JournalTOCs

Communication Cultures in Africa
Number of Followers: 7

This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Online) 2631-5408
Published by Winchester University

[3 journals]

Social Media and Women’s Culture of Silence on Sexual Violence:
Perception of Babcock University’s Female Undergraduates
- Abstract: The study examines the perception of female undergraduates’ about the role of social media in breaking women’s culture of silence on sexual violence. Violence against women is a subject of concern due to its prevalence and the culture of silence associated with it. Involvement of social media groups appears to be changing this trend as women are supported to speak out. The study examines some social media platforms involved in this campaign, how they contribute to knowledge of females and shape their attitude to information on sexual violence on social media as well as their perception of the effectiveness of the social media in the campaign against sexual violence among women. Anchored on two theories - agenda setting and the spiral of silence, the study through a descriptive survey, sampled the perception of 370 female undergraduates of Babcock University. Responses derived from a questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Students were moderately exposed to campaigns on sexual violence (Mean= 3.32, SD=1.49), just as majority have a positive perception of the social media’s role in breaking the culture of silence on sexual violence (x̅= 5.00, SD=0.00). The need to intensify efforts in reaching more females especially those who still have limited knowledge and tend to be silent was underscored. Published on 2020-06-30 00:00:00
Transmedia Storytelling: New Prospects for Addressing Postpartum
Depression on Nigerian Screens
- Abstract: Transmedia storytelling has been instrumental in the massive audience followership of shows like Lord of the Rings (2001) and Sophia’s Diary (2008). Its potentials to promote audience engagement that will break the culture of silence with such serious issues as postpartum depression (PPD) should be explored. Given the popularity of film in the context of study, it is fitting to explore its ability to address such sensitive issues, even in novel ways. This article employs the new media theory as a theoretical framework, and it explores the possibilities that media convergence presents to create new realities, by promoting attitudinal and behavioural changes. This is case study of the Little Drops of Happy (2017) a video film on (PPD) examined the opportunities for screenings and other forms of audience engagement – including promotional events. It assessed the range of media employed in this regard and feedback generated. It is apparent from this that the principles of transmedia storytelling were not fully embraced in promoting knowledge on postpartum depression. Though the potential for transmedia storytelling exists, it was stymied in this context, possibly for fear of losing control of storyline and intellectual property rights. Yet African filmmakers are encouraged to explore the use of this technique further, considering its promise to foster deep engagement with audiences and facilitate effective communication on a wide range of health and social issues. Published on 2020-06-30 00:00:00
Exposure of Hausa Women to Mass Media Messages: Health and Risk Perception
of Cultural Practices affecting Maternal Health in Rural Communities of
Bauchi State, Nigeria
- Abstract: This study aims to determine the exposure of Hausa women in rural areas of Bauchi state to health messages from the Mass Media, with a view to ascertaining if these messages have a bearing on their perception of risk regarding prevalent cultural practices relating to maternal health. A review of the literature indicates that the mass media promote the communication of health messages, and have contributed to health promotion and disease prevention; thus, dissemination of health messages through public education campaigns via the mass media can seek to change the social climate, to encourage healthy behaviours, create awareness, change attitudes, as well as motivate individuals to adopt recommended behaviours, such as lowering risk perceptions. A Focus Group Discussion was used to gather data from women of child-bearing age in the study area. Findings showed that some cultural practices detrimental to maternal health are still prevalent and such practices are mostly not perceived as risky. Also, although women encounter health messages (mostly through radio and posters) that are contextually relevant in addressing problems associated with maternal health, none of these are centred specifically on harmful cultural practices. Based on the aforementioned, it is recommended that relevant authorities concerned with the welfare of women prioritise the dissemination of mass media messages/campaigns that could contribute to the improvement of women’s health, to minimize the problems affecting maternal health. Also, cultural practices that persist in these areas should be researched with a view to ascertaining their strengths, to emphasize the assimilation of the positive aspects into the packaging of mass media messages/campaigns. Published on 2020-06-30 00:00:00
Transnational Neo-Nollywood: Reviewing the Roundtable Event
- Abstract: It was early in the New Year, January 3, 2020, participants had convened in London to review the state of the Nollywood industry and the potentials of the enterprise. Could it be positioned in the UK as a commercially viable transnational cinema' The agenda was set to cover film production by Nigerians in the diaspora, and to identity challenges facing geographically displaced Nigerians in producing and distributing their movies. Participants were to consider and proffer solutions to challenges confronting Nigerian filmmakers, including structural hindrances in financing, (pre/post) production, distribution and exhibition of their productions. That the original idea was proposed by a Nollywood legend, Clarion Chukwura made it fascinating. The event, held at the University College London, was an occasion for dialogue between the professionals and academics. Published on 2020-06-30 00:00:00
Editor's Note
- Abstract: This issue is special, beyond the fact that it is long overdue. It was inspired by the African Women in Media conference held in June 2018, which, in its attention to the cause of African women, focused on the theme of Visibility. Four of the papers in the issue were first presented at the conference and have since been reworked for publication. Much has happened since embarking on that process which makes the issues raised here most timely. The Coronavirus pandemic which has kept people around the world locked down, and threatens to cripple several economies has since happened. It has exposed chinks in the armour of existing safeguards to public health, mental well-being, and the means to engage audiences effectively in many nations. The yawning gaps in these regards have confounded various publics, scholars, and leaders in advanced and developing economies. The issues raised by our authors are therefore timely, coming at a time when there should be heightened attention to required improvements and novel ways to address issues of health and well-being. Published on 2020-06-30 00:00:00
The Problematic Mise En Scène of NeoNollywood
- Abstract: This paper deconstructs the typical mise en scène of neo-Nollywood films. Herein, “neoNollywood” as coined by Nigerian filmmaker, Charles Novia (2012: 124), will be the descriptor for the cinema sphere of the mainstream Nigerian film industry, Nollywood. It will argue that there is a considerable level of illiteracy about cinematic language in neoNollywood productions, and that this troubles its capacity to “tell its stories” to the world articulately. It will submit that this inability stems from a predisposition that seeks to tell a story – being overly reliant on dialogue - rather than to show the story through its mise en scène of audio–visual metaphors, which is the definition of cinema. The conversation will be with core attention to three films: 30 Days in Atlanta (2014), Chief Daddy (2018) and my most recent screenplay, Mugabe (forthcoming), directed by Robert Peters. Each film will be analysed via textual analysis with reference to the theories of dramaturgy and mise en scène. Reflections on my practice as a screenwriter and director will also be invited to the conversation. This paper draws on findings of my doctoral research, which bridge the gap between the scholarship of neo-Nollywood film studies and that of its practice, with core attention to cinematic techniques. Until this research, this gap in Nollywood studies remained unaddressed. Published on 2020-06-30 00:00:00
Gender Issues in Nigerian Newspapers Coverage of Maternal and Child
Healthcare Issues
- Abstract: This study examines emergent gender issues in the analysis of newspaper coverage of maternal and child healthcare (MCH) in Nigeria over a one-year period. MCH is a major challenge in Nigeria as the country is among the highest contributors to maternal and child mortalities globally. Even though this pattern has wider implication to society at large, it may be regarded as being more relevant to women. Premised on gender bias and journalistic norms hypotheses, the study combines content analysis and in-depth interviews (IDI) to determine the dominant gender leading in the newspaper coverage of such a womencentred issue, and underlying reasons for the dominance. The study thus examines the dominant gender of journalists, and other voices projected in the newspaper reports on the issues. It also compares views of male and female health journalists for possible differences of opinion regarding media coverage of MCH. The study finds male dominance amongst journalists and voices quoted in the coverage of MCH issues and related stories, though there was minimal influence of gender in the overall coverage of issues. The study thus deviates from the media gender studies attributing underrepresentation of women in the media to gender bias; noting that gender imbalance is often rooted in journalistic norms pervading media operations. Published on 2020-06-30 00:00:00
Editor's Note
- Abstract: Communication Cultures in Africa (CCA) is the journal from the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria, published by the Winchester University Press. It is set to address, in one space, a wide range of themes from different sectors in the field of media and communication, in recognition of the interconnectedness of much of these topics. This approach is particularly relevant in African contexts, given the social and developmental challenges being addressed. Published on 2018-12-07 00:00:00
Dilemmas and Puzzles of Journalism
- Abstract: Editor’s Note This paper is a transcript of the keynote lecture given by Professor Dennis McQuail at the “Rethinking Media and Journalism Practice” conference hosted by the University of Winchester’s School of Media and Film in 2013. Sadly this could not be published before his passing in June 2017. Still, we are honoured to have these thoughts which offer a definition of journalism, and set out dilemmas that theoreticians and practitioners across global divides may want to reflect upon as they reconsider the subject area. The paper collates several concerns militating against our understanding and practice of journalism and the media into ten dilemmas. Responding to these should keep us busy for a while as we ponder issues identified and questions raised, as we raise our own. Scholars are invited to note and grapple with key concepts, and to consider the mapping sentence offered, and mindful of historical, socio-cultural and economic specificities in their context, appraise existing, or propose fresh models. Media practitioners, especially practising journalists, are invited to augment the submissions from an esteemed observer of their profession (or craft) with their own experiences. This transcript has been edited and condensed slightly for clarity of communication in written form. The editor’s words are set out in square brackets. Published on 2018-12-07 00:00:00
Trends in Advertising and Cultures in Nigeria
- Abstract: This paper tracks the evolution of Advertising in Africa and especially Nigeria. It covers advertising’s journey across African culture and how this negates the widely held belief that advertising began with the establishment of western agencies in the continent. Using a historical review of literature, the paper examines the timelines of communication forms within the context of the evolution and development of advertising. The town crier was the most popular adverting tool and is still being used in the form of hawkers calling out their wares today. This example of oral advertising which has existed in Nigeria long before Western influence, confirms that it has survived alongside the more traditional and foreign but now integrated forms of advertising. It transitioned into the introduction of classified ads with the first newspaper in 1859 – Iwe Iroyin fun awon Yoruba ati Egba” and became recognised with the establishment of the West African Publicity Company in Nigeria in 1928, which went on to become Lintas, one of the major advertising agencies due to the promulgation of the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion (Indigenisation Decree of 1972), which in Nigeria, prevented direct foreign ownership of advertising agencies amongst other ventures. As a result more agencies sprung up to work the opportunities and it led to the establishment of regulatory agencies like the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria in 1973. Creativity has been the main factor for the continuous survival of the industry mentioning great copywriters and business men like Ogilvy, Leo Burnett and Mukoro a veteran who started his career in broadcasting. His ability [and that of other writers] to position consumers in the brand story has accounted for the success of the industry as it employs advertainment to continually push the boundaries of what is possible. Today, the industry which is worth billions employs celebrity advertising to get the attention of its consumers. The industry has come a long way and adverts like Guinness’s “My friend Udeme is a Great man” or Indomie’s “Mama you too good o – Indomie” or even 7up’s “Fido Dido” or Miranda’s “Three Orange Men” will not be forgotten. Published on 2018-12-07 00:00:00