Showing papers in "Global media journal in 2018"

Profesionalización autogestiva de los periodistas mexicanos organizados.

Abstract: Este articulo presenta una aproximacion a estrategias autogestivas de profesionalizacion llevadas a cabo por periodistas organizados. Se analizan dos casos: La Red de Periodistas de Juarez (RPJ) y el Consejo de Periodistas del Papaloapan (COPAN). Ambos grupos emergen en un contexto hostil para el periodismo en Mexico, orientando sus actividades hacia la capacitacion para la autoproteccion y la adquisicion de habilidades profesionales. La discusion conceptual parte del modelo de profesion, relacionado con la institucionalizacion de los conocimientos, la colegiacion y la autonomia profesional, para ponerlo en debate con otras ideas sobre profesionalizacion. El diseno metodologico consistio en observacion y entrevistas, asi como en la revision sistematica de la actividad en linea de las redes de periodistas. Los resultados refuerzan la necesidad de definir el periodismo a partir de las practicas de sus agentes. En ese sentido, el ideal periodistico aceptado por los grupos de periodistas organizados es distinto al normativo liberal; lo mismo que los valores, actitudes, habilidades, conocimientos y redes que se activan y que difieren en objetivos y alcances. Esto permite discutir criticamente que no existe un solo modelo periodistico profesional, sino diversas expresiones del periodismo definidas por sus propias practicas.

Between Limited Laws and Conservative Patriarchal System: Why the Indian Security and Justice System is Less Effective to Prevent Gender-Based Violence against Women and Girls

Abstract: This article investigates why the security and justice system has failed to protect women and girls from genderbased violence in India. Although violence against women and girls is prevalent in all societies, India has been distinctively remarkable for endemic forms of Genderbased violence, linked to the socio-cultural formation of the society. This has led to the creation of various laws, legislations and mechanisms to protect women and girls. But these crimes still persist unabatedly, indicating abysmal failure of the security and justice provisions. To understand the reason behind this ineffectiveness of the criminal justice system, this paper identifies two major factors namely: inconsistencies in laws that leave room for abuse; and the patriarchal system which in its strictest sense abhors the equality of men and women. However, irrespective of the challenges faced in the administration of justice, this paper reveals that the entire criminal justice system has been fundamentally compromised by the long-standing, never-ending ultra conservative misogyny and caste-patriarchy of Indian society which defines both social gender roles and relations, and rationalises various forms of violence meted against women in everyday India. This is the major clog in the wheel of effective security and criminal justice administration, thus efforts should be charted towards addressing this context of GBV where women have increasingly become helpless and easily disposable like chattels.

Effect of the Use of Multimedia on Studentsâ Performance in Secondary School Mathematics

Abstract: The research investigates effectiveness of multimedia on students’ performance in mathematics. Two schools were randomly selected from Educational District V. Intact classes were purposely assigned into experimental and control. Quasi experimental design was adopted. Mathematics Achievement Test with reliability coefficient of 0.81 using KR-20 was used. Data collected were analyzed using ANCOVA. No significant effect exists between the Treatment and achievement in mathematics, the mean achievement score of experimental group was higher than that of control. Also, significant effect did not exist on treatment and gender, but, male have higher achievement mean score (i?½ = 57.50) than female counterparts(i?½ = 54.13). Multimedia positively influenced the academic performance of students in mathematics.

Understanding the Implications of Social Media Usage in the Electoral Processes and Campaigns in Nigeria

Abstract: This paper sheds light on the implications of social media usage in the Nigerian electioneering campaigns and political processes. This study is anchored on the agenda setting and uses and gratification theory. Findings suggest that in the Nigerian 2015 and 2011 general elections, social media was employed due to its participatory nature. It was used as a platform for political campaign organization, electioneering crusades, ideological trumpeting exercises, and mobilization of voters. Specifically, in the 2015 elections, it was found that during the collation of results, citizen journalists and the civil society used social media to inform the public as regards the results in several states across the country. Social media was thus applied to influence the thoughts of many young people, increasing their political awareness and cognizance, which in turn resulted in an unbelievable presidential win of the opposition party All Progressives Congress (APC) over the ruling party People's Democratic Party (PDP). Conversely, social media were also used as a weapon to undermine and even destroy the image of political parties. Character assassination, violence, and abuses (hate) speeches were carried out, which further increased the divide between the North and Southern part of the country. This study recommends that political messages should be based on truth and full of information that will enable the electorate to make a proper decision that will assist in bringing the right people into governance. Future investigators are required to examine computational propaganda in electioneering campaigns in Nigeria.

Politics in a Digital Age: The Impact of New Media Technologies on Public Participation and Political Campaign in Pakistan's 2018 Elections – A Case Study of Karachi

Abstract: Drawing on the theory of public participation, this study evaluates the public’s use of new media technologies during Pakistan’s 2018 election, and whether new media technologies have increased their level of participation in the democratic process and political discourse. The study also examines the impacts of new media technologies on political parties’ campaign and the government’s activities during the country’s 2018 election. To achieve these objectives, the study uses quantitative method of survey and qualitative methods of document review and in-depth interviews. The study uses relative frequency statistics to present the survey data and thematic analysis to analyze the qualitative data.

Comfort or Conflict?: Investigating the Attitude and Experiences of EuropeanFootball Fans in Television Viewing Centers in Nigeria

Abstract: Evidence has shown that there is a considerable number of studies conducted on European football viewership in viewing centers in developing countries, yet, studies that focused on the social and psychological implication of European football viewership, especially on the aspect of peace and conflict, are still in their developing stage In this view, this present study fills this gap by exploring the attitudes and experiences of European football fans in Television (TV) viewing centers in Nigeria, to establish if these acts provide leisure, escapism, comfort, integration of diverse people, or a source of conflict among fans and the society A Qualitative research approach based on participant observation and in-depth interview were adopted in this study Three viewing centers were observed within 10th September to 1st October 2016 during the English, Spanish and UEFA Champions League matches involving Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona football clubs Six (6) European football fans and three managers of football viewing centres were interviewed Findings revealed that European football has the ability to break religious, language, ethnic and political barriers prevalent among Nigerians and bring people together, but it could also lead to argument and conflicts if not properly managed It was also established that fans in viewing centers attached with beer parlors exhibit more violent tendencies in their argument than those in non-beer parlor centers Interestingly, arguments among fans in the selected viewing centers do not often lead to physical confrontation; however, fans suffer from intra-personal conflicts, such as bitterness due to defeats of their clubs and mockery from other fans

Is topic fatigue an international problem?: four theses

Abstract: Topic fatigue is a potential reaction to news topics that the media covers intensively. Recipients experiencing topic fatigue are annoyed and state that they do not want to hear or see anything about such topics anymore. As potential outcome, they strive to avoid such topics during their future news exposure. In this essay, we discuss the question of whether topic fatigue is an international problem. Based on initial empirical insights obtained via qualitative interviews, we establish four theses that underline the international meaning of the phenomenon. First, we argue that the level of press freedom can shape the intensity of topic fatigue and that fatigue experiences can be extreme in countries with low press freedom. Second, we discuss topic fatigue as a potential threat to political transitions and democratization processes. Third, we propose that topic fatigue may reinforce resentments against western societies. Regarding this point, the role of the international media in particular for English-peaking, non-western countries is addressed. Finally, we introduce the argument that topic fatigue may erode the deliberative potential of social media, which can be particularly problematic for countries in which the traditional news media is (politically) dependent. Ultimately, the key elements of these theses are used to propose a comparative research design for an international study on topic fatigue.

Why Do Women Bleach? Understanding the Rationale behind Skin Bleachingand the Influence of Media in Promoting Skin Bleaching: A Narrative Review

Abstract: This paper demonstrates the rationale behind skin bleaching and the influence of media in promoting skin bleaching. A narrative literature review was adopted as the design. Data sources included Google Scholar, Google, and the Scopus. The narrative review was conducted from July 2017 to November 2017. This study revealed that women engage in skin lightening because light skin is associated with higher status, privilege, and beauty, thus, women feel the need to bleach their skin to look beautiful and attract high-status mates. In the entertainment industry, music videos project white skin ladies more than the black ones. Thus, corporations manipulate audiences through advertising, making people believe that with lighter skin, they have more chances to succeed. Evidence from this paper demonstrates that the entertainment industry only portrays the “good” part of skin bleaching, completely hiding the dangerous part of it.

The Conflict between Journalists and the Constitution of 2014 in Egypt

Abstract: The main topic of the study revolves around the revolution of the 25th January 2011, during the first transition phase and the second transition phase up to the 30th June 2013. Egyptian society committed to develop the Constitution to support the rights and freedoms of journalists. In addition, the methodological of the study included a survey research which was conducted over a sample of 150 subject unit. This study focused on the second Constitution Egypt in 2014 included in its provisions articles regarding freedom of expression, access to information, and the media. Article 65 guarantees freedom of thought, opinion, and the expression thereof. Article 68 declares that all official state documents and information are the property of the people who have the right to access such materials in a timely and transparent manner. Articles 70, 71, and 72 focuses on governing the press, providing for many of the rights that support a free media environment. They guarantee the freedom of the print, broadcast, and digital sectors enshrine the right to establish media outlets ban all forms of media censorship, including the suspension and closure of outlets, ban prison terms for press crimes, and declare the independence and neutrality of all state-owned media outlets. The Constitution also calls for the establishment of independent regulatory bodies tasked with supporting and developing both private and state-owned media and administering all relevant regulations. To sum up, and to answer the question about what the conflict between journalists and the Constitution are, we find that, whereas, there are laws in place for the protection of journalists, these laws are not being implemented. It seems the regime government is persecuting journalists in an unprecedented way, and is demolishing freedom of speech in Egypt. This conflict did not end until after the true democratization not by laws, but by modifying and repairing government corruption.

Journalists’ autonomy around the globe: a typology of 46 mass media systems

Abstract: Using structuration theory, assuming that every government has a stake in steering public communication and comparing 46 nation-states, this paper explores the major principles that can be used to explain different mass media structures around the globe The study draws on extensive documentary analysis and includes more than 150 expert interviews It shows that media freedom and journalists’ autonomy depend on not only the particular governmental system, the constitution, journalism education, and the existence of commercial media but also, to a significant extent, on economic realities, the tradition of press freedom, and various other factors that are historical, religious, and/or geographic The tool to do so is a mass media system typology based on two dimensions: formal expectations and the state’s influence

Women Objectification and Advertising: An Analysis of Sexually Objectified Portrayal of Women in Television Advertising in Pakistan

Abstract: This paper tends to highlight the grievance of women's sexual objectification in television advertising in Pakistan. As Martha Nussbaum calls it "instrumentality" of women in mass media advertising for commercial purposes, this paper also attempted to address this concern. Based on the nature of this topic, beauty products advertisements were selected by dividing them into two categories. The time frame was limited and, seven most popular television channels were selected for data gathering purpose. Every observed television channel broadcasted a fair number of product advertisements which were carefully recorded and enlisted in their assigned category. The cross-tabulation method is used to display the frequency record of advertisements whereas; Chi-square test is applied to test the relationship between women sexual objection and television advertising. Results revealed that there is no significant relationship found between our postulated variables. However, several positive responses are also documented which means, media advertising particularly, television advertising in Pakistan does contain related content which promotes inequality and violates women rights in our society. Further, it is recommended that marketers and, advertisers should not exploit the image of women to gain their commercial interest. Rather, they should play their role to alter stereotypical convictions of society about roles of women without limiting perceptions about their intelligence and capabilities.

Social Media Usage among Teenage Girls in Rawalpindi and Islamabad

Abstract: This study investigates "Usage of social media and dependency upon it is causing certain positive impacts on students' academic performance" by respondents using structured survey tools (Questionnaires containing 30 questions about related phenomenon). A sample of 200 teenage girls from twin cities (Rawalpindi, Islamabad) was selected and divided into two proportions (by using a stratified sampling method). The major hypothesis of this study was "It is more likely that social media is used for the academic purpose of teenage girls". The second hypothesis shows their reliance on popular media, as it is written: "It is more likely that, the more they use social media, the more they get dependent upon it". The third hypothesis describes the positive effects of social media regarding their academic performance "It is more likely that the use of social media for educational purposes has positive impacts on students' academic performance". One-way ANOVA (analysis of variance), Correlation and, Regression was applied to test the stated hypothesis in a more systematic way. Results of this study showed that social media is broadly used for the educational purpose (as stated in the hypothesis) and, dependency upon it is causing quite positive impacts on their academic performance. Therefore, more extensive studies are requested by the researcher to explore more facets related to social media usage by the young generation.

Making Sense of Data Journalism from Bangladesh Perspective

Abstract: With emergence of information and communication technologies, our ways of living and interactions, making decisions and comprehending reality are being changed. The fundamental aspect of life is being changed by adding a quantitative dimension to it. The traditional logic of journalism has dramatically been changed by infusing computational thinking into the newsrooms. It has also changed the linear storytelling into a more interactive and engaging way. Troves of available data are offering us a new perspective on reality to be understood, explained and communicated. Most of the scholarships on data journalism have been done from the context of western and developed world. Little has been done from the context of a developing country like Bangladesh. When the role of data grows as a basis for reporting and storytelling, answers to the questions relating to the use or utilization of data, skills needed to do this, platforms and tools of data journalism, potential change in newsrooms needed to be sought. This article tries to answer the questions from the perspective of Bangladesh. It also explore the philosophical turns in understanding the recording, retrieving, explaining, interpreting and representing the reality through the lenses of Big Data and data journalism.

In Search of an Egyptian Product Placement Regulation

Abstract: This article analyses product placement regulation in different countries and regions. The investigative aim is to extrapolate from other systems’ regulations useful elements, which might benefit the Egyptian broadcast ecology given the current goals and challenges it faces. The methodology is based on official document analysis in nine countries grouped into four broad categories ranging from no existing product placement policies in a country such as India to more effective well-defined laws in countries such as the United Kingdom, Korea, and Turkey. The research highlights the drawbacks and advantages of each category concluding that the fourth and final category of regulation models has the highest potential of usefulness for future policy considerations in the Egyptian context.

Agenda-Setting Theory in the U.S. Media: A Comparative Analysis of Terrorist Attacks in France and Nigeria

Abstract: This paper examines six major terrorist attacks that occurred in France and Nigeria between 2011 and 2016. The sources used were the news websites of The New York Times, The Washington Post, and USA Today. Agenda-Setting Theory postulates that the media has the ability to determine the salience of topics in the public domain. “Salience” is the perceived importance of issues or subjects in the eyes of the public. An important conclusion of this analysis is that the U.S. media has been over-reporting terrorist events in France, while underreporting terrorist events in Nigeria. The results of this paper substantiate previous studies that found that U.S. news reports on terrorist attacks in the West gain more widespread media coverage and attention. Evidence of over-reporting and under-reporting of these terrorist incidents attests to the power of Agenda-Setting Theory in the U.S. media because, ultimately, this shapes public perception of the threat that international terrorism poses to innocent people in the West.

El salario de los periodistas, el ancla a su participación en las redes de clientelismo mediático

Abstract: La prioridad de los medios de comunicacion a tener de cliente principal al poder politico ha resultado para los periodistas en explotacion laboral y sometimiento profesional. Los medio de comunicacion pagan un misero salario a los periodistas y/o los utilizan de vendedores de publicidad adicional. Sin embargo, de forma subyacente, transfieren a quienes ocupan cargos representativos en gobierno, poder para intervenir y controlar la informacion que se publica en los medios impresos.A partir los testimonios de periodistas de referencia del Estado de Mexico se busca probar en este estudio que el nivel salarial de los periodistas es el gancho para su participacion en las redes de clientelismo mediatico que redundan en la expansion del poder politico y control social desde el manejo informativo de los medios de comunicacion.En ese objetivo, se atraen a Hallin y Mancini (2004), como soporte de analisis, desde su propuesta conceptual de profesionalizacion a la que se busca incorporar como indicador la posicion salarial de los periodistas.

US-Turkey Relations in the Light of Turkey's Freedom of Press

Abstract: This paper probes effects of deterioration of media freedom in Turkey on bilateral relations between Ankara and Washington. The U.S.-Turkey ties are going through turbulent times and tested by a number of thorny issues. This study claims that the lack of press freedom in Turkey and absence of alternative voices in media prevents maintenance of a healthy dialogue, mutual understanding between two allies and limits effective cooperation in diplomacy, trade, international and regional relations. The rise of anti-Americanism, Turkey’s hostage policy and its coup-related accusations against Washington get only worse with lack of media freedom.

Challenges to Mass Media Posed by Convergence in the Indonesian Context

Abstract: Convergence, which may be induced by media businesspeople, is a model of a business process in the attempt to answer today’s challenges faced by the media industry. This research was aimed to figure out the work mechanism in a newsroom, the improvement of convergence journalists’ competences, and the efforts to deal with obstacles to be encountered during the application of the media convergence system. This research employed a qualitative approach in the form of action research to find out any challenges to mass media industry posed by media convergence in the Indonesian context. Data were collected in two manners, namely in-depth interview and direct observation. The research method used was case study method. To reinforce the data validity, triangulation technique was used on data sources. The researchers investigated the challenges encountered by the media industry in the era of convergence. The research subjects who acted as key informants were news journalists and producers as well as convergence team that was established and trained for the convergence system at Metro TV. From the research, the work mechanism in the newsroom applying the convergence system and having training programs to improve and prepare journalists to become convergence or one-stop shopping journalists were identified. In the implementation, some setbacks were found in the journalists’ preparation to apply the converged newsroom system Super desk.

“Germany’s victory over Brazil was like the Blitzkrieg”:: the sport-politics nexus in Israel during the 2014 World Cup

Abstract: Various voices assert that the sport-politics nexus that characterized international sport events during the Cold War era is irrelevant in the current age of globalization. This study examines the validity of this argument via a case study of Jewish-Israelis’ fandom tendencies during the 2014 World Cup. A survey conducted during the World Cup games among a representative sample of the Jewish-Israeli population revealed that the Dutch team, whose popularity in Israel has been attributed to the Netherland’s perceived support of Jews during the Holocaust, was the most supported team. The teams most rooted against were Iran, Germany, and Algeria, indicating the potential role of the Holocaust and contemporary Jewish-Islamic relations on fandom tendencies. To better understand the animosity towards the German team, which is surprising in light of current improved Israel-Germany relations and the strength of the German team, we analyzed user comments on Israel’s main online newspaper following the German team’s glorious 7-1 victory against Brazil. The analysis revealed that 51 of the 287 user comments made direct or indirect references to the Holocaust, further highlighting the centrality of nationalism in contemporary sport fandom.

Visual Media and Communication: A Conundrum of Gender Disparity in Animated World

Abstract: The verbal and visual mediums play a cardinal role in internalization of gender stereotypes in children. Being an influential form of communication, the media has an indispensable impact on the child's psyche. Besides being a mode of a method of entertainment only for youngsters, it has scholastic and socializing perspectives. Cartoon series as one such visual have provided youngsters with characters displaying behaviors and individual traits that they imbibe and internalize, thereby promoting stereotypical expectations. Gender bias in the cartoons is formulated by the stereotypes which are associated with the roles expected to be performed by a girl or boy. Gender disparity in cartoons reflects women characters as weak or inferior, bound to the household chores and male as strong or superior. Keeping in cue with the aforesaid, the research examines gender disparity prevalent in animated world and to reveal its adverse impact. The research analyzes two contemporary Indian cartoon series from the perspective of the character’s physical appearance, male/female roles in problem-solving, social roles and behavior.

Social Media Usability among University Student: A Case Study of Jiangsu University - China

Abstract: Social media has now become the pillar among students in seeking for daily information. This research seeks to explain how students spend numerous hours on social media sites at the expense of study time. A multi-stage sampling interview technique was applied and about 550 people were selected from various universities. An online questionnaire survey was used to collect the data. The study revealed that the majority of students used social media for their daily routine. The media include Facebook, WeChat, YouTube, QQ, Weibo. Tables, mean, pie chart and standard deviations were used for the data presentation and analysis. The study revealed that students use social media for their self-pleasure and educational factors. Some also use to engage in cybercrime and discussion of economic activities. It also revealed addicted to social media reduces their time spent on their academic activities. Based on the findings recommendations were also provided that can help provide social media Acts, that can help the designers to provide a measure to also assist the communication commission to help curb the cyber-crime.

Print vs. Online Advertising: Impact on Buying Behavior of Youth

Abstract: The study focuses on comparing print and online advertising with reference to impact on buying behaviour of youth. The study attempts to explore which medium is effective in today’s challenging times and stiff competition faced by small businesses. Each advertising medium has its own set of challenges and limitations. Many brands focus on both print and online medium to diversify their marketing mix. One of the important facts here is the growing usage of online medium by today's youth. A single online advertisement can potentially reach customers in a geographically diversified market. The circulation of newspapers limit the number of youths that print advertisements can reach. The complicated and massive media exposure of youth forces us to think its impact on youth’s mind as consumers. Advertisements must aim to connect with customers and convince them to make a purchase decision. Online users often spend a few less time on a Web page which can make it difficult for an advertisement to grab their attention. Moreover, online users have option of installing ad-blocking software to prevent ads from appearing on websites. Readers may spend several minutes reading each page of a newspaper or magazine, which gives advertisements more time to connect with customers and influence decisions. The study will use survey methodology to find effectiveness of both forms of advertising to find impact on buying behaviour of youth.

Comments on the Digitalization and Digital Divide in the Horn of Africa (HoA), Kenya and Ethiopia: The Media Perspective

Abstract: The aim of this research is to present a broader discursive overview of the state of digitalization and digital divide in some of the Horn of African (HoA) countries with a particular focus on Kenya and Ethiopia, from the media perspective. The research attempted to find out the state or trend of digitalization/media in Africa, and point out examples of digital divide from the perspective of the media. To achieve this, a secondary material review and key informant interviews were conducted with key informants within the digital media ecosystem, including trainers, researchers, journalists, developers and academics from Africa and Europe. These key informant interviews were particularly needed to broach the personal experiences and expertises of the informants. The preliminary findings show that the level of digitalization/media development in the region has made commendable progress in a few countries but is largely at a low level of development, with the Kenyan experience faring better than the Ethiopian. There are many opportunities for and divides between digitalization and digital media development in HoA but given the current state of politico-economic governance in the region, the digital dividerelated challenges look larger than the opportunities. This study offers suggestions on how digitalization and digital divide could be better approached.

Political Advertising in NigeriaâÂÂs 2015 Presidential Election

Abstract: This study, ‘Influence of political advertising in Nigeria’s 2015 Presidential election in Lagos state’ examined the role political advertising played in the said election. The research questions of the study are: did political advertising messages alone influence voting decision of the electorates in the 2015 Presidential election? What other factors, besides political advertising, influenced voting decision in the 2015 Presidential election? What were voters’ perceived intentions of political advertising messages in the 2015 Presidential election? What was the behavior of voters towards political advertising messages in the 2015 Presidential election? Information processing theory of William McGuire was used as the theoretical framework. Survey research method was applied and questionnaire was used as the data collection instrument. Multistage sampling method was adopted and 400 copies of the instrument were distributed in five randomly selected local government areas of Lagos state. However, 396 were returned and four were deemed invalid. Therefore, 392 copies of the questionnaires, representing 98%, were analyzed. The outcome showed that for almost half of the respondents (49%), political advertising was the sole factor that influenced their voting choice. For those who noted that this was not the case, other factors accounted for their choice, and three of these factors led the pack: ethnic considerations, religious beliefs and other considerations. The result also indicates that contrary to what analysis of political advertising studies showed during the said election, voters’ perception of political advertising tilted towards the notion that it was intended to be issue-based rather than manipulative. In general, political advertising was more of a reinforcing stimulus as it acted more to affirm voters’ already held positions than as an agent of voting behavior change.

Journalistic Writing Competencies of AB Communication Students: Basis for Development of Training Manual in Journalism

Abstract: Journalism is one of the most vital courses pursued by students enrolled in the AB Communication program. Hence, this research and developmental study was conducted to determine the competencies of the students in journalism particularly in the areas of editorial, feature, sports, news and headline writing; and, to develop a training manual to address the issues on students’ competencies. This research is employed the Communicative Competency Framework of Canale and Swain in 1987, which brought the study into analyzing the grammatical competencies of the students, specifically in terms of lexico-semantic and syntax; and, their discourse competencies in the areas of content writing and cohesion. Consequently, findings revealed that the AB Communication students have fair ability both in terms of their grammatical and discourse competencies. For this reason, there is a high need of training students in journalistic writing. Moreover, perceptions of the students and industry partners, in terms of the journalistic needs and factors contributing to the development of journalistic competencies were investigated. Results also showed that there is need for students to develop their interest in journalism and as perceived by the industry partners, a need for a sufficient and appropriate instruction, drills, trainings and related pedagogical intervention is a necessitate among AB Communication students to surmount the challenges they encountered vis-a-vis journalistic writing.

Should we Keep this Quiet? Print Media and Child Marriage in Nigeria

Abstract: Child marriage is an issue that has become a scourge to some girl-children in Nigeria. These girls are unaware of the consequences of this act on their health and wellbeing. The Child Rights Act which was passed in Nigeria in 2003 puts the age of marriage at 18 years old, but sometimes in Nigeria girls are married off before their 18th birthday and most times, they are faced with a lot of health challenges which could be curbed through effective information, education and communication. The study examined the print media report of child marriage in Nigeria and looked at the theme of reportage of child marriage in the print media and how the newspapers presented stories about child marriage. The study employed the agenda setting and media framing theories, and content analysed two Nigerian newspapers from 2013 to 2016. The study explored the prominence given to the coverage of child marriage, the dominant themes covered on child marriage and the framing of child marriage by the newspapers. Findings showed that there has not been enough focus on child marriage in Nigeria and that some of the news stories did not explain in details the implications and consequences of child marriage to the Nigerian girl-child. The study therefore recommended that the print media should put more effort in educating the masses on the issue of child marriage.

Nigerian Women, Memories of the Past and Visions of the Future through the Communication Narratives of the Media

Abstract: Nigerian women have come a long way from the precolonial, to the colonial era to the contemporary era. There are great stories that seem not to have been told about Nigerian women. The inability to adequately capture the stories may have been due to inefficient communication and documentation. These stories bring out the essence these of women not only in nation building but as custodians of great legacy in a country with rich cultures and potential. In spite of the great role that women play in this clime, it seems that little or no effort is made to portray, promote and document their role. This paper seeks to look into the narratives surrounding Nigerian women in their journey towards political, social and economic empowerment and the influence of media and communication in aiding women to achieve empowerment in all spheres of their lives, through great memories and projected visions of possible futures. The media are a powerful tool that can be used to assist Nigerian women in asserting their voices so that their stories can be told and documented in an emulative manner. Communication according to scholars like Lasswell, Macquail and Wright informs educates and mobilizes, sensitizes and informs; therefore theories of communication and how they can be used to better the lives of Nigerian women are examined in this paper. The focus here is the use of the media especially radio which is the most widely used medium of women in Nigeria, especially women at the grassroots, to effect communication and change. A review of relevant literature, discussion and recommendations will be made in this paper.

A Theological Approach to the Social Problems Associated with the Use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)

Abstract: Today's world is characterized by the appropriation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in all areas of life. There is much talk of the benefits, but little of the risks of a thoughtless, uncritical and unlimited appropriation of technological advances. Cyberbullying, sexting, nomophobia, cyberdependencies, among others; they are some of the most well-known social problems that affect current generations. Therefore, it is urgent to deepen our knowledge of the problems associated with the use of ICTs and to build from a biblical hermeneutics a theology of technology - cyberteology - that contributes to the formulation of a timely pastoral in this context. The theological approach proposed in this article, takes the advance of other disciplines, but interprets the problems as the manifestation of a technological idolatry - cyberidolatry. To achieve this, biblical principles applied to the technological world are presented, the exegetical model elaborated by Jose Luis Sicre is adapted on the denunciation of the pre-exilic prophets to the secular idolatry and the manifestation of them is observed in the context of some ecclesial communities. It concludes the presence of the problem in the young population and the feasibility of its study from a biblical, theological and pastoral reference framework.

Nigerian University Lecturersâ Socio-Demographics on the Perceived Obstacles to the Use of Mobile Technologies for Research

Abstract: This paper investigated Nigerian university lecturers’ socio-demographics (specialization, academic status and years of teaching and research experience) on perceived obstacles to the use of mobile technologies for research. The study was descriptive of cross sectional survey type using structured questionnaire to collect data from the respondents. A total of 742 respondents were randomly drawn from 13 purposively sampled public universities in the South-west, Nigeria. The research instrument was validated and the reliability index yielded r=0.92 using Cronbach Alpha. 3 research questions and hypotheses were answered and tested respectively. Frequency counts, mean and percentages were used to answer research questions 1, 2 and 3; while hypotheses 1, 2 and 3 were tested using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that obstacles were encountered while using mobile technologies in facilitating research irrespective of lecturers’ area of specialization, academic status and years of teaching experience. Based on these findings, the study therefore recommends among others that Nigerian university administrators should endeavor to provide institutional support, stable electricity, internet facilities and adequate mobile technologies to all lecturers. Also, workshops and seminars should be organized for lecturers on how to use mobile technologies in facilitating effective research.