Сп. „Реторика и комуникации“, брой 60, юли 2024 г.
Rhetoric and Communications, Issue 60, July 2024
DOI 10.55026/KRTK3109
Prof. Dr. Simeon Vassilev
Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
E-mail: sivasilev@uni-sofia.bg
Issue 60 of the scholarly e-journal Rhetoric and Communications offers in-depth research by Bulgarian and foreign researchers in the field of rhetoric and communication. The articles in the issue are a kind of meeting of history and present. They are the result of serious research efforts to theoretically reflect on the rhetorical past, the oratorical heritage and the dynamics of transformation in the communication present. Included in the issue are scholarly articles that range in topic and time from the analysis of ancient texts and rhetorical techniques to the study of digitalization and its impact on political, public, and media communication.
The section “Rhetoric and Literature” includes texts by Marieta Boteva and Georgi Petkov. The oratorical heritage of Ancient Rome is the focus of Marieta Boteva’s attention. She presents the results of a rhetorical analysis of the Roman orator Marcus Tullius Cicero’s first accusatory speech against Catiline. Specifically, his rhetorical techniques are examined. Marieta Boteva presents her own model for speech analysis. In the article “Rhetorical Reflections on Carmina Burana” Georgi Petkov searches for contemporary relevance of the authentic text with rhetorical methods. He argues that there are reasons to place the reading of ancient texts in a different research context that shows that reflection in the perspective of rhetoric can present ancient texts as relevant, enjoyable and significant.
Contemporary issues are represented in the issue through topics such as political cybermarketing, the phenomenon of digital stratification, the legal and ethical aspects of artificial intelligence, radical changes in the public sphere, and immersive journalism.
The construction of public opinion through new digital technologies is the topic of Borislav Vilarov’s article. He explores the influence of information technology and artificial intelligence in politics as one of the most important spheres of human activity. Vilarov introduces the concept of political cybermarketing, which is defined as “modern political marketing based on cyberalgorithms, psychography, microtargeting, big data analytics, and targeting of personal ads through social media and AI-based digital technologies”. Borislav Vilarov presents his hypothesis on the mechanisms of the impact of political cybermarketing on political communication. The very important issue of social inequality in the modern information society is discussed in Vladislava Dimitrova’s article. The phenomenon of digital stratification is at the center of her research and is analysed as a new type of social inequality. The author comes to an important conclusion about the need for a timely government policy to reduce digital stratification and promote equal access to information technology for all citizens. The regulation of artificial intelligence is the focus of attention in Mariya Ilieva’s article. The methods of critical analysis, desk research and discourse analysis are used to investigate artificial intelligence systems in the EU. Particular emphasis is placed on legislative and non-legislative initiatives, ethical and communication aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) as well as the compatibility of AI with fundamental societal values and human rights. Dimitrina Stefanova explores the radical changes in communication and their impact on public relations and the public sphere. In her article, she critically reviews the principles embedded in strategic documents related to public sector activity and provides recommendations for structuring effective PR at national and supranational levels.
Tetiana Zinovieva focuses her scholarly interest on the so-called immersive journalism influencing credibility in the context of the post-truth era and the ongoing war in Ukraine. She concludes that immersive journalism has the potential to challenge stereotypes, promote empathy and deepen understanding among audiences in an intensive way. The study highlights the need for responsible and ethical use of immersive media, which creates the effect of presence or immersion in a particular place described in news and reports from the scene. They create a sense of presence and interaction in virtual or augmented realities. In this context, impact journalism opens up opportunities for critical thinking for journalism students in their efforts to create impactful and credible journalism as a condition for public engagement with complex issues such as war and conflict.
Two book reviews are published in issue 60 of the journal.
Vladimir Dimitrov presents Prof. Miroslav Dachev’s book “Miraculous Icons of the Holy Mountain” from the “Athoniada” series. In it, iconography, iconology and the narrative of the miracle meet.
Katya Issa presents “English-Bulgarian Glossary of Geotechnics” by Dobromir Hicheva and Asya Bozhinova-Haapanen, which is defined as a new type of bilingual glossary of basic classical and modern terms from the field of geotechnics and engineering geology.