Sanitas Weekly Web Summary for the Week of March 19th

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.

South Africa took a stand on Iran this week when it suspended all oil imports from the country after diplomatic pressure by the U.S. in response Iran’s nuclear program. Iran is quickly becoming a campaign issue for GOP candidates in the U.S. 2012 presidential election as well, since many candidates’ foreign policy messages remain unclear. In other election news, President Obama is said to have raised upwards of $45 million dollars throughout the month of February. In foreign election news, the government of Russia is attempting to make resignation of political parties and party candidates easier for future election issues. In U.S. political news, President Obama expressed sympathy for the family of the Florida teen, Trayvon Martin, who was shot to death, bringing forward the race-related nature of the tragedy saying, “If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon.” The Martin tragedy has been well documented in both mainstream media and online. A recently published LA Times article stated that the viral nature of Martin’s case proved how pivotal social media is to spreading news. In other digital media news, some U.S. Senators are speaking out about a rising trend by some employers who request social network passwords from prospective candidates. Despite the prevalence of social media sharing, an Atlantic article found news seekers still turn to traditional media to obtain information instead of solely relying on social media. A former beacon of British media, News Corp. executives James Murdoch and Rupert Murdoch continue to make headlines for their involvement in the News of the World phone hacking scandal. Reports released earlier this week revealed that investors from both News Corp. and British Sky Broadcasting Group are calling for James Murdoch to step down from his position as chairman at British Sky Broadcasting and board member at News Corp. In other crisis management news, the President of the scandal ridden AIJ Investment Advisors, which is accused of “losing 109.2 billion yen ($1.3 billion) of pension funds after exaggerating its performance to attract clients,” according to an AFP article, stated he was confident the company could ‘recoup’ financial losses incurred from “miscalculations.”

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:

China says lawyers must take oath of loyalty to Communist Party to raise their moral quality

Obama says of the shooting death of Florida teen: ‘If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon’

S.Africa says has suspended Iran oil imports

Crisis Management:

James Murdoch Board Seats Dwindle Amid BSkyB Scrutiny

Dealing with clients' scandal anxiety

Japan pensions scandal firm 'sure of recoup'

Digital Media:                                             

Users Still Turn to Traditional Sites for News

Trayvon Martin case: Proof that the power is in the 'sharing'

US senator: Employers shouldn’t ask job applicants for Facebook, social media passwords

Political:

Election 2012 - Talk politics with New York Daily News Washington Bureau Chief Thomas M. DeFrank

The Electoral Math of Romney’s Stance on Trade With China

Obama raises $45 million in February for campaign, DNC

Russia moves to simplify registration of parties

Foreign Policy:

Turkey's foreign policy pivot

Foreign policy: A rational approach for the U.S.

Republican foreign policy message: TBD