Covenant Journal of Communication

News culture and routinisation of production processes in Vanguard newspapers

IBUOT, Udo P. (PhD) Udo — 2024-08-23

News production goes beyond the routine of accessing, selecting, processing and interpreting events considered as newsworthy. It involves consequences of journalistic practices that are capable of influencing the professional culture, knowledge and expectations of the given medium. Though news production processes may be influenced by the editorial policy of a newspaper organisation, they should be managed away from slanting which involves omission, differential placement or even burying of anti-policy stories in inside pages. The study is an exploratory attempt that is designed on the methodology of participant observation or ethnography, and constitutes part of the author’s work experience in the editorial and news production desks of Vanguard newspapers spanning 26 years. Its theoretical underpinnings are the gatekeeping and the agenda setting theory of communication. The paper examines the routine news culture and production processes in Vanguard Media Limited, publishers of one of Nigeria’s leading national daily and weekly newspapers in Lagos. Results of these routine processes include balanced and in-depth reporting of events by the newspaper establishment.

Social Media Framing of Domestic Violence Against Men in Nigeria: A Review of Literature

Ogochi Ajaegbu — 2024-08-22

It is no gainsaying that domestic violence happens to both men and women as it knows no boundaries to race, educational level, or ethnicity. It is a general problem that has matured from a social issue to a public health concern. However, there has been much focus on domestic violence against women while little has been done on women who are perpetrators. Given that there are only a few research on the reportage and framing of domestic violence against men, this study assesses social media framing of domestic violence against men in Nigeria. Anchored on the agenda setting and media framing theories, this paper adopts a qualitative research design, using document review and library research as data collection methods to generate secondary data. These data were purposively sampled from published works from 2015 to 2023 to provide information-rich data in line with the study. Findings reveal that social media coverage is arguably the most effective route through which the disturbing acts of domestic violence can be made known to society, as media reportage of domestic violence serves as a voice for victims. The paper concludes that very few crimes were reported where men are victims of domestic abuse and even fewer of such cases were highlighted in the media. It then recommends the need for more social media reportage of domestic violence against men in order to shape the public’s opinion.

Bolstering Worship Behavior of Nigerians through the Engagement of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Pre and Post Covid-19 Pandemic

Dr Tolulope Kayode-adedeji — 2024-06-29

This study investigates the role of Information Communication Technology in worship behaviour, spiritual connectivity and development pre and post Covid-19 Lockdown. The study examined the opinion of 568 Nigerian respondents, using a questionnaire. Whilst noting through results that most religious people had to depend on the use of several Information Communication Technology devices and available applications to engage in worship of their God, this new art of worship, during the Covid-19 lockdown, has made the art of worshipping their God not only more convenient but provides a new and interesting way of engaging in religious activities. Consequently, respondents strongly believe that Information Communication Technology has helped improve their spirituality and provided understanding that their God can be presented anywhere, as worshippers only need to be connected with their hearts. The result emphasized the irrelevance of hypocrisy and the need for creativity in the use of Information Communication Technology.

The Nollywood Film, Lockdown and Its Effects in Nigeria’s Drive for Risk Communication during a Time of Pandemic

EMWINROMWANKHOE, Osakpolor — 2024-05-01

The study was carried out to ascertain the effects of Lockdown (2021) in Nigeria’s drive for risk communication during a time of pandemic. Anchored on the health belief model, the researcher adopted the qualitative research method and deployed the Processual
Model developed by Song and Fergnani to content analyse the film’s narrative. It was found that the film makes significant efforts at
enlightening audiences within its diegetic and audiential universes on the symptoms and risks associated with being exposed to the
Holo virus, an archetype of the Covid-19. Findings further showed that while salient steps such as the tracing of contacts and
concomitant isolation were underscored, the causes of the virus as well other preventive measures such as the regular washing of hands and social distancing were downplayed. The blatant secrecy surrounding the actions of the policemen and their needless use of force are also considered major drawbacks in the film’s risk communication endeavour. Based on the findings, the researcher concludes that Lockdown makes an average attempt in its exploration of Nigeria’s risk communication during a time of pandemic and recommends, amongst others, that the Nigerian Government at all level should ensure that all aspects of a disease – causes, symptoms and preventive measures – are interpolated into every form of risk communication during a time of pandemic.

Radio Sensitization of Farmers towards the Production of Genetically Modified Foods (GMFs) in Lokoja, Nigeria

Mbazu, C. Emmanuel — 2024-06-28

It is no gainsaying that radio bridges the gap between the rural dwellers and the city dwellers in every society. It also acts as an intermediary between development facilitators and the beneficiaries, especially in the area of agriculture. However, it appears that no study has been conducted to investigate the level of farmers’ sensitization on radio towards the production of genetically modified foods in Lokoja, hence this present study assesses radio sensitization of farmers towards the production of genetically modified foods in Lokoja, Nigeria. It assessed the level of exposure of farmers to GMF programmes on radio in Kogi State. The study is anchored on the Media Dependency Theory and Elaborative Likelihood Model. Survey research design was employed. Three hundred and eighty copies of questionnaire were distributed, retrieved and analysed. Multistage sampling technique was employed. Instruments used were questionnaire and interview guide. It was found out that farmers in Lokoja of Kogi State are exposed to information on Genetically Modified Foods on radio through Grace FM agricultural programme. They considered such information as not comprehensive enough, even though they attested becoming aware of GMFs via the programme. The study recommends that agricultural stakeholders should harness the potency of radio to inform, educate and enlighten farmers about new ideas as it relates to all areas of agriculture.

A 30-Minute Video Documentary on COVID-19 Pandemic and Teaching-Learning Effectiveness in Selected Universities in Kwara State, Nigeria

ARUWA Joel Eleojo — 2024-06-29

COVID-19 Pandemic posed significant challenges on education especially in a developing country such as Nigeria; schools without the necessary facilities to take online classes suffered greatly. This dissertation was based on COVID-19 pandemic: its impacts on education through the use of television documentary. The general objective of this study is to find out the impact of COVID-19 on education particularly the secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Diffusion of innovation theory as well as social cognitive theory were adopted in this study. This documentary serves as an eye opener to the menace in the public institution and the efforts of the private institution regarding online teaching and learning. Therefore, government at all levels should as a matter of concern work together to boost education in Nigeria for a better human development, it is also recommended that government should improve on the budget for education sector, ensure that, it is channeled through the right source for effective development while making sure that computer based centre are built across all schools with close monitoring and proper maintenance. University Students at all levels should be encouraged to embrace the online form of learning.