Mass media international relations and non-alignment

The communication revolution and the rapid advance in the communication technology has given a substantially new dimension to the possibility for exchange of ideas and informa tion. Mass media have been used to promote international relations since a long time. The international communication network function at the supranational level, and establish under standing among nations. The patterns of international relations are woven through the communication systems, the efficacy of which determines the level of friendship or hostility.

It is perhaps, in the field of creating images, perceptions and opinions, that the newspapers play an important role. Today the world is divided not only in terms of standard of living but also in terms of 'media giants' and 'media dwarfs'. At this stage a number of differences, malfunctioning and distortions in communica tion become more apparent.

This book aims at empirically analysing the imbalances in the flow of information from the nonaligned world to the western world. The Indian and American newspaper reportings of the seven non-aligned summits has highlighted the misperceptions of the American media about the non-aligned world.

This study has put forward a two step inter national communication paradigm which enumerates the process of dissemination of international news from its point of origin to the world community. It has also established a direct correlation between the national foreign policy, international relations and the news paper reportings of the events.

In his foreword to this book, Shri H.Y. Sharada Prasad, Information Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, says: "The study provides solid documentation and useful insights into the interaction of national attitudes and opinion formation".

This important book will be useful to scholars and students of Mass Communications and Journalism, International Relations and Non alignment, and American studies. Newspaper personnel, and those in foreign affairs would rls find this book very interesting.