts, managers and radio professionals inside and outside the country and the variables related to digitalization in three sections of production, distribution and reception were considered as "dependent variables" and all the facilitating or limiting factors (including the two sections of intra- and extra- organizational factors) were deemed as "independent variables".Based on the research findings, the most significant challenge regarding the change from analog to digital radio system is persuading listeners to buy a digital radio. Furthermore, since today’s radios have no options but to get digitalized, the most important point for media managers is planning to change the necessary content, something on which little have been done.

The present article aims to examine communications experts and professionals’ viewpoints about the impact of Podcasting, as the new wave of Internet-based world of communications, on radio in Iran. Data required for studying the opportunities and threats of Podcasting were obtained through documentary and qualitative methods used by focus groups. Three expert groups, i.e. radio professionals, new media experts and operators of Podcasting were surveyed. Also, to analyze data and extract the significance of research findings, "media convergence" was used. The results indicate that podcast can provide new capacities at three levels, i.e. organizational, individual and environment, of which the most important are as follows: creating competitive space for radio, developing and expanding niche radios, breaking the monopoly and creating an atmosphere of discussion and criticism in radio programs, using digital media capabilities, talent finding, knowing of radio audience better and introducing radio to the third generation unfamiliar with radio. However, this technology, due to technical, legal … barriers existing in the country, is not deemed as a threat to radio, at least until we lack the necessary infrastructure for such a technology.

The main purpose of the present article is to examine "IPTV" and "Internet TV" in Iran and the world, and the technologies of delivering film and video in Iranian cyberspace. The research method used in this study is documentary and Internet-based. As for IPTV, the study uses research reports belonging to the International Telecommunications Union, and for Internet TV and technologies of distributing videos and films in Iranian cyberspace, the study, using purposeful sampling technique, analyzes 7 web sites, i.e. YouTube, Google Video, Kalam TV, Khedmat TV, Ghalam Sima, Mojesevom and Razavi TV, as the main technologies of distributing video and film in Iranian cyberspace.Using the main websites of these Internet channels, the article attempts to closely examine their functions and features. Based on this study, it seems that the IRIB, as a national media, should observe Internet channels closely and consider the new needs of cyberspace audience and consequently make the required plans in this regard.

The present article is based on a research project sponsored by Kish Free Zone Organization. It studies the application of new communication tools in tourism advertisements through a survey method. The study looks into the level of familiarity of advertisement experts in Kish Free Zone with the three new communication tools, i.e. "the Internet", "message" and "digital billboard", and examines the extent of using these tools in the area within last 5 years. The results indicate that the extent of utilizing modern communication tools in tourism advertisements by advertisement experts in Kish Free Zone is dependent on the variable "level of familiarity" with such tools. The "level of familiarity" itself is dependent on variables such as "familiarity with the English language" and "education level". Generally, the level of familiarity of the subjects with these tools is average. However, today, the rapid growth of new communication and information technologies has provided access to new markets in tourism, and if modern communication tools in advertisement field, given their specific role and function, are employed properly and with full awareness, they can play an important role in development of this profitable industry.