Journalistic Responsibilities amid Primordial Pressure in Reporting Conflict in Benue State, Nigeria (Published)
Conflict is a dangerous situation but when it is properly managed and reported, it becomes a blessing to the parties experiencing it. This study examined the responsibilities of journalists and the pressure they encounter while reporting conflicts in Benue State of Nigeria. The study adopted qualitative research method with 20 journalists purposefully selected from Radio Benue, Makurdi; NTA Makurdi; Sun Rays FM, Korinya and The Pavilion Newspaper, Makurdi including male and female journalists. Research questions focusing on the purpose of the investigation guided the study. A standardized open-ended interview format was used to collect data. The data collected were analyzed using explanation building model. The result of the research questions showed that the factors that influence journalists, pressure that influence framing of news by journalists, strategies journalists employ in reporting conflicts are many. The study revealed that journalists are contributors of peace building before, during, and after crises. The study recommended among others that journalists should be peace-oriented when reporting conflict especially those of cross-border nature. And journalists can do this by providing a forum for a critical analysis of issues in a conflict through incisive, informed and critical comments from editorialists, columnists, opinion and feature writers among others so as to open up the space for discussion from all fronts which would enlighten the reading public and possibly, the official negotiators in a conflict.
Keywords: Benue, Conflict, Nigeria, State, journalistic responsibilities, primordial pressure
Social Media, COVID-19 ‘Infodemic’ and Public Perception of the Pandemic in South-East Nigeria (Published)
This study investigated how social media infodemic has influenced public perception of COVID-19 in South-east Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Questionnaire served as instrument for data collection. The study was anchored on the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), and the data collected were presented and analysed using chi-square. Results show that majority of the respondents were misinformed about COVID-19 as the result of information overload from social media as the results show significant relationship between COVID-19 infodemic and individual’s attitude to preventive measures of the disease. Traditional media (radio/television) provided a more reliable information on the virus. The study recommends social media education to enhance media literacy and ability to practice individual gatekeeping on social media information among online media consumers.
Nweze, Samuel; Nwafor, Kenneth Adibe; Oboke, David Ogbonnaya; Aneke, Maurine Chika; Nwamba, Jane Irene; Nwafor, Ezinne Comfort; Asogwa, Joel (2018) , Social Media, COVID-19 ‘Infodemic’ and Public Perception of the Pandemic in South-East Nigeria, International Journal of Network and Communication Research, Vol.5, No.2, pp.30-51
Keywords: COVID-19, Nigeria, Social media, South-East, infodemic’ and public perception, pandemic