Covenant Journal of Communication

Participatory Communication Approaches for Family Planning Knowledge and Practices in FCT-Abuja, Nigeria

AUDU Liberty Oseni1, OMALE Gloria Eneh — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

State and non-state actors continue to face challenges in effectively communicating family planning in a way that will enhance understanding, rather than its acceptance, making good practices difficult among men and women. The study objective was to examine the impact of participatory communication on family planning knowledge and practice among men and women in Abaji Central Ward community, Abuja, Nigeria. The study was hinged on participatory communication theory while Focused Group Discussion and Key Informant Interviews were the methods from a population of 127,900. Findings showed that participatory communication facilitates a full understanding of family planning practices among women and men. The study established that participatory communication empowers women and men by enhancing their knowledge and attitude making them accept family planning practice. The study concluded that participatory communication significantly impacts men's and women's understanding of family planning practices. It facilitates a process that enables men and women to be actively involved in a sincere dialogue on family planning practices through a communication process. The study recommended that family planning and other health interventions such as immunisation by the state and non-state actors should deploy and prioritise a participatory communication approaches to achieve success and sustainability.

Awareness, Usage and Perception of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism Practice among Journalists in Kwara State

OLADOSU D. Ismail, OGUNSOLA D. Surajudeen, FOLORUNSHO M. Olutobi — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study was guided by three research objectives which are level of awareness, usage, and perception of artificial intelligence (AI) among journalists in Kwara state. Findings indicate a spectrum of awareness, from early adopters to those within the early majority and late majority categories. This revelation mirrors the Diffusion of Innovations Theory and Technology Acceptance Model, depicting a recognizable pattern of AI adoption within the realm of journalism, with innovators and early adopters leading the way. Findings establishes that AI has infiltrated journalism practice in Kwara state, with journalists leveraging AI tools to streamline tasks and enhance productivity. It was concluded that given the informants' varying knowledge levels, continuous education and training in AI are essential to unlock its full potential in journalism practice It was therefore recommended that, bridging the knowledge gap is imperative, while education and training programmes such as workshops and online courses, should be introduced to equip journalists in Kwara state with a deeper understanding of AI and applicability. Media organizations and professional bodies must initiate awareness campaigns to explain the benefits and potentials of AI for journalists, by informing them of its pivotal role in the future of journalism. Collaborating with technology providers and AI tool developers can assist media organizations in Kwara state to access tailored AI solutions, addressing concerns related to content filtering, accuracy and timeliness. This study not only illuminates the current adoption of AI among journalists, but also provides a roadmap for a more informed, strategic, and effective integration of AI tools into journalism practice in Kwara state.

“I Know it is Fake News But I Share”: Motivations For Deliberate Fake News Sharing Among 20 Young People in Lagos State, Nigeria

ONONIWU Richard Chinedu PhD — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores how young undergraduate students in Nigeria, aged 18-24 years, identify fake news, as well as their motivations for deliberately sharing news they identify as fake. The study employed a qualitative methodology. Data collection involved unstructured interviews with 20 participants who admitted that they engaged with fake news as deliberate sharers. The data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify patterns in fake news detection and dissemination. Findings from the study show that the participants rely on cues such as exaggerated content and distorted images to detect fake news. Contrary to prior research, findings from this study also show that some of the participants deliberately share fake news out of a sense of civic duty, aiming to inform others, while others were mostly motivated by financial gain. This study extends the literature by distinguishing between the behaviours of deliberate fake news sharers and passive consumers. The findings suggest that there is a strategic and deliberate use of exaggeration and social media for misinformation spread among deliberate fake news sharers. In addition, the findings of this study add a fourth construct which is ‘financial gratification’ to the existing 3 major constructs of the Uses and Gratification Theory (UGT).

Negativity Coverage Matters: Media Framing of Intraparty conflicts and opposition in the 2023 Nigerian Presidential Electoral Campaigns

ABUBAKRE I. Fatima — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study is concerned with how negative media framing of intraparty conflicts defined political discourse during the 2023 presidential election campaigns in Nigeria. Analysing front-page stories in The Punch and the Daily Trust newspapers from September 2022 to February 2023, the research showed that conflict-focused reporting dominated campaign coverage. Using a qualitative framing approach, the study looks at the depiction of these conflicts in depth and findings showed that negative media narratives contribute to heightening pre-election tensions. Furthermore, the inflammatory rhetoric and actions of politicians can foist a zero-sum mindset, which in turn produces a polarised political landscape, wherein, sensationalised reporting of internal party disputes overshadow meaningful political debates. To strengthen the country’s democratic process, media organisations and practitioners are enjoined to prioritise policy discussions which promote national cohesion rather than emphasis on political conflicts.