COM3705 Assignment
3 PORTFILIO
(COMPLETE
ANSWERS) Semester
2 2025 - DUE 29
October 2025
NO PLAGIARISM
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,Exam (elaborations)
COM3705 Assignment 3 PORTFILIO
(COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 2 2025 -
DUE 29 October 2025
Course
International Communication (COM3705)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
International Communication
COM3705 Assignment 3 PORTFILIO (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 2 2025 -
DUE 29 October 2025; 100% TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and
explanations.. Ensure your success with us.
QUESTION 1: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (45) Read the following article SA
PRESIDENT HOPEFUL OVER PROGRESS IN US RELATIONS South Africa's (SA)
President Cyril Ramaphosa says he is hopeful about progress in the country’s
relations with the United States (US) Speaking to SABC News Political Editor,
Mzwandile Mbeje, Ramaphosa noted improved communication channels,
especially since trade talks have begun to address recent US tariff increases.
Although US President, Donald Trump said he will not attend the
Johannesburg G20 Summit in November, Ramaphosa says he has invited him
to accept the G20 presidency handover in person. ―We do believe that the
fact that formal negotiations have now started, and it's no longer tweets and
social media messages. It's now formal negotiations. People are in the white
house talking about important issues of trade and all that. That, for us, is a
great advance. It’s a great progress forward, and we are hoping that those
discussions will be well-concluded,‖ Ramaphosa said. Consult the following
prescribed readings: · Achieng, AJ, Kiamba, A & Kagwanja, P. 2024.
Reconsidering opportunities and approaches in the practice of public
diplomacy. Journal of African Foreign Affairs 11(1):73-93. · Knowska, W.
2021. The role of social media in contemporary international politics.
Alcumena Interdisciplinary Journal 3(7):13-20. · Mutisya, M, Maluki, P & Adar,
K. 2024. The role of digital diplomacy in advancing foreign policy in Africa:
The case of Kenya and South Africa. Journal of African Foreign Affairs
11(3):23-48. · Sayin, FM & Sayin, BA. 2013. Old and new diplomacy and the
role of social media. The International Journal of Economic and Social
Research 9 (1):15-30. In light of the above article, and the prescribed
readings (including your Study Guide), write an essay that must include the
following points: QUESTION 2 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION MEDIA (45
,marks) The advent of international radio broadcasting revolutionised the
dissemination of information and entertainment, creating a global platform
for cultural exchange. As radio continues to evolve internationally, its
relationship with the film industry—one of the most dynamic and rapidly
growing entertainment sectors—becomes increasingly significant too. In light
of the above, write an essay on the developments in international radio
broadcasting and film. You need to refer to the following prescribed readings
by incorporating relevant information in your essay: Study Unit 3:
International Communication Media Ahuja, V. 2021. Transforming the Media
and entertainment Industry: Cases From the Social Media Marketing world.
Journal of Cases on Information Technology, 23(4):1-17. Anyanwu, C. 2022.
Nollywood and the national question. Quarterly Review of Film and
Television, 39(4):799-814. Endong, FPC. 2018. Cinema globalization and
nation branding: an exploration of the impact of Nollywood on the Nigerian
image crisis. Journal of Globalization Studies, 9(1):77-90. Joao de Santos,
VM. 2021. The current state and trends of the development of digital
teleradio broadcasting systems in the world. Synchroinfo Journal, 1(7):17-23
Your essay should address the following key areas: COM3705/201/2/2018 7
1.5 Discuss how global news agencies influence the content of international
news. (10) For this question, you you had to provide a theoretical discussion
on the role of international media agencies. Your discussion could have been
enhanced by other sources. Tutorial Letter 501 (pages 118–126) is helpful to
provide basic insight into tackling this question. Your discussion would have
been enhanced if you incorporated a brief theoretical discussion on the
content of international news and then expanded on this by briefly outlining
how this content is influenced by global news agencies.
QUESTION 1: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (45
marks)
SA PRESIDENT HOPEFUL OVER PROGRESS IN US RELATIONS
Introduction
International relations are defined by the ways in which states interact, negotiate, and project
their foreign policy objectives in an increasingly interconnected world. In the case of South
Africa and the United States, diplomatic relations have historically been shaped by trade,
political alignment, and global governance cooperation. The article “SA President hopeful over
progress in US relations” highlights President Cyril Ramaphosa’s optimism regarding renewed
trade negotiations and improved communication channels between South Africa and the United
States. This development signals a shift from informal and often unpredictable diplomatic
exchanges via social media to structured diplomatic dialogue.
, This essay examines the implications of Ramaphosa’s statement through the lens of public
diplomacy, digital diplomacy, and the role of social media in contemporary international
politics. Drawing from prescribed readings by Achieng et al. (2024), Knowska (2021), Mutisya
et al. (2024), and Sayin and Sayin (2013), the essay discusses how modern diplomacy has
evolved from traditional government-to-government interaction to a multi-layered, digitally
mediated process that includes public engagement and media influence.
1. Shifts from Traditional to Public Diplomacy
According to Achieng, Kiamba, and Kagwanja (2024), public diplomacy has redefined how
nations build international relationships by focusing on dialogue, mutual understanding, and
people-to-people contact rather than solely government exchanges. In this context, South
Africa’s engagement with the United States demonstrates an effort to foster constructive public
diplomacy—using trade and communication channels to influence perceptions and promote
mutual benefit.
Traditional diplomacy was historically state-centric, relying on formal communication channels
and closed-door negotiations. However, Ramaphosa’s emphasis on “formal negotiations”
replacing social media exchanges reflects a desire to restore credibility and structure in
diplomatic engagement. This aligns with Achieng et al.’s (2024) argument that African nations
are increasingly turning to strategic communication to enhance their global standing and
influence.
Public diplomacy also serves as a tool for nation branding, where states project positive
narratives to attract investment, tourism, and international cooperation. For South Africa, whose
global image has faced challenges due to economic instability and governance concerns,
strengthening ties with the United States represents an opportunity to rebuild confidence among
international partners.
2. The Rise of Digital Diplomacy in Africa
Digital diplomacy, as discussed by Mutisya, Maluki, and Adar (2024), refers to the use of digital
tools—particularly social media and online platforms—to advance a country’s foreign policy
objectives. In the African context, both Kenya and South Africa have increasingly used digital
channels to complement traditional diplomatic practices. The case of South Africa’s engagement
with the U.S. demonstrates the tension between these two spheres: while informal
communication via platforms like Twitter can rapidly disseminate messages, it can also create
misunderstandings or diplomatic friction.
Mutisya et al. (2024) argue that digital diplomacy should be institutionalized rather than
personalized. Ramaphosa’s statement that diplomacy has moved from “tweets and social media
messages” to “formal negotiations” reinforces this view. It suggests that South Africa recognizes