Social media and videoblogging, or vlogging, are taking over the internet and North Korea is joining this trend. While doing so, the state is reaching out to the international community through...Show moreSocial media and videoblogging, or vlogging, are taking over the internet and North Korea is joining this trend. While doing so, the state is reaching out to the international community through relatable media content and soft power tools. One of the examples, in which North Korea reached out to the international viewer, is the Youtube channel ‘Echo of Truth’. This research aims to answer the question as to how soft power tools are applied in the videos of ‘Echo of Truth’. By using a qualitative visual discourse analysis, it analyzes the videos of ‘Echo of Truth’ to answer this question. This thesis argues that soft power tools, such as cultural and culinary diplomacy, are applied in the videos in order to make these videos more relatable to the international audience. However, not all the videos were found to have used these soft power techniques as traditional propaganda videos were still uploaded to the channel. The sheer differences found in the channel’s videos raised the question of a power dilemma the channel seemed to be facing.Show less
Many Brazilian LGBT teens struggle as LGBT-phobic violence and discrimination is still common, which casts them to a marginal position in society. In the last few years LGBT adolescents have found...Show moreMany Brazilian LGBT teens struggle as LGBT-phobic violence and discrimination is still common, which casts them to a marginal position in society. In the last few years LGBT adolescents have found in YouTube a platform on which they can establish a virtual community and provide help such as sharing advice on how to overcome LGBT-phobia. The first chapter will provide an overview on the current stance of academia on the topic of how YouTube enables participatory culture and community building, with a special focus on the LGBT community. The second chapter will provide more background information on the problem of LGBT-phobia in Brazil. The third chapter analyzes four videos uploaded by Brazilian LGBT-themed channels and pays special attention on how the community is portrayed, and what kind of messages the YouTubers share. As bonds have been established among the virtual community, the YouTubers can spread encouraging messages that seek to empower the viewers to strive for more equality and acceptance in society.Show less
