Sanitas Weekly Web Summary for the Week of August 1st

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.

This week, in the wake of the U.S. credit downgrade, lawmakers on both sides continue to point fingers and blame one another for the AA+ rating. The downgrade and credit crisis has many worried, which has caused lawmakers like Rep. Boehner to vocalize their position on cutting deficits. Stocks took a nosedive this week as Congress continued its deadlock on the debt crisis, which has resulted in an 82% disapproval rating for the government body. AIG, a company that suffered in the 2008 recession sought to assure patrons and stockholders that the debt crisis was not affecting it by announcing its “crisis” was over. Some would argue that the U.S. debt crisis and credit downgrade have been overshadowed by the shooting tragedy in Norway. The shooter’s history and online activity have gained attention among bloggers as many have attempted to piece together his motives. An act that many believed would decrease tolerance and divide the country is said to have had the opposite effect and united the public. Although media attention has been heavily focused on the debt crisis and the events in Norway, the famine in Somalia now seems bound to take center stage as food threatens to run out in a matter of weeks. Social and digital media could help raise awareness about the famine as these platforms have been used successfully during other critical events and uprisings. However helpful social media may be, in some instances it is looked at as a detriment. Syrian protestors have been hesitant to utilize social networking platforms to promote their efforts and engage a wider audience due to growing concern that the Syrian government uses digital media to identify protestors by tracking their online engagement, movements, and profiles. Syria and its military have proven to be a challenge for U.S. foreign policy as the U.S. continues to struggle to identify a wedge in the Syrian regime in hopes of promoting a similar revolution to Egypt and other Arab Spring nations. Although the Arab Spring is helpful to U.S. efforts, there is only so much the U.S. government can do. The future of Egypt and its laws are now in the hands of the people. Their first order of business is Mubarak’s trial, which began this week.

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:

Racially tinged remarks prompt hasty backtracking

‘Crisis is over’ as AIG posts profit

US Rep Boehner: US Needs To Continue Cutting Deficits

Crisis Management:

Obama says debt ceiling crisis hurt U.S. economy

Fresh credit warnings as US lawmakers trade blame

Norway massacre strengthened tolerance, says ambassador to UAE

Digital Media:

BLOGGERS ASSESS MOTIVES OF THE NORWAY ATTACKER

Warner Bros. Wants To Change the Way You Consume Digital Media

Syrian Protestors Scared to Use Facebook, Twitter

Political:

Stocks plunge on dismal economic growth and worries over Congress’ failure to end debt dispute

Somalis’ fear exposes politics behind famine

Norway puts politics aside for attack victims

Disapproval Rate for Congress at Record 82% After Debt Talks

Foreign Policy:

Foreign Policy: It's Egypt's Trial, Not America's

Impotence is the price of a reckless foreign policy

Huntsman advisor: Romney must disclose his Chinese business ties

U.S. Struggles to Drive Wedge in Syria's Military, Elite

Reuters:

Hedge fund stars profit in global debt crisis

Video of the Week:

S&P’s Beers Discusses U.S. Credit Rating Downgrade