Abstract The basis of this study is to establish whether news on HIV/AIDS treatment issues is dominated by non-expert and activist sources as opposed to state or government and expert sources. It also seeks to determine if there is a growing use of the alternative or non-official sources in the reporting of this issue in the selected South African Press (The Star and The Sowetan). In reference to the concept of ‘primary definition’ by Hall (1978) and his colleagues, official sources have automatically been assumed to be the dominant sources as regards usage by journalists or reporters and have as a result been expected to be the definers of news agendas. However, this concept has been criticised by Schlesinger (1990), who argues that non-official/activist sources may have more power to define media topics than has been implied in the past. This study therefore has examined whether such a trend may be shifting to pave way for the increased use of alternative sources as well. The findings of this report have proved that while official sources continue to be used in dominance as sources, there is undoubtedly a large use of non-official sources as key sources as well. This is a challenge to Hall’s (1978) concept that in its rigid nature fails to accommodate such a notion. It is however in concurrence with Schlesinger’s (1990) views that recognise the fact that non-official/alternative sources cannot be underestimated in terms of their power to define news agendas. Further, in an attempt to explain why and how these non-official sources have succeeded in achieving media attention, the study has also examined some media strategies that have been put in place by various source organisations. It has also proposes a more nuance model of the ‘theory of dominance’ that gives a provision for the ability of sources to be dynamic because of various factors.

This is a study of the politics of language in Canada from the perspective of francophone minority communities – the close to one million French-speakers living in provinces and territories outside Québec. The analysis proceeds in two main parts. The first part examines and engages with the literature in political theory on the respect and recognition of ethnocultural minorities in liberal democracies. It reconstructs Will Kymlicka’s approach to normative theorizing on ethnocultural justice and defends it against recent important works emphasizing the deliberative resolution of issues of ethnocultural diversity. It shows how the Kymlickan approach to multiculturalism and minority rights requires uncovering and articulating the normative logic that underpins both group claims and state measures. The second part of the thesis carries out the Kymlickan approach with respect to the status and treatment of francophone minorities outside Québec. It begins by showing how Kymlicka and his main critics have failed to fully apply, as it were, the Kymlickan approach to the status and treatment of Canada’s Francophone minority communities. It then analyzes these communities’ political claims for justice and equality as well as the rights and accommodations put in place by the state in an effort to come to terms with their claims. It finds that the failure of the federal language regime to respond adequately to their claims for a combination of participation and autonomy lies with its given administrative application of legislative commitments not within commitments themselves. In summary, weaving the political theory of multiculturalism together with l’étude des minorités francophones hors Québec, this thesis incorporates Canada’s Francophone minority communities into a scholarship that has ignored or rendered them invisible and it also shows how the federal government could go about ensuring their just recognition and equal treatment. / Thesis (Ph.D, Political Studies) -- Queen's University, 2012-02-28 12:48:26.713

Thesis (M.Journ.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 43-49). Also available in print.

La pénalisation apparente de la responsabilité des agents publics constitue depuis 2004 l'un des traits marquants de l'actualité nationale. Pourtant, derrière ces pseudos condamnations se cache un océan d'impunité. Impunité parfois voulue et encouragée par les pouvoirs publics au point où, certains auteurs, ont qualifié cette attitude de « réinstitutionnalisation des infractions par l'Etat » pour montrer que par son action la puissance publique finit par donner le caractère légal à ce qui est illégal. Partant de ce constat, nous nous sommes proposé de répondre à la question : existe-t-il encore une responsabilité pénale pour les agents publics au Cameroun ? A l’observation, s’il est vrai que cette dernière est perceptible à bien des égards ; il est tout aussi vrai qu’elle est perfectible à bien d’autres égards. / One of the most important thing in cameroon actuality since 2004, is the apparent penalisation of public agents responsibility. However, these appearences appear just to be the tree hiding a forest of impunity. That impunity, which sometimes can be considered as encouraged by authorities, led some authors to speak about "the reinstitutionalisation of infractions by the STATE" to demonstrate how, the STATE with his power can make something illegal seen as legal.Thus, the question "do a penal responsability for public agents still exist in Cameroon ?" seems to be a logic confusion which the present work should try as possible to clarify and understand. Nevertheless, let us mention that the Cameroonian law clearly forbid and condemn all the responsibles, even public agents, of infractions. By then and as a matter of fact, all the public agents are penaly responsible. But although there exist a law for it, many things can be done in order to improve that law for the Cameroon to become more rightious.

Official veterinarians (OVs), employed by the National Food Administration of Sweden, are responsible for the monitoring of animal welfare as well as food hygiene procedures in the country ́s slaughterhouses. In 2014, the National Food Administration of Sweden introduced new policy guidelines to ensure that the OVs report all deviations to the County Administrative Boards of Sweden, which are responsible for welfare inspections in Sweden. Therefore, it is important that the OVs notify the administrative boards if they have any suspicions regarding animal neglect. The overall aim of this study is to investigate the cooperation between the County Administrative Boards of Sweden and the National Food Administration of Sweden, and to find out how this collaboration impacts animal welfare. In addition to this, its second aim is to explore the current state of animal welfare in slaughterhouses in southern Sweden. This study is based on a qualitative research method, which combines questioners with the analysis of publicly available documents. Furthermore, this study shows that although the new guidelines have resulted in heavier workloads, both parties are satisfied with the arrangement and agree that the new procedures have led to an improvement of animal welfare. In 2015, OVs in Skåne, Blekinge, Halland and Kronoberg submitted 506 cases of suspected animal cruelty taken place in these counties to the County Administrative Boards of Sweden. After comparison of the total number of reports from 2015 and the overall animals slaughtered in the counties in 2014, this study highlights that 0,03 % of all lambs, 0,12 % of all swine and 0,01 % of all cattle were reported with deviations during slaughter. Therefore, this study concludes that animal welfare in slaughterhouses can be considered to be of a high standard. / Sverige anses i många avseende vara ett föregångsland när det kommer till djurskydd och djurvälfärd. En betydelsefull del av den svenska djurskyddskontrollen utgörs av s.k. officiella veterinärer vilka är speciellt förordnade av Livsmedelsverket att kontrollera livsmedelshygien så väl som djurhälsa och djurskydd ute på våra svenska slakterier. Alla våra produktionsdjur som är ämnade att bli livsmedel har sin sista anhalt vid ett slakteri, vilket gör de officiella veterinärernas och assistenternas roll mycket betydelsefull. Under vintern 2013 slog media larm om att avvikelser som uppmärksammats i samband med slakttransporter inte alltid rapporterades vidare till länsstyrelsen i den utsträckning de borde. Året därefter infördes en nyordning från Livsmedelsverkets sida och idag följer de officiella veterinärer nya riktlinjer gällande hur denna vidarerapportering ska gå till. För att bristerna som uppdagats vid slakt ska följas upp och utredas är det viktigt att informationen når länsstyrelsen för vidare handläggning. De officiella veterinärerna ska därför, enligt de nya riktlinjerna, meddela länsstyrelsen om alla uppmärksammade brister i djurskyddet vid slakt genom en “underrättelse om djurskydd”. Ett gott samarbete mellan länsstyrelsen och Livsmedelsverket är därmed väsentligt för att avvikelser i djurhållningen inte ska gå obemärkta förbi. Syftet med denna studie var dels att beskriva hur samarbetet mellan Livsmedelsverket och länsstyrelsen fungerar i Skåne, Halland, Blekinge samt Kronoberg och vilken inverkan det har på djurskyddet vid slakt. Den andra delen av studien berör hur djurvälfärden vid slakt ser ut utifrån vilka avvikelser som uppdagats under 2015 och underrättats till länsstyrelsen i respektive län. Undersökningen genomfördes med en kvalitativ metod och inleddes med att samtliga underrättelser om djurskydd som upprättats under 2015 i fyra angränsade län i södra Sverige begärdes ut från Livsmedelsverket. För att få svar på hur samarbetet mellan Livsmedelsverket och länsstyrelsen fungerar skickades två frågeformulär ut till sakkunnig personal inom området; ett till Livsmedelsverkets officiella veterinärer i södra Götaland och ett till verksamma djurskyddshandläggare i de berörda länen som ansvarar för handläggning och uppföljning av inkomna djurskyddsärenden vid slakt. De befintliga rutinerna och riktlinjer som följs i dagsläget har lett till en ökad arbetsbelastning för båda parter och under 2015 inkom sammanlagt 506 underrättelser till Länsstyrelsen i Skåne, Halland, Blekinge och Kronoberg. Trots att arbetsbördan har ökat anser både länsstyrelsen och Livsmedelsverket i södra Sverige att samarbetet och kommunikationen mellan parterna har förbättrats sedan nyordningen infördes. Vid jämförelse mellan antalet slaktade djur 2014 och andelen djur som noterats med avvikelser 2015 i de fyra länen erhölls en procentuell siffra på den totala andelen djur som noterats med avvikelser vid slakt. Resultatet blev 0,03 % för får/lamm, 0,12 % för slaktsvin och suggor och 0,01 % för nötkreatur. Resultatet indikerar på en god djurvälfärd vid slakt hos våra produktionsdjur i södra Sverige. För att få djupgående kunskaper om effektiviteten i länsstyrelsens och Livsmedelsverkets samarbete bör även djurhållares och transportörers upplevelser tas i beaktande i framtida studier.

This thesis addresses the cause and the extent of sprawl in China, how to deal with sprawl using smart growth in official plans. Sprawl is “haphazard growth or outward extension of a city resulting from uncontrolled or poorly managed development” (Merriam-Webster dictionary). The importance of dealing with sprawl is realized when one considers negative impacts of sprawl, including traffic congestion, air and water pollution, loss of natural habitat and farmland, a fiscal and social crisis in the cities, and inability of public services to keep pace with suburban growth. Despite the great potential of using North America’s smart growth to deal with China’s sprawl, it is very important to bear in mind the different situation in North America and China, such as the difference in the development pattern, transportation modes, living philosophy, land policy, and fiscal stimulation. This research examines how much of the smart growth is being implemented in Xuzhou’s Official Plan and what obstacles prevent some principles of smart growth from being used. This research concludes that Chinese current policy and economic climate are favourable to the implementation of smart growth. Although some principles of smart growth have been embodied in official plans and planning policies, this research has illustrated that there are several challenges that planners and municipal leaders face in relation to the creation of a range of housing opportunities and choices, to the fostering distinctive and attractive communities with a strong sense of place, to the preservation of open space and farmland, to the establishment of cost-effective development decisions. Finally, the research identifies several recommendations to implement smart growth in China. The significance of this study for the planning profession is that by identifying opportunities and challenges to deal with sprawl using smart growth in China’ context, planners will be better able to formulate strategies, especially at the official plan level, that implement smart growth by targeting sprawl that currently impedes cities’ sustainable development. Through implementing smart growth, cities in China will be able to cope with growth while maintaining a high quality of life and fulfilling the goal of balanced environmental, social, economic, and land use priorities.

This thesis addresses the cause and the extent of sprawl in China, how to deal with sprawl using smart growth in official plans. Sprawl is “haphazard growth or outward extension of a city resulting from uncontrolled or poorly managed development” (Merriam-Webster dictionary). The importance of dealing with sprawl is realized when one considers negative impacts of sprawl, including traffic congestion, air and water pollution, loss of natural habitat and farmland, a fiscal and social crisis in the cities, and inability of public services to keep pace with suburban growth. Despite the great potential of using North America’s smart growth to deal with China’s sprawl, it is very important to bear in mind the different situation in North America and China, such as the difference in the development pattern, transportation modes, living philosophy, land policy, and fiscal stimulation. This research examines how much of the smart growth is being implemented in Xuzhou’s Official Plan and what obstacles prevent some principles of smart growth from being used. This research concludes that Chinese current policy and economic climate are favourable to the implementation of smart growth. Although some principles of smart growth have been embodied in official plans and planning policies, this research has illustrated that there are several challenges that planners and municipal leaders face in relation to the creation of a range of housing opportunities and choices, to the fostering distinctive and attractive communities with a strong sense of place, to the preservation of open space and farmland, to the establishment of cost-effective development decisions. Finally, the research identifies several recommendations to implement smart growth in China. The significance of this study for the planning profession is that by identifying opportunities and challenges to deal with sprawl using smart growth in China’ context, planners will be better able to formulate strategies, especially at the official plan level, that implement smart growth by targeting sprawl that currently impedes cities’ sustainable development. Through implementing smart growth, cities in China will be able to cope with growth while maintaining a high quality of life and fulfilling the goal of balanced environmental, social, economic, and land use priorities.

Legislation on official controls requires competent authorities to carry out a risk-based control in a uniform way. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether data from official controls can be used to examine to what extent the assessment of compliance is performed in a uniform way. Data from official controls carried out by a competent authority were examined for differences in the assessment of non-compliance amongst the control staff. The dissemination of non-compliance within a selection of regulatory requirements was also examined. The result shows that the proportion non-compliances increase when more than one inspector is present. Inspectors carrying out fewer controls show significant differences in their assessment of compliance with certain requirements. Under certain conditions dispersion measures based on the proportion of non-compliances can be used as indicators or comparative figures for consistency.

published_or_final_version / Journalism and Media Studies Centre / Master / Master of Journalism

Tyrimo objektas - Lietuvos miestų savivaldybių sporto padalinių specialistų (vadybininkų) kompetencijos. Darbo tikslas - Atlikti Lietuvos miestų savivaldybių sporto padalinių vadybininkų (specialistų) kompetencijų tyrimą ir analizę. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Apibrėžti kompetencijos ir darbo rinkos sampratas. 2. Išanalizuoti teorinius valstybės tarnautojų kompetencijos aspektus. 3. Ištirti sporto specialistų (vadybininkų) rengimą ir tobulinimą Lietuvoje. 4. Išsiaiškinti pagrindines savivaldybių sporto padalinių funkcijas ir priskirti kompetencijas, reikalingas jiems atlikti. 5. Nustatyti sporto specialistų kompetencijų lygį. Darbo struktūra - Darbą sudaro 4 dalys, 73 puslapiai , 6 lentelės, 23 paveikslai ir 4 priedai. Pagrindinės savivaldybių sporto padalinių funkcijų grupės: - Personalo valdymo - Sporto mokymo įstaigų veiklos koordinavimas - Teisinio valdymo - Informacijos valdymo - Statinių valdymo - Finansinės veiklos valdymo - Renginių valdymo - Aukšto meistriškumo sportininkų rengimo Pagal TUNING projektą, kuris nukreiptas į specialistų rengimo modernizavimą, 4 grupių kompetencijos: instrumentinės (būtinosios), tarpasmeninės, sisteminės ir kitos kompetencijos yra priskirtinos savivaldybių sporto padalinių atliekamoms funkcijoms atlikti. / Research object Competences of municipality sport departments managers (specialists). Aim of research To perform competence research and analysis of municipality sport departments managers (specialists). Tasks of research 1. To define conceptions of competence and labor market. 2. To analyze academic aspects of public officials competences. 3. To research training and development of sport managers (specialists) in Lithuania. 4. To detect main functions of municipality sport departments and identify competences, required to fulfill them. 5. To detect competence level of sport specialists. Research structure Research is structured of 4 parts, 56 pages , 6 tables, 23 pictures and 4 supplements. Main functions of municipality sport departments: personell management, koordination of sport teaching institutions, legal management, information management, buildings management, financial management, event management, high mastery sportsmen praparation. According TUNING project competences of 4 groups are referable to 8 main fumctions of municipality sport departments: instrumental, interpersonal, systemic and other competences. Key words: competence, sport management, public official.