Sanitas Weekly Web Summary for the Week of January 23rd

Sanitas International offers a weekly summary of influential and informative media articles from around the world regarding strategic communications, crisis management, digital media and political affairs.  Particular interest is given to articles discussing topics in developing countries and emerging market.

After early reports of Joe Paterno’s death this week proved to be false, CBS News acted swiftly and fired the sports blogger for his Twitter misstep.  Twitter also faced scrutiny this week after it released new policies stating it would block posts from certain developing countries, many of which are in Africa. In other digital media news, Facebook announced all user accounts would switch to the Timeline format, which has also created a stir on the web.  These were not the only things that caused social media platforms to be a buzz this week. President Obama’s annual State of the Union address lit up the Twitterverse a long with the Occupy Oakland protests, which resulted in 300 hundred arrests, and the Florida debate and primary. Presidential GOP candidates like Mitt Romney sought to prepare for the newsworthy event by hiring a new debate coach while Newt Gingrich’s ‘Super PAC’ received a $5 million ‘infusion.’ Myanmar’s Suu Kyi is also gearing up for her country’s election by launching a political tour before by-elections. While Myanmar’s political future seems on track to change, Syrian opposition parties are still fighting for their political rights. Most recently, the Syrian opposition council accused Iran of playing a role in the government’s bloody crackdown on citizens. Questions concerning how GOP presidential candidates will handle issues like Syria and the Arab Spring have permeated presidential debates, and foreign policy has become a main point of differentiation among the final four candidates. In other foreign policy news, Panetta stated he was concerned for the Pakistani doctor who helped lead the U.S. to bin Laden, and the foreign policy chief of the EU said there may still be a possibility for Israeli-Palestinian talks.

This week’s summary highlights these and other developments around the world. As Sanitas constantly emphasizes, government and business cannot afford to ignore these growing and evolving challenges. Especially as these and others issues influence reputations, challenge operational decisions and affect overall revenues and influence.

Strategic Communication:

Early report of Joe Paterno's death leads to apologies

Head of Arab League observers in Syria rejects criticism

In State of the Union address, Obama says ‘basic American promise’ is at risk

Crisis Management:

CBS fires sports blogger following Twitter-based misstep on Paterno’s death

Two Obama initiatives to address foreclosure crisis face hurdles

Syrian opposition council accuses Iran of role in bloody crackdown

300 arrested in daylong Occupy Oakland protests

Digital Media:

Twitter’s New Policy on Blocking Posts Is Attacked, and Defended

Facebook Timeline: There's no escaping it now

This week’s best new social media tools

Political:

Myanmar's Suu Kyi starts political tour before by-elections

Early primary creates political 'Super Bowl' in Florida

‘Super PAC’ for Gingrich to Get $5 Million Infusion

Romney Adds a Top Debate Coach           

Foreign Policy:

Panetta concerned about doctor who helped in bin Laden raid

Foreign policy of the final four         

EU’s foreign policy chief says there’s still a chance for Israeli-Palestinian talks