THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FRAMING ON AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF ENDSARS AGENDA PROTEST

In 2017, the #ENDSARS hashtag began trending across social media platforms, calling for a scrap of a police unit Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Nigerians complained about the activities of SARS that include extortion, extra-judicial killing, and harassment, among others. The Nigerian government and Police authorities promised to overhaul the SARS activities despite calls to scrap the police unit. On October 3rd 2020, a video went viral across social media platforms how police officers suspected SARS officers shot a young man and took his Lexus car away. Social media influencers organized the protest and like wildfire, it spread across the country. Based on this, the research is structured to ascertain respondents’ level of exposure to social media framing on EndSARS protest, to determine if social media framing on EndSARS protest motivated the youths, to find out if social media framing contributed to protests across the country. No doubt, the internet and social media have changed the narrative of organizing protests across the globe and Nigeria in particular. Anchored on three theories namely, framing theory, social category theory, and technology determinism theory. Survey research method was adopted for the study and copies of the questionnaire were distributed online with help of Google forms. Findings revealed that respondents were exposed to social media framing on EndSARS agenda and social media framing contributed to country’s protest across the country. The study recommends, among others, that government should always investigate reports about its agencies and take proper action to forestall any protest in the future.

CONTENT ANALYSIS OF COVID-19 MESSAGES ON SELECT WHATSAPP GROUPS: A NIGERIAN PERSPECTIVE

This study examined novel coronavirus (COVID-19) messages on select Nigeria-based WhatsApp groups. Viewed through the lens of the Rumour Theory, the study applied content analysis and social semiotics (multimodal discourse analysis) methods. Data were elicited from three purposively selected WhatsApp groups, using the constructed and continuous weeks approach. The sample covered 6 weeks (42 days), spread across March, April, and May 2020. Findings from the content analysis showed that texts, comments, and linked message on COVID-19, had the highest frequency. The frequency of messages peaked in March and steeply tapered downwards in April and May 2020. The multimodal discourse analysis demonstrated a preponderance of messages about vaccines, treatment, prevention, lockdown, and conspiracy theories. A significant number of COVID-19 messages were based on rumours and misinformation from spurious sources, with a few from credible sources. The study recommended that to help flatten the misinformation curve, timely, unambiguous and accurate COVID-19 information should be provided from official sources.

SITUATING THE CNN EFFECT IN NIGERIAN CONTEXT: ANALYSING IMPACT ON DIPLOMACY AND LOCAL TELEVISION

Scholars believe that the global media of television influence foreign policy-making through a presentation of compelling images of events happening. It is termed the CNN effect or factor. However, the extent of this effect is not yet determined especially on Nigeria foreign policy and local television. The CNN Effect stands on the agenda-setting theory. The factor implies that the global television goes further to tell policymakers what it should think, what to think about, how to think about what they think, and what to do with what they think and think about. This study is carried out through analysis of secondary data and observation of global and local televisions. Beside already observed effects of global television on foreign policymaking such as making decisions in haste without proper considerations and sideling of diplomatic protocols, the study found some side effects of the influence of global media; one of which is that global television force policymakers to be unduly attached to them (global television). The greater revelation from the CNN effect is not on Nigeria’s foreign policy but on local television industry where the local television loses audience, credibility and revenue to global television. The study recommends better funding and training for local television.

INVESTIGATING INFORMATION USEFULNESS OF YOUTUBE AMONG SELECT UNIZIK STUDENTS

The prevalence of YouTube has overwhelmingly expanded globally following its advent in 2005. Globally, opinions differ as to whether YouTube is a very useful information and knowledge source. The potentialities of YouTube offer a participatory, informational and knowledge-filled platform. Despite these potentials, research shows that YouTube in Nigeria does not yet enjoy much patronage. The study was aimed at determining the perceptions of Unizik students towards information usefulness of YouTube. It sought to find out among others the extent of YouTube use among the students and was anchored on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) which posits that users will be willing to make use of a new technology if they find it useful and easy to use. The research design was survey and questionnaire served as the measuring instrument. Data were analysed using frequency tables and pie charts. The study found out that 75 percent of students use YouTube to a large extent amidst its challenges and that and that they had positive perceptions towards YouTube as a useful and significant source of information and knowledge. The researchers recommend that government should subsidize the cost of data for accessing the site since the respondents saw it as a major challenge. Also, more research is recommended to find more ways of combating other disclosed challenges such as unavailability of internet connectivity, poor patronage as content creators etc in YouTube use so as to avail students the opportunities of harnessing the potentials YouTube offers.

ASSESSMENT OF NEWSAPERS PATTERN OF REPORTAGE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY ISSUE IN NIGERIA

The issue of public accountability no doubt remains an important factor in both private and public spheres of Nigerian society. It has not only generated much controversy but has been pointed out as one of the factors in Nigeria’s twisted political and economic development. As with other social values, the extent public accountability is realised in a society may depend a lot on how much the media put it in public agenda. Therefore, this study investigates how Nigerian newspapers have covered public accountability issues in the last six months of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Situated within the agenda setting theory, the researchers adopted content analysis as their study design sample of 48 editions of The Guardian and Daily Trust (24 editions) were selected. Analysis was quantitative using simple percentages. Findings showed that Nigerian newspapers gave frequent coverage to public accountability-related issues and that they gave prominence to these issues. It was also established that the newspapers did not give depth to most of their reports on public accountability-related issues and that the papers were more reactive than pre-emptive in their coverage of such issues. The study concluded that there is still need for improvement in the press coverage of issues of public accountability, particularly by placing more importance on investigative journalism in approaching such sensitive reportage.

INFLUENCE OF ANAMBRA BROADCASTING SERVICE SLOGAN “DOBE ANAMBRA OCHA” ON AWKA RESIDENTS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION

This study entitled Influence of Anambra Broadcasting Service Slogan “Dobe Anambra Ocha” on Awka Residents’ Attitude towards Environmental Sanitation investigatedwhether residents of Awka Metropolishas answered the clarion call contained in the slogan meant to sensitise them to keep their environment clean at all times. Specific objectives of the study among others are to: assess respondents’ frequency of exposure to ABS slogan “Dobe Anambra Ocha;” ascertain whether the ABS slogan “Dobe Anambra Ocha” is effective in sensitizing the residents about environmental sanitation; find out the respondents’ attitude towards the ABS slogan “Dobe Anambra Ocha;” determine whether the ABS slogan “Dobe Anambra Ocha” has helped residents in maintaining good environmental sanitation. The study was anchored on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). The survey research design was used in carrying out the study. A sample size of 399 was selected from the population of Awka Metropolis using the Taro Yamani’s sample size determination formula. The questionnaire was the instrument used in collecting data for the study. Data generated from the study were presented in statistical table with frequency and simple percentage used in analyzing the data. Results of the analysis showed among others that: 74.9 percent of the respondents had very good exposure to the ABS slogan “Dobe Anambra Ocha”, 73.6 percent attested to the effectiveness of the slogan in sensitizing the residents to keep their environment clean at all times, the respondents had a very positive attitude towards the ABS slogan “Dobe Anambra Ocha”. The study recommended among others that: Credible information is required to attract the needed response in a radio health campaign, such as with the ABS slogan “Dobe Anambra Ocha.” Messages aired continually and consistently can reach many or more persons and are capable of changing the attitude of the residents to comply with safety measures as required. It means that programming/slogan is of essence in order to reach the intended target audience with the required and relevant message. ABS should intensify the campaign/slogan to ensure that the remaining audiences who still have negative attitude towards “Dobe Anambra Ocha” heed the message to keep their environment clean.

DIGITAL MEDIA AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ON HEALTH RISKS OF SMOKING AMONG DRIVERS IN ANAMBRA STATE

Smoking is the inhalation and exhalation of fumes of burning tobacco and other dangerous nicotine substances that endanger health. It is also a learned behaviour capable of causing addiction. The study examined civic engagement through digital media on health risks of smoking among drivers in Onitsha, Anambra State. The study focused on drivers of registered Mass Transit companies: Eastern Mass Transit and Onitsha South Mass Transit. The study was anchored on two theories: grounded theory of smoking decision which explains pre-and-post effects of smoking quitting, and mediatisation theory which examines the long-term structural change in the role of media in culture and society. The study adopted a survey of drivers of select Mass Transit companies in Anambra State. This was to ensure that these drivers were studied in their varying work atmospheres concerning smoking. Findings of the study showed that drivers of both companies make effective use of digital media for information on the dangers of smoking while driving and erring drivers are adequately penalised. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that media messages on the dangers of smoking tobacco or other dangerous substances on the wheel should be sustained. It equally recommended psychological tests on drivers before recruitment.

INFLUENCE OF CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENT ON CONSUMERS’ BUYING DECISION OF A BRAND: A STUDY OF GLOBACOM TELECOMMUNICATION NIGERIA LIMITED

In this study, we assessed the influence of celebrity endorsement on consumers’buying decision of a brand, with particular reference to Globacom telecommunication Limited.The objectives of this study were to ascertain customers’ perception of the use of celebrity endorsement on Globacom telecommunication; to determine the influence of celebrity endorsement on the buying behaviour of consumers of Globacom; to ascertain whether the use of celebrity endorsement by Globacom telecommunication helps the company to get more subscribers; to know consumers’ preference of Globacom endorsements by celebrities to Globacom endorsements by non-celebrities; and to know if endorsement by celebrity reflects the quality of product or services. Thestudy usedMeaning Transfer Model as the theoretical foundation. The research design used was the mixed method comprisingsurvey and in-dept interview whilethe questionnaire and the interview guidewere the instruments for data collection. The population of the study was Globacom subscribers in Nigeria. The population figure of the study was 54,840,192.A sample size of 400 was got from this figure using Taro Yemani formula. Data collected through questionnaire were analyzed using frequency table and simple percentages while data collected through interview were analyzed thematically. From the findings, consumers perceived that celebrities give a real image of the brand and that celebrity-endorsed products are of good quality. Findings also showed that celebrities have significant influence on buying decisions ofsubscribers.From the finding also, a greater percentage of consumers patronizeGlobacom because their favourite celebrity endorsed it. Based on the findings, the study recommended that Globacom Managers should continue using celebrities for endorsements, especially the celebrities who reflect thereal image of the products they endorse.

NEW COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AS A SOURCE OF WESTERN CULTURAL IMPERIALISM IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF AWKA METROPOLIS IN ANAMBRA STATE

This study aimed at investigating new communication technologies as a source of western cultural imperialism in Nigeria; a study of Awka metropolis in Anambra State. Anchored on the framework of the Social Learning Theory, it delved into investigating the nature and the extent of domination using a survey of 100 respondents from Awka metropolis in Awka South local government area of Anambra State. The study adopted Survey method as the research design .A sample of 100 respondents were selected via the multi-stage approach. Data analysis was quantitative using simple percentages and Pearson’s Chi square test. Findings indicate that residents of Awka metropolis are adequately exposed to these new electronic communication technologies and that these technologies are potential channels for foisting western (and in particular American) culture on the people while possibly eroding the indigenous culture. For this reason, it is recommended among others that Nigeria should adopt protectionism (a system of using legal mechanisms to regulate media content so as to guard against domination) as a means of controlling western cultural imperialism.

PERCEPTION AND HEALTH RISK AWARENESS OF WHITEVERTISED SKINCARE PRODUCTS AMONG WOMEN IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

‘Whitevertised’ skincare products are found in such societies as Nigeria where women show reverence for white skin. They are presented using a plethora of advertisement techniques that can make white skin appear desirable. Anchored on social constructionism and selective perception theory, this study aimed to find out how women in Anambra State perceive these products and their awareness of the health risks they can pose. To achieve these objectives, a quantitative approach involving survey was adopted. Data were collected from a random sample of 400 women. Findings showed that these products are prevalent and are used by most of the respondents to ‘maintain’ their skin colour. The study also showed that the perception towards these products varied with age and educational qualification, and was also shown to be influenced by price, place of origin, scientification, celebrity-endorsements and past experiences. In addition, findings from the study showed that the health risk awareness of the risks these products can pose was low among the younger respondents and the least educated. Based on these findings, this study recommended health awareness campaigns targeted at the young and least educated who were shown in this study as most vulnerable.