Vol 14, No 1 (2022)
All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.
Vol 14, No 1 (2022)
Table of Contents
Articles
Influence of Digital Technologies on Journalism Practice in The Gambia (PDF)
https://doi.org/10.31178/SC.14.1.01
Barikui NNAANE
Abstract: Digital technologies have created tremendous impact on the practice of journalism, Africa inclusive. These technologies have changed the narratives in newsgathering, processing, dissemination, and fact-checking, in addition to the access and use of media content. To this end, the major objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of digital technologies on journalism practice in The Gambia. The research design was survey. While the sampling techniques were simple random and convenience sampling techniques; the research instruments were questionnaire and interview. Two key findings of the research were that digital technologies have engendered convergence and multi-media journalism; and that the Internet, social media, and smart phones have transformed the landscape of journalism in The Gambia. The author recommended, amongst others, that modern journalists must be trained in multi-tasking as result of the challenge thrown up by convergence..
https://doi.org/10.31178/SC.14.1.02
Anișoara PAVELEA, Sabina Ștefana NISIOI
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced not only the global economy, all types of industry and education, but it has changed our everyday life. An affluence of studies investigating the impact of COVID-19 on people’s behaviour, both from a psychological, and from a sociological point of view has been found. Based on a data research of Google searches from December 2018 until December 2020, using Keyword Planner, we were able to analyse the trends of Romanians’ searches related to four categories: travelling, cooking, fitness or food delivery. Our results show that along with mental health, people’s habits when it comes to everyday activities have been significantly impacted since the outbreak of the coronavirus. Personal boundaries were challenged as home become the new office, the new gym, and the new classroom, all in one. Traveling abroad was replaced by staying at home or by tours within the borders of the country, while planes and public transportation were replaced by walking, riding bicycles, scooters or driving personal vehicles. Heading out for groceries or going out for dinner were substituted by a massive interest in cooking at home, shopping online or looking up for food delivery services. Moreso, gyms and churches were no longer an option for sports addicts or for religious citizens during the lockdown phases. As both media and scholars signal, the pandemic has been a curse for most, a blessing for some.
Pandemic Communication: COVID-19 Presentation in Vietnamese Media (PDF)
https://doi.org/10.31178/SC.14.1.03
Tuong-Minh LY-LE
Abstract. During health threats like COVID-19, people always expect accurate information and updates from the mass media. However, the mass media are often criticized for framing and providing biased information. This study examined how COVID-19 information is presented in the Vietnamese media, using content analysis on the COVID-19 news stories collected from three of the largest publications in Vietnam. The findings showed that news about the COVID-19 pandemic in the Vietnamese media is polarized and focused on providing quick updates, cold facts, statistics, and the negative impact of the pandemic, rather than research on treatments, vaccines, or in-depth analysis of the situation. This practice can cause overwhelming, confused, or negative emotions in the public. This is the first study to examine the extent of health-related coverage in Vietnam and to challenge the effectiveness of the media in Vietnam. It is expected to provide both public health authorities and recipients of information (the community) with an understanding of how a health event is presented in the media and how the communication could be improved.
Language Attitudes of the Igbo: A Threat to the Igbo Language (PDF)
https://doi.org/10.31178/SC.14.1.04
Grace O. PREZI
Abstract. Language as a mark of ethnic identity and carrier of culture is very important in human life and therefore needs loyalty of the owners. It is on this note that this paper aims to discuss the language attitudes of the Igbo people which serve as threat to the Igbo language. The primary data for this study are gathered using research instruments like participant observation and interview while the secondary data are from secondary sources like textbooks, signposts and music album. The researcher uses a descriptive model of analysis to show that attitudes of the Igbo constitute a threat to their language. Other findings of this study are as follows: the negative attitudes of the Igbo toward their indigenous language manifest in such forms as spoken, reading, writting and in such area as transfer of the Igbo language to their younger generation. In terms of spoken form, there is preference of English to Igbo as evident in the use of English numeral system and code alternation. In the area of reading textbooks and other materials written in Igbo lack readers as many Igbo people prefer to read textbooks and materials written in English. In terms of writing, many Igbo people go contrary to the Igbo phonotactics. Many Igbo people do not care to transfer the Igbo language to their younger generation. Nigeria government policy on language use, bilingualism, lack of personal interest of the Igbo and incentives are the factors responsible for the negative attitudes. The study also reveals that attitudes of the Igbo have not only led to language shift, but to inconsistency in the writing of some utterances in Igbo as well as low publications in the Igbo language. The rese archer recommends that in order to maintain their ethnic identity, world view, language as well as their culture, Igbo people need to be loyal to their language.