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The global COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of life, including advertising and the media business. Brands have reduced their advertising budgets. Some media, such as television and the Internet, have increased their audiences, while others, such as print and out-of-home media, have experienced a negative trend. Adapting media content and flexibility to advertisers is the key to the survival of traditional media. New media platforms attract a significant audience and have a chance for sustainable development. The short-term and long-term perspectives for the media can be analyzed from different points of view. The dynamics of this process is obvious and the media business needs to be more flexible than ever before.
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The article aims to introduce to the readers the features of fake news, basing itself on theoretical observation. Another goal is to determine if there are grounds to claim that there is creation, broadcasting and distribution of fake content. Some methods for spotting, detecting, recognizing and neutralizing fake news are presented briefly. The relation between fake news and post-truth are described as well. The article also presents examples of fake news regarding the Coronavirus crisis (COVID-19) selected from media, online media and social networks in Bulgaria. Lastly, the article highlights the arguments used while presenting information regarding the plan to overcome the crisis and the prevention of spreading fake news.
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The article presents the results of a study conducted during the state of emergency in Bulgaria in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic (March 13 – May 13, 2020). The object of research are the comments sections of the Dnevnik, Sega and Trud websites where people discuss the topic of ‘journalism’. The maintenance of user forums on news sites is an important indicator of the chosen mode of work and thequality of journalistic activity of the media; it is an indicator of the readiness of the media organization to offer a platform for public discussions. The survey of the users’ comments highlights the attitude towards journalism and the media in Bulgaria as a whole.
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The study examines the applicability of the comparative framework of Hallin and Mancini (2004) with their three models of media‒politics relations (Mediterranean or Polarized Pluralist Model, North/ Central European or Democratic Corporatist Model, and North Atlantic or Liberal Model) to a post-communist country like Bulgaria. The answer to this question is sought through a study of the role of the state in relation to the media system, particularly the state funding of media in its various forms. The analysis leads to the conclusion that the Bulgarian media system is most similar to the Mediterranean Model due to the power of еtatism (the state finances public media, and the government buys media love through state and municipal advertising). At the same time, ineffective media regulation favors media concentration and the instrumentalization of large government media groups. The processes of rapid liberalization, privatization and deregulation in the media sector after 1989 brought Bulgaria closer to the countries included in the Liberal Model. Therefore, its media system is hybrid to some extent, but the similarities with the Mediterranean Model remain in the lead. The clientelism through which they are tamed, resp. corrupt the media, brings Bulgaria closer to the Latin American countries where it is much stronger than in the Mediterranean region (Hallin, Papathanassopoulos 2002). The concluding part predicts that, in the future, the analysis of the Bulgarian media system can be enhanced with a study of the applicability of the concepts of the “captured liberal model” of the media (in Latin America) and the “captured media” in the post-communist world.
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The article discusses the democratic changes in the Bulgarian society and the new regulatory system from the perspective of media and legal cultures. The article analyzes legal phenomena as such, as well as the social environment in which they have emerged and developed during the years of democratic transition. Law is a social regulator and has to serve the public interest. In Bulgaria, however, it has always been subject to the political will of the majorities and could not fulfill its function to provide the necessary basis for the establishment of democratic regulatory culture, management culture and culture of independence within the media.
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This article deals with the discourse of popular culture during the state socialism in Bulgaria and especially with the media aimed at female audiences. The Zhenata dnes (The Woman of Today) magazine is a starting point for the topic of what are the concepts of gender within socialism and are they changing. During the Cold War, there was a widespread belief that media were a direct reflection of narrow ideological norms. However, the example of Zhenata dnes clearly outlines the permeability and flexibility of topics related to the emancipation of women. The magazine openly publishes letters from readers, as well as analyses criticizing the government for the unhappy fate of women. Dissent, feminism and Western themes. The magazine was disliked and warned in the period 1966‒1980 that it had gone beyond the ideologically acceptable limits, but nevertheless it still exists. How did popular media targeting women create their image in the society of that time? How did the government want to build their image and how is it achieved in the magazine, thanks to the progressive positions of its editors and authors?
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The article presents the main results of a quantitative content analysis of Mir newspaper for the period 1919‒1944. A total of 151 articles were analyzed. The study aims to shed light on how the periodical, defined as the Bulgarian Times (a quality bourgeois newspaper), presents five main thematic areas in order to provide a clearer picture of the Bulgarian press and journalistic culture during the period under review.
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This paper presents and analyzes the results of a quantitative content analysis of the periodical called Bulgarian Journalist ‒ Journalism and Society. The main research topic is the role of journalism and media in Bulgaria. Based on publications on the topic, it aims to “bring to light”, as far as possible, journalistic, political and public reflections on the role and place of media and journalism in Bulgarian society during the communist regime and the first years of democratic transformation. The main focus is on five research questions, on the basis of which the periodical is monitored and analyzed. The conclusions drawn at the end have an important research significance.
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The article investigates the concept of trust as a factor for success in public diplomacy initiatives. It explores the field through the theoretical frame of persuasive communication. First, the evolution and connotations of the term trust are examined through a broad theoretical review. Subsequently, the applications and the meaning of the phenomenon in the field of public diplomacy are analyzed. The article probes into anacademic debate which has been mostly neglected by the Bulgarian scientific community. It relates to increasing the effectiveness of diplomatic actions in the public sphere by strengthening the trust in the legitimate communicator. The presented theoretical perspectives can be relevant to researchers and practitioners alike.
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Information is considered one of the main factors of the current geopolitical dynamics. The information paradigm of geopolitics defines the canons of conquest and control of a global information space, as well as the nature of the relationship between geopolitical actors. It covers a range of issues related to geographic information policy, which includes the activities aimed at increasing the power of State information, including in the media. Helping people understand the changing world order has become the main goal of mass media. In an emerging global information field, the media no longer divide events into domestic and foreign ones. Russia’s propaganda offensive is a carefully prepared strategy. The country built an array of soft power instruments and transformed them into effective weapons in a new information war with the West. Initially intended as a tool to enhance Russia’s soft power, it quickly developed into one of the main instruments of Russia’s new imperialism. The minimum task may be the integration of part of the post-Soviet space, whereas the maximum task is to unite civilizations into a single Eurasian continental block in order to restore civilization balance.
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The article presents the results of an empirical study based on data from a written exam among 85 second-year students of Journalism at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication of the St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia. The study aims to illustrate the approaches and strategies used by students in dealing with a specific media message and, particularly, the possibility of satirical news-like texts to be perceived as fake news. Nearly 70% of the students defined a publication on a website called “No! News” as fake news, even though it is a well-known satirical website. The article discusses the students’ views on the concept of fake news, as well as differences between satire and fake news by making comparisons with existing research on the subject.
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The paper presents results of media monitoring during the election campaigns held in Bulgaria between 2014 and 2019 – after the adoption of the new Electoral Code in 2014 until the last local elections in 2019. The main research question is to what extent the media as mediators in the election campaigns know, respect and comply with the legal regulations concerning their activities during such campaigns. The results outline the models of legal socialization of the Fourth Estate in the election campaigns. They also show patterns of compliance and violation of the legal framework. In addition, they reflect the way in which the media work to change the regulations in question. The research sample included between 117 and 180 media service providers in various election campaigns. There were representatives of all media subfields – traditional media, new media, yellow media, brown media, Prokopiev’s media, Peevski’s media, as well as Russian and American “propaganda media”. The period of research includes almost two full election cycles ‒ two parliamentary elections, two European elections, two local elections, and one presidential election which was held after the clear definition of the legal framework for media in the 2014 Electoral Code. No changes were made to this framework during the study and prior to the publication of this paper. This leads to conclusions regarding the electoral legislation and the regulation of the media system in the electoral process.
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The cooperation between the parents and the schools, namely. the teachers, is key to establishing more favorable conditions in the school, but also within the family, to ensure that the child’s overall development and progress is unhindered. As parents have a very important role in a child’s life, they must be involved in the educational process, in order to adequately and timely respond to all challenges that children face. This type of cooperation strengthens parenting skills and competencies, which aims to train parents to help and support their children. The aim of the research is to determine how and in what ways parents/guardians are involved in the educational process of their children. Furthermore, this research examined how often parents communicate with teachers, and whether that communication is adequate. The parents’ opinions about their involvement in the development and implementation of Individualized Educational Programs were also examined. The research sample consisted of 168 parents/guardians whose children are of primary school age. Of the total number of respondents, 43 parents have children with disabilities. In terms of gender, the research sample consisted of 155 women and 13 men. The instrument used in the research was an online survey, which consisted of 15 open-ended and closed-ended questions. The results of the research showed that 155 parents actively participate in their child’s school activities. Of the total number of parents, 87 stated that teachers contact them only when learning and/or behavioral problems arise. Parents of children with disabilities reported that 27 children have an Individualized Educational Program developed for them. This paper will explain in more detail the importance of parents’ involvement in children’s school life and encourages the cooperation between parents and schools, specifically teachers.
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Children with intellectual disabilities, due to the specificity of their development, have some difficulties in adopting the body scheme and appointing body parts. The more complex the degree of intellectual difficulty – the greater the difficulties in adopting the body scheme and naming body parts. The experience of physical integrity is important due to the awareness of person’s own body and its position in space. When a child adopts physical integrity through movement, it then masters subjective and objective space, and its motor organization and performance become more mature. Psychomotor reeducation helps the child to detect body parts as a whole through carefully and individually selected exercises while adopting concepts through appointment. Psychomotor reeducation increases the focus of attention, activates sensomotor media and allows communication through physicality. Through psychomotor reeducation exercises, the child gains experience about himself and his environment. By knowing his own body, the child takes the first step towards cognitive development. The aim of this work is to point to the importance of applying psychomotor reeducation in mastering the body scheme in students with intellectual disabilities and assist parents, teachers and experts in recognizing it. In working with three students with intellectual disabilities, ages 6 and 7, a set of psychomotor reeducation exercises has been applied to adopt physical integrity, body schemes and adopt concepts for appointing body parts. The results of the application of a set of psychomotor reeducation exercises in three students with intellectual disabilities, ages 6 and 7, show the full adoption of the body scheme as well as the adoption of most concepts for appointing body parts. We believe that the application of psychomotor reeducation contributes to the experience of children, which will also affect their cognitive development.
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Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) is an umbrella term, encompassing certain categories in relation to a specific aspect of learning that is affected. Definitions of specific learning difficulties have changed over time, resulting in inconsistencies in research and legislative frameworks. However, according to the new The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), which provides a widely accepted definition that is increasingly used in research and it is accepted by important parties which are in charge for rights of associations of people with specific learning disabilities, in this category are include dyslexia, dysgraphia as well as dyscalculia. SLD can be diagnosed if one difficulty is present in one or all three domains despite conventional schooling, normal hearing and vision, normal intelligence, adequate motivation, and adequate socio-cultural opportunities. For decades, researchers have been trying to provide an adequate definition, operationalize diagnostic criteria, in order to create instruments and investigate the exact prevalence, and shed light on the etiological factors of these difficulties. A comprehensive model of specific learning difficulties must take both into account; isolated learning disorders as well as comorbidities between them. However, specific learning difficulties, although they may occur together, are characterized by different underlying deficits and therefore each domain requires a separate approach. Given this, the aim of our work is to review previous achievements in this field, so that we have a clear starting point for further research work.
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Sleep is a very important factor that directly affects the mental and physical development of a child. Elementary school “Vinko Bek” in Zagreb is attended by blind and visually impaired students who often have associated influential difficulties. It is especially important for them to get enough quality sleep during childhood so that they can develop and progress to the maximum of their abilities. Following the psychophysical development and progress of students in our school, we noticed very specific sleep patterns and the presence of certain difficulties or disorders in sleep. Professors and professional associates of various professions who work with students daily noticed in their work the negative impact of lack of quality sleep on their daily functioning in the school environment. To be able to accurately identify students who have difficulty sleeping and to be able to provide them with adequate assistance, we created a questionnaire that collected all relevant information. The questionnaire is intended for parents and includes medical data of the student, data on sleep habits (sleep hygiene), spatial conditions in which the student sleeps, and data on current life circumstances in which the student finds himself, which may affect the quality and quantity of sleep. To raise awareness and inform parents about the importance of sleep for the child and the child’s overall development, we have created a leaflet that provides general information about sleep. Given that these are children with visual impairment, and often additional influential difficulties, a multidisciplinary approach to this problem is very important. It is important to do more research because there is currently a lack of scientific data on this topic.
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Inclusive teaching in the Republic of Serbia was introduced abruptly, without sufficient knowledge, resources and without respecting the positive previous experiences in working with students with disabilities. Teachers in the regular system could not replace special educators in their work, and the support of pedagogical assistants was lacking. Inclusion, instead of improving the situation for students with disabilities, often led to their isolation in the regular system, loss of opportunities for socialization, individual treatment, life skills training and more. Creating a pilot program in the Secondary Vocational School, we started from the hypothesis that it is possible to introduce an inclusive and integrative model of teaching that will provide a level of educational outcomes that meets different abilities of students and provides further development (progress) through the teaching process. Pilot thematic classes were organized and the hypothesis was confirmed through research methods of experiments, analysis of achieved results and survey. Some teachers and professional associates at the Secondary Vocational School for Students with Developmental Disabilities agreed on the competencies that students should acquire during the thematic classes in the field of ecology and made an agreement on joint activities. Inclusive, integrative and thematic classes in the field of ecology were conducted during the first two weeks of May 2018/2019. with 11 departments. Extensive survey included all teachers and assistants who participated in the survey and companions, quantitative and qualitative analysis of data, establishing the initial test, final test and control group test, we obtained accurate data whose analysis we could confirm that the above classes have greatly raised the level of achievement for all students, they harmonized the relationship between students of unequal abilities, and made work in a school with disabilities more efficient and adapted to each student. We have proven that this type of teaching is not only useful in schools for students with disabilities, but also of great help in the regular system.
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Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) is an area of clinical practice that addresses the needs of individuals with significant and complex communication impairments characterized by impaired production and/or comprehension of spoken language, including spoken and written modes of communication. Augmentative communication is used to supplement existing speech, and alternative communication is used instead of speech that is not functional or not present at all. Communication is a very important factor for shaping society. It is one of the basic human rights. The essence of communication is the ability to convey our thoughts, feelings and desires. Every child and adult have the right to communicate. Children and people with disabilities mostly have communication difficulties. That is why they need help to be included in the activities of daily living. Modern technology enables an easier and better life for children and people with disabilities. In schools, children with disabilities use AAC to facilitate participation in the teaching process, which enables them better interaction with other students and their teachers and makes it easier for them to understand and adopt the material. AAC enables adults’ better involvement in everyday life activities, giving them equal employment opportunities. The aim of our paper is to show what alternative and augmentative communication is and to explain the importance of AAC for children and adults with disabilities.
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