The New Media, the Youth and Renegotiation of Ethnic and Religious Identity in Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-88
Author(s):  
Nelson Obinna Omenugha ◽  
Henry Chigozie Duru
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Religious Identity ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Religious Tolerance ◽  
Religious Groups ◽  
Religious Learning ◽  
Usage Patterns

Abstract Among others, the new media platforms are endowed with the capacity to reach wider targets of different demographic orientation; scattered at different geographical location. They also enable interaction between people; irrespective of location, religious divide and cultural inclination; ultimately for collaboration and socialization. For a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society like Nigeria which has unfortunately endured unending ethno-religious tensions from the onset, this paper attempts to examine the extent by which the new media (particularly the social media) provide the platform for such collaboration and socialization; particularly in removing the boundaries of ideological isolations and exposing young Nigerians to differing ideological worldviews which could help them renegotiate their ethnic and religious identity; moving from bigotry to tolerance? To answer this question, this paper investigated the new media usage patterns of young Nigerians with the view to assessing how much their use habit may have exposed them to this sort of socialization. Situated within the framework of the uses and gratifications theory, the study combined survey and focus group discussion (FGD) methods. A questionnaire was issued to 400 university undergraduates while two FGD sessions were carried out with 6 discussants in each session. Results showed that the Nigerian youths’ use of new media has exposed them to contact with ethnic and religious groups different from theirs, and that new media facilitates cross-ethnic and cross-religious learning as well as ethnic and religious tolerance among the youths. Hypotheses testing showed that the more the youths use the Internet the more they will be exposed to contact with ethnic and religious groups different from theirs and that the more the youths are exposed to online contact with such groups the more they will be tolerant towards them. It was concluded that the Internet could be a strong impetus for identity negotiation and renegotiation given that it affords the space for multicultural interaction and cross-fertilization of ideas, and so could serve as a potent tool for fostering cross-cultural understanding, tolerance and harmony in a multicultural society like Nigeria. The study recommended, among others, that efforts to achieve crossethnic and cross-religious tolerance and harmony in Nigeria shouldexplore the opportunities presented by the new media in this regard. Consequently, policymakers and other concerned institutions should work towards maximizing online cross-cultural contact and learning especially among the youths.

scholarly journals New Media 3.0: Merancang Model Pemberdayaan Komunikasi Politik yang Interaktif

ARISTO ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Anang Sujoko
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
New Media ◽  
Organizational Development ◽  
Focus Group Discussion ◽  
Political Communication ◽  
Community Organization ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Community Organizations ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Youth Community

The use of new media in Indonesia significanty grows, especially among the youth generation. Unfortunately, it does not happen in the youth community organization. This study aims to determine the factors that become obstacles for youth community organizations in managing new media for the benefit of the organization. This research is a mixed method by using survey data collection techniques to identify the level of use of new media in each organization and focus group discussion (FGD) to obtain more in-depth data about the problems that become obstacles in its management. This study succeeded in digging data from 15 youth community organizations in the City of Kediri. This research succeeded in mapping the problems experienced by CSOs in utilizing the internet and its interactive platforms. Based on a survey conducted on 15 CSOs, it was found that the main problem faced was the unavailability of qualified human resources in CSOs that were specifically tasked with managing CSO social media accounts. This is also due to the low awareness of CSOs about the potential of the internet and new media 3.0 to treat their political audience. Furthermore, another obstacle faced is the difficulty in producing content. Based on the focus group discussion conducted to follow up on the results, the researcher concluded the two conditions above because CSOs do not have sufficient awareness and knowledge of the potential of the use of the internet and all its interactive platforms for political communication. The conclusion of this study is that the management of new media for organizations has not been taken seriously because of the low level of awareness of the importance of new media for organizational development. However, the design of the digital storytelling concept in order to create a sanse of belongings for the political audience of each community organization is seen as an alternative management solution after the appointment of manager responsibility.

Religion, New Media, and Digital Culture

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Evolvi
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
New Media ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Digital Culture ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Religious Experiences ◽  
Religious Groups ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks

The study of religion and new media explores how the contemporary proliferation of technological devices and digital culture impacts religious traditions. The progressive mediation of religion through websites, social networks, apps, and digital devices has created new conditions for religious experiences, practices, and beliefs. From the diffusion of internet technologies in the mid-1990s, scholars have individuated four waves to describe the evolution of religion and new media: (a) The first wave (mid-1990s–beginning 2000s) is characterized by enthusiasm for the potential of the Internet and the establishment of the first websites dedicated to religion, such as the Vatican official webpage and chatrooms where Neo-Pagans celebrated online rituals. These may be considered examples of “cyber-religion,” a term that indicates religious activities in the virtual space of the Internet, usually called in this period “cyberspace.” (b) The second wave (the mid-late 2000s) involves the growth of religious online presences, and is characterized by more realistic attitudes on the potentials and consequences of internet use. For example, Muslim, Buddhist, and Jewish virtual sacred buildings have been created on the platform Second Life. At the same time, the virtual congregation Church of Fools attracted both positive reactions and criticism. In this period, scholars often talk about “religion online,” which is the online transposition of activities and narratives of religious groups, and “online religion,” a type of religion that exists mainly because of the increased interconnectivity and visual enhancements of the Internet. (c) The third wave (late 2000–mid-2010s) saw the creation of social network platforms and the proliferation of smartphones. Religious leaders such as the Dalai Lama and the Pope established social network accounts, and smartphone developed apps for reading sacred texts, praying, and performing confessions. This type of religion is usually called “digital religion,” a concept that indicates the progressive blurring of the line between online and offline religiosity. (d) The fourth wave (the late 2010s) includes online religious groups circulating narratives beyond religious institutions, and greater academic attention to elements such as gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, politics. This is the case of veiled Muslim influencers who talk about religion in fashion tutorials, and Russian Orthodox women (Matushki) who use blogs to diffuse patriarchal values. The notion of “digital religion” is employed in this period to explore how religious identities, communities, and authorities change in the internet age. Scholars have approached these four waves through the lens of existing media theoretical frameworks, especially mediation, mediatization, and social shaping of technology, and adapted them to the field of religion and new media. While existing scholarship has often focused on Europe and North America, the study of religion and new media is expected to become increasingly global in scope.

Knowledge Of Cybercrime And Cyber Safety Practices Among Youth: A focus group discussion (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Zobidah Omar ◽  
Krishnapriyaa Kovalan ◽  
Jusang Bolong ◽  
Rusli Abdullah ◽  
Akmar Hayati Ahmad Ghazali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
New Media ◽  
Focus Group Discussion ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Safety Practices ◽  
Cyber Safety

BACKGROUND Focus group discussion is a qualitative approach done to obtain an insight into social issues. This approach aims to gain data from a selected group of individuals rather than a random selection of participants. Youth were chosen as informants in this study because most youths engage with new media, the Internet, and social media compared to other age groups. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this paper is to examine the knowledge of cybercrime and to obtain an understanding of cyber safety practices among youth using a qualitative approach. METHODS A focus group discussion with a total of 20 informants was conducted among youth. These informants were divided into three groups. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS These discussions shows there were few themes of knowledge of cybercrime emerged, such as phishing, cyberbullying, hacking, scam, and forgery; and themes of cyber safety practices, such as software downloading, password usage, privacy setting information sharing, safe online shopping website, safe online banking website, preventing cyberbullying, and cybercrime report agencies have emerged. CONCLUSIONS Most of the youth have a knowledge and understanding on cybercrime and cyber safety. This create awareness among youth and educated them to become a safe Internet user. Further study emphasizing on awareness of youth on the Internet usage will be recommended. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable

scholarly journals СРПСКА ПРАВОСЛАВНА ЦРКВА КАО КОМУНИКАЦИОНИ АГЕНС

TEME ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 1405
Author(s):  
Jasna Ljubinko Parlic Bozovic ◽  
Драгана Божовић
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Orthodox Church ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Printed Books ◽  
Religious Learning ◽  
South Slavs ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Way

Since early childbirth, religion has an important function in the life of every human being. Depending on culture, religious norms and values differently are interpreted and deeply embedded into the members of one society through a process of socialization. The way people practice their religion is changing through history.  The way individuals relate to and practice a religion changes over the course of time. New technologies have influenced on the appearance of new media - the communication channels, which has also affected the very form of the religious message, that is, how it will be designed, communicated and interpreted.Religion was important for acquiring literacy among the South Slavs. Its word was conveyed verbally as well as throughout printed books, magazines and publication. By the further development of technologies or creating electronic media, the religious message has been received a form adapted to the modern communication channels.It can be said in a revolutionary manner that the internet as the last medium changed the way of understanding or perception of religious learning. At the same time, some new issues have been opened, starting from the most banal, will the Internet itself ever serve as a source of the sacred or spiritual, till to the nuances where the inevitability of religious internet existence (Internet-based religion) should not be prejudged, but it is already trying to find the answer to the question of how to maximize the use of internet connectivity for the ever-defined function of religion.The Internet has profoundly shaped our world and has changed our lives.  The global trend of a parallel life in the internet (or using the internet) did not bypass our country. Thus, the institutions of the Serbian Orthodox Church took up their place. Despite the existence of official websites, social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and others, they are considered as an equally nice place for online religious life in Serbia and they are engaged in religious practices.This paper will be an attempt to define a style that will provide a description of the manner in which the Serbian Orthodox Church through the history has adapted its messages to new channels of communication and what form the church word had at the very beginnings of religious self-awareness, its development over time and what is its form in the era of "online self-awareness". Through such a view, the aim of this paper is to show what is the function or role of the Serbian Orthodox Church as an important agent of the information and communication system.

scholarly journals The Effect of New Media on Cross-Cultural Communication Under the Background of “Internet+”

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 130-133
Author(s):  
Ye Chen
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Cultural Communication ◽  
Cross Cultural Communication ◽  
Internet Industry ◽  
Cultural Exchanges ◽  
The World ◽  
Different Cultures

The rapid development of economy in China has brought development opportunities to the internet industry. With the continuous advancement of information technology, new media has also emerged, offering more convenient and efficient ways to the dissemination and exchange of information. At the same time, the spread of new media has become more diversified, being more in line with the current needs of people for browsing information. The cultural exchanges among various ethnic groups in China and even between countries around the world are constantly expanding. Facing the differences in culture, it is necessary to have proper guidance in order to reduce conflicts among different cultures. This article examines the cross-cultural communication effect of new media based on “Internet +” and provides references for cross-cultural communication.

scholarly journals New Media 3.0: Merancang Model Pemberdayaan Komunikasi Politik yang Interaktif

ARISTO ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Anang Sujoko
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
New Media ◽  
Organizational Development ◽  
Focus Group Discussion ◽  
Political Communication ◽  
Community Organization ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Community Organizations ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Youth Community

The use of new media in Indonesia significanty grows, especially among the youth generation. Unfortunately, it does not happen in the youth community organization. This study aims to determine the factors that become obstacles for youth community organizations in managing new media for the benefit of the organization. This research is a mixed method by using survey data collection techniques to identify the level of use of new media in each organization and focus group discussion (FGD) to obtain more in-depth data about the problems that become obstacles in its management. This study succeeded in digging data from 15 youth community organizations in the City of Kediri. This research succeeded in mapping the problems experienced by CSOs in utilizing the internet and its interactive platforms. Based on a survey conducted on 15 CSOs, it was found that the main problem faced was the unavailability of qualified human resources in CSOs that were specifically tasked with managing CSO social media accounts. This is also due to the low awareness of CSOs about the potential of the internet and new media 3.0 to treat their political audience. Furthermore, another obstacle faced is the difficulty in producing content. Based on the focus group discussion conducted to follow up on the results, the researcher concluded the two conditions above because CSOs do not have sufficient awareness and knowledge of the potential of the use of the internet and all its interactive platforms for political communication. The conclusion of this study is that the management of new media for organizations has not been taken seriously because of the low level of awareness of the importance of new media for organizational development. However, the design of the digital storytelling concept in order to create a sanse of belongings for the political audience of each community organization is seen as an alternative management solution after the appointment of manager responsibility.

scholarly journals Relationship Between Religious Stereotypes, Religious Identity and Religious Tolerance

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Religious Identity ◽  
Religious Group ◽  
General Level ◽  
Value Assessment ◽  
Religious Tolerance ◽  
Religious Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Level ◽  
Religious Stereotypes ◽  
Ukrainian Society

The article analyzes the concept of the stereotype of "sectarians" in Ukrainian society. It was shown that emotional and value assessment of "sectarians" is negative: they are disliked, disrespected, and avoided by others. The idea of representatives of non-traditional denominations as those who are actively trying to involve others in their views, meetings, communities, etc., is presented. It is also typical for society to perceive people who belong to non-traditional denominational groups as weak, insecure, dependent on the group leader, and so on. Peculiarities of religious identity and religious tolerance are studied: a fairly high level of religious tolerance in society has been confirmed, but there is a certain declarative identification with religious groups which is reflected, in particular, in the weakness of its manifestations at the behavioral level, in real religious life. It is proved that the general level of religious tolerance among the Orthodox, compared with atheists, is significantly higher: a more tolerant attitude is observed towards all religious groups, including "sectarians". There is also a significant difference in attitudes: Orthodox are more lenient with their "I", respect and value themselves more, while atheists are more critical of themselves. There are negative correlations between attitudes towards "sectarians" and certain characteristics of religious identity, in particular: the stronger the identification with one's religious group and the more a person likes his religious group, the worse the attitude towards "sectarians" is. However, the causal relationship, the real influence on the attitude towards "sectarians" is recorded only in one variable - the general level of religious tolerance: the higher the level of tolerance, the better the attitude towards those who are called "sectarians".

scholarly journals Ethics, methods and diversity in the use of new media

Seminar.net ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yngve Nordkvelle
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
New Media ◽  
Cultural Study ◽  
Digital Storytelling ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
Learning Aids ◽  
Cross Cultural Study ◽  
The University

Yngve NordkvelleThis issue presents six papers covering a wide range of topics. It demonstrates how varied and encompassing the research in these matters are. Our authors this time come from Mexico, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Finland, Norway and the UK. The topics in this issue range from how students use the Internet in such diverse countries as Mexico and Finland, and we also offer an analysis the effect on one computer per students has in Swedish secondary schools. The language used on digital publishing contexts is an important topic covered in a politically inspired article. Three articles have a more methodological interest: two of them are about the ethnographies of communities of learning, and about teachers using videos in their professional development. The last one is about ethical matters, a topic all too seldom covered in publications about new media and Internet. The wider context is the use of digital storytelling with groups of people who need particular protection because they may be more vulnerable, due to a health condition.Pip Hardy is a co-founder of “The Patient Voices Programme” and has since 2003 provided opportunities for new ways of expressing problems related to health through new digital media. Digital Storytelling is a successful method for making people express their ideas and emotions about health matters. Her paper “First do no harm: developing an ethical process of consent and release for digital storytelling in healthcare” explains how the process of caring and protecting participants through the process of producing and sharing their results. The activity of the programme is directed towards health practitioners as well as patients and their families. In her PhD-project at Manchester Metropolitan University, she also elaborates and refines the strategies for the protection of patients rights and ownership to their own stories.The paper describes how that process has been developed and explores the issues that it was designed to address.Catarina Player-Koro and Martin Tallvid both work at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Their paper has the title: “Title One Laptop on Each Desk: Teaching Methods in Technology Rich Classrooms”. Their article takes its point of departure from the main findings from research in four upper secondary schools where one laptop is given each student and reports on a deeper analysis of four classrooms that are part of the empirical study. The theoretical and empirical analysis argues that technology plays a lesser part than the deeper structures of teaching, learning and education, and that change does not happen as easily as those enthusiastic about such initiatives often think.Rune Johan Krumsvik and Lise Øen Jones, both from the University of Bergen, Norway, presents the article called “Digital Learning Aids for Nynorsk Pupils in School: - A Politically Sensitive Area or a Question of a Deeper Scientific Understanding of Learning?“ The paper focuses on the bilingual situation in Norway. The Norwegian language situation is exceptional because the nation has two written standards, Bokmål (majority variety) and Nynorsk (minority variety), and both the Education Act and the Norwegian Directorate of Education require that publishers provide parallel editions of all paper-based and digital learning aids for pupils. In spite of good intentions the reality is that the minority language, is much less provided for on digital platforms. The paper analyses the situation and argues that there is in deed time to think radically and new about the situation.Filitsa Dingyloudi and Jan-Willem Strijbos, both from Ludwig-Maximilians-UniversityMunich, present their paper called “Examining value creation in a community of learning practice: Methodological reflections on story-telling and story-reading”. They claim that despite the abundant research on communities in various shapes and settings, examination of what community members gained from their participation remains an uncertain issue. The paper reports from an experiment where they analyzed stories and the expression of values. They asked two questions: (1) To what extent can the values that the participants originally intended to report be identified as such by the researchers/analysts’ without bias due to the researchers/analysts’ own perspectives? and (2) To what extent does a theoretically-driven pre-defined typology of values confine or enrich the range of possible values that can be identified?Clemens Wieser of the University of Graz, Austria, introduces us to his paper with the title: Technology and ethnography – will it blend? Technological possibilities for fieldwork on transformations of teacher knowledge with videography and video diaries”. Using video to document teachers’ work has been used for decades. This paper describes how teachers may use videos as a sort of «self-technology» to reflect on their own acts in the classroom in order to improve their style and practice of teaching. Videos are also helpful to show how teachers do their planning and preparation in many other settings outside school, and can provide a richer texture for understaning the life of teachers. Wieser explains how teachers who operate with self-technologies may help scaffold the transformation of personal knowledge into practical knowledge.Miguel Santiago of the UniversityofOulu and PirkkoHyvönen, who is affiliated to both UniversityofOuluandUniversityofLapland in Finland, present their joint paper “Website Preferences of Finnish andMexicanUniversityStudents:A Cross-Cultural Study”. The paper offers a cross-cultural study that shows similarities and differences that occur both because of different cultural as well as economical conditions in such different countries as Finland and Mexico. Thestudyexplores how university students use the Internet and whattype of influencethe Internet has onthem in such varying contexts.

The Islamic Integrated Model for Drug Addict Treatment and Rehabilitation on Kratom Use Among Muslim Adolescents: A Case Study in Krabi Province, Thailand

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 479-487
Author(s):  
Sawpheeyah Nima ◽  
◽  
Yupa Somboon
Keyword(s):  
Group Discussion ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Drug Addict ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Program Leaders ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Religious Learning ◽  
Chief Officer ◽  
Islamic Faith

There are several medical drug addict treatment methods used by physicians and other health professionals worldwide. The community-based treatment and care for drug use and dependence have increased in popularity. However, little is known about whether or how Islamic spirituality model could be incorporated into formal treatment in the Muslim community. This study aimed to explore the Islamic integrated model for drug addict treatment and rehabilitation on Kratom use among Muslim adolescents in Krabi Province, Thailand. The focus group discussion and in-depth interview were carried out in chief officer, the staff of treatment service volunteers, program leaders, and families and friends of addicts during October 2017-December 2018. The results revealed that the implementation of integrated Islamic religious learning in the drug therapy session to grow the spiritual religiosity and lower relapse among Muslim youth who were previous kratom addicts. The Islamic faith-based treatment model could be declared the evidence of kratom recovery in community level.

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