Mitigating Corporate Image Crisis in the Social Media: Focus on some Nigerian Firms

We all live in an entrepreneurial/industrial age just as we live in a digital age. That combination is as challenging, intriguing as it is complex. Corporate organisations have had to grapple with the use of the conventional (old) media to help build their corporate image as well as repair damaged corporate image. However, the advent of the social media makes this challenge more daunting. True, the social media can help bolster a desirable corporate image. They can also generate and escalate corporate image crisis, just as they equally can be deployed to mitigate the effects of corporate image crisis. In this paper, we shall, together examine the following: Corporate image, identity, reputation and brand Corporate crises, types and dimension Forms, advantages, and disadvantages of the social media Managing corporate image crisis in the social media. Before delving into the details of the paper, we need to provide important contexts to understanding the rationale for the topic. Firstly, Pang et al. (2014) see the use of the social media platforms as a two edged sword namely: an effective crisis management tool, and serving as platforms where crises could be triggered. Secondly, the management of corporate identity in the social media context, Kostamo (2013) observes, requires understanding of both the management of corporate identity and management of social media. This is so because social media have altered the consumer’s role from a passive listener to a more active participant, the reason brand owners tell brand stories and re-create the brand by collaborating with the consumers in the social media. Thirdly, Chaher and Spellman (2012), the widespread use of the social media has equal potential to transform corporate agenda. These tools are available for use by directors as much as by disgruntled employees, by consumers both satisfied and aggrieved, by competitors and by share owners in confrontations with the board. Fourthly, the social media are new media technologies which as Pang et al. (2014) say, share at least three defining features: digital, converging, and networked. Digitisation means sharing, accessing, and interfacing multimedia information with other smart devices and users to enable the public to interconnect irrespective of geographical boundaries or time zones. User-generated content leads to increased consumer participation and facilitates the free flow of opinions and the sharing of experiences online. Information and conversations are no longer controlled top-down by governments, mainstream media and organisations. To this end, persons empowered by social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and Blog, are able to confront giant corporations with ease. Fifthly, evidence is growing higher, as Chaher and Chaher (2012) point out, that social media can increase awareness about a company and its products and services, provide opportunities for more targeted marketing, help gain ideas for new business opportunities, improve communication with partners in the supply chain and help companies learn how existing and potential customers perceive the company’s brand and reputation

Political Advertising and Electioneering in Nigeria: An Analysis of 2015 General Election Newspaper Advertisements

This is content analysis of political advertising during Nigeria’s 2015 general election with a view to ascertaining the following: The extent to which the ads fanned religious sentiments, the scale with which the ads resorted to personal attacks, the level to which the ads employed ethnic/tribal/regional/tendencies, the degree to which the ads adopted hate messages, the magnitude to which the ads embraced issue-based approaches to the campaign and finally, the scope to which the ad copies complied to the APCON code on political advertising. The ad copy constituted the unit of analysis while the period of study covered January to March, 2015. Two newspapers namely: The Guardian and The Punch were studied giving off a total of 240 issues. A census sampling procedure was undertaken while the major parameter for coding was the frequency of occurrence of the identified categorisation scheme. The results of the study showed that 63% of the ads dealt with non-issues. Regarding issue-based ads, socio-cultural issues constituted the majority. Of the non-issues analysed in the study, neutral (celebratory) messages were as high as 44.42% while personal attack ads amounted to 41.04%. However, religious, ethnic and sectional sentiments and violent/hate messages occurred at 6.23%, 3.89% and 1.82% respectively. The conclusion of the study is that political advertising in the two Nigerian newspapers was largely non-issue based and still some marks off compliance with APCON code on political advertising. These findings have serious implications for journalism and political advertising practice in Nigeria necessitating the recommendations made herein

Gender Communication: African Universities and the Empowerment of Women for Leadership

The history of missing, invisible, marginalised and violated women is long in Africa including Nigeria. However, there is no country in the world where women have achieved full equality, thus this paper examines gender issues through gender communication as well as gender disparities in higher education. In addition, the paper examines Africa, gender gaps and the role of universities in narrowing these gaps. Specific recommendations are made in the area of facilitating women’s growth and equality as well as creating awareness that promotes young women academics on a more sustainable basis. Keywords: Gender Communication; Marginalisation; Discrimination; Empowerment; and Leadership

E-Health Applications in Healthcare Delivery: Lessons for Africa

Recent developments in digital technology have revolutionised the modes and patterns in which we communicate, collaborate and share information. It has advanced with years, and has changed the way we purchase products, the way we live, the way we travel, the way we learn and the way we receive medical attention or treatment, etc. In the healthcare sector, technological advances have expanded rapidly over the years to a point where consumers and patients are directly reached through information and communication technologies. In this article, we examine how the healthcare systems in Africa can be developed from an e-health perspective. Facts gathered show that digital health technologies can help boost the development of this sector in Africa by providing the needed assistance required in a sector that is in dire need of manpower and equipment. Consequently, it is recommended that there should be promotion of national, political commitment and awareness of e-health and the mobilisation of financial resources for e-health development in Africa. Keywords: Digital Health, Development, Developing Countries

Science, Nano-Science and Nano-Technology Content in Nigeria’s Elite and Popular Press: Focus on Framing and Socio-political Involvement

In Nigeria, there appears to be a gross paucity of research data on press framing of science. Moreover, we do not know how the print media frame nano-science and nano-technology which tend to hold some promise for Third World development. Neither do we know the extent of social inclusion nor the depth of political engagement in the communication of science and technology in the Nigerian press. This study investigates the extent to which science and nano-science are framed in one elite (The Guardian) and two popular newspapers (Daily Trust and Leadership); and if there is a significant difference in framing. It adopts the content analysis research technique involving a selection of newspapers between January 1 and December 31, 2012: the year Nigeria revised its Science and Technology Policy. Results indicate that: there is a near absence of nano-science content in the analysed papers while the coverage of other science issues abounds. Where it occurs at all, nano-science is framed as an emerging field. Frames dealing with risk/controversy, socio-economic implications, or safety/ethics rarely occur. Health/medicine, ICT, biotechnology, and high-tech issues are covered more than other science issues. Political actors, lay people, NGOs, corporations and community leaders are not significantly included in the coverage as are science publishers, scientists, the media, and government agencies. These findings have several implications for science journalism practice and development in Nigeria. Keywords: Techno-science, media coverage, content analysi

Techno-Scientific Temper of Three Nigerian Newspapers

The culture of science and science communication in Nigeria are deemed as fragile compelling researchers to interrogate how, say newspapers contribute to creating awareness and knowledge of techno-science matters. Research data on this is scanty in Nigeria thus necessitating this study which examines the character and extent of techno-science coverage in three select Nigerian newspapers to determine the frequency of coverage, orientation of the reports, genre or formats of reporting, sourcing of information and depth of reportage. The discourse is hinged on the agenda setting theory while the research method is a content analysis of 156 issues of The Guardian, Leadership, and Daily Trust newspapers for the year 2012. The findings show that of the 329 techno-science stories captured in the study, biomedicine was the most frequently reported topic at 26.44%; routine reporting (65.96%) exceeded event-specific reporting (34.04%); the news format (54.71%) was the more common genre of reportage; foreign sourced stories (54.10%) outnumbered locally sourced reports (45.90%) and in terms of depth, 42.25% of the stories were briefs. The study recommends that for the analysed newspapers to set meaningful agenda on techno-science in Nigeria, they need to broaden their scope of coverage beyond biomedicine and the news format of presentation; deepen the discourse/content of techno-science information by becoming more deliberative; consolidate on routine science coverage as well as pay more attention to local sourcing of techno-science information. Keywords: Science Journalism, Content Analysis, Agenda Setting, Africa

Digital Health Technologies and Implications for Developing Country Media and Health Communication

This article examines the relationship that exists among the media, the development of digital health technologies, and the implications of the trend on Africa. Reviewing four articles published on digital health technology-related issues, it is found that media, particularly social media which complement conventional media, tend to be influential in the aspect of digital health. The social communication devices such as mobile phones and tablets PCs enable social networks to promote healthcare through platforms for interaction. Similarly, mobile applications help in offering other medical services. The conventional media hence appear to be useful mainly in creating awareness about such developments. This trend however, is found to be of implication to Africa, particularly Nigeria where the level of development in technology is still low and conventional media coverage of digital health technology appears to be a new ground. Thus, this article recommends to journalists and social media users to intensify the promotion of digital health to enable both health providers and the public harness the potentials of these technologies. Keywords: Digital health technologies, social media, conventional media, e-Health, mHealt

Coverage of Science, Technology, and Innovation by Major Broadcast Networks in Nigeria: an Exploratory Survey

This investigates the nature of reportage accorded Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) matters by the African Independent Television (AIT), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). Science communication research is only beginning to feature in Nigeria as a key aspect of academic inquiry. However, science and technology broadcast has been going on for decades. The study aims at knowing the feedback those broadcast media houses have been receiving from the public about the dissemination of emerging science, technology, and innovation matters as well as the perception by the select broadcast houses of the contributions of Nigeria’s science community to specific areas of national development. The study adopts interviews as the instrument of data collection from senior correspondents directly involved with the selected broadcast houses' coverage and reportage of science, technology, and innovation. The major findings of the research are that not all the broadcast houses have science desks and science correspondents, although all the media houses under study cover STI matters; though in varying degrees and only the NTA has a science correspondent who is a science graduate. Also, the FRCN and NTA provide extensive coverage of STI matters with dedicated programs and segments for STI on their stations and correspondents covering major STI Agencies and the Ministry of Science and Technology Headquarters. It is recommended that broadcast media in the country should show greater commitment to the coverage of STI matters since the majority of audience members depend on the broadcast media for information on all aspects of life. Moreover, a content analysis of news bulletins of the selected broadcast houses and other news media should be conducted to have more data on the coverage of STI matter

Examining Environmental Discourses on Energy Utilisation in Select Nigerian Newspapers

This study examines the extent to which select Nigerian newspapers reflect the different environmental discourses pertaining to the use of clean or unclean energy sources. It undertakes a content analysis of newspaper articles in 156 weekly issues of published energy sections of three major Newspapers in Nigeria: The Guardian, The Punch and The Nation for all of 2013 – the year Nigeria implemented the privatisation of its power (electricity) industry and gearing up for a similar initiative for the petroleum sector. The study hinged on sustainability discourses as well as framing and environmental communication theories. Four approaches underpin it: I. A survey of the occurrence of energy issues in the sample. 2. Examination of the frames in which the sample engages on energy/environmental discourses. 3. Ascertainment of the perceptible voices prevalent in the coverage/discourses of energy issues. 4. Determination of the existence of any divide in the discourse/coverage of energy issues. Based on the findings of the study, the authors conclude that the three analysed newspapers showed a lopsided coverage of energy issues by ignoring or neglecting renewable energy issues while concentrating on oil, gas and electricity industry; depicting energy issue mainly as a business/economic frame, among others and thus contributed little or nothing to the sustainability discourse in Nigeria. Keywords: Renewable Energy, Content Analysis, Sustainabilit

Coverage and Framing of Emerging STI and STEM by Four Major Nigerian Newspapers and Implications for National Development

In Nigeria, there is a gross deficit of empirical research on emerging STI content in the media. This study investigated four prominent newspapers in Nigeria to ascertain the extent to which STEM and emerging STI are covered and framed. We posed the following research questions covering reportage, sourcing, framing, and implications. The methodology involved a content/framing analyses of Daily Trust, Leadership, The Guardian and The Punch. A census sampling of 728 newspaper issues was conducted covering a period of six months spanning between December 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021. The results indicate a near zero coverage of emerging STI in the four dailies. Other results show that of the eight areas of STEM examined, medical/health sciences (48%), agricultural sciences (24%) and ICTs/engineering (19%) received more coverage. Earth/environmental sciences, physical and chemical sciences, marine, space, and mathematical sciences were accorded near zero coverage. On sourcing of STEM stories in the four dailies, 54% was sourced in-house by the journalists, 33% came from national STI institutions, while 13% was obtained from foreign and internet sources. On framing, 42% of STEM stories were framed in terms of health, risk, and safety; 39% in economic and political frame, while academic, environmental, ethical and “other frames scored between 7% and below. The conclusion of the study is that newspaper coverage of emerging STI was near zero reflecting and projecting the dismal status of emerging STI in Nigeria while the coverage and framing of STEM depicted the media agenda of concentration on medical, agricultural, and ICT endeavours to the neglect of others