Patterns of Online Media Exposure among Young People in Anambra State, Nigeria

This study investigated Patterns of online media exposure among young people in Anambra State, Nigeria. The rationale behind the study was to ascertain the ways young people in Anambra State access social media networks and to determine the reasons why they use the various online media platforms. Pegged on the Technological Determinism and the Uses and Gratification theories of the mass media, the study adopted quantitative research design and employed the questionnaire for data collection. The paper used a sample size of two hundred youths purposively drawn from Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi (all major cities in Anambra State) and adopted the percentage method in data analysis. Findings of the study show that many young people in Anambra State expose themselves to online media mainly through the use of their cell phones/handsets/smart phones and laptop/PC and that they use the various online media platforms for academic research purpose, for making and maintaining friendship, for entertainment/amusement and relaxation, chatting and for other purposes. The paper concluded that social networking sites are very useful platforms for interactive communication among young people and recommended more proactive use of online media for better academic attainment of young people. Keywords: Patterns, Online, Media, Exposure, Young, People, Anambra State

Guinness Stout Billboard Advertisement and Gender Representation: Views of Media Practitioners in Anambra State, Nigeria

The study investigates Guinness Stout billboard advertisement (come and drink at the table of men) and gender representation. The study, among other objectives, seeks to: ascertain the extent of gender neutrality of Guinness Stout billboard advertisement and to assess gender discriminatory elements in the advertisement. The constructivism and standpoint theories were used as theoretical framework for the study.  Quantitative research method was adopted while the questionnaire was used as an instrument of data collection. The findings show that media practitioners in Anambra state are very much exposed to the Guinness Stout billboard advertisement. Findings further show that their exposure is predicated on the many billboards of the advertisement hoisted in several areas in the major towns and cities in Anambra State, in particular and Nigeria, in general. Findings also show that Guinness Stout advertisement is not gender neutral as the advertisement discriminates against the female gender. The findings further show that the gender discriminatory elements inherent in the Guinness Stout advertisement could be found in the choice of words of the advertisement, the images used in the advertisement and the presentation of the product. Based on the findings, the paper therefore concludes that the Guinness Stout advertisement is not neutral, but gender bias; the advertisement discriminates and marginalises the female gender. The paper therefore, among others, recommends that Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) should always ensure that advertisement approved for public consumption in Nigeria uses gender sensitive images and words, particularly in billboard advertisements. Keywords: Guinness Stout, Billboard, Advertisement, Media, Practitioners and Anambra State

Public and Private Media Reportage of Free and Fair Elections: Views of Media Audience in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Free and fair election is a cherished feature, a universally acceptable and an intrinsically inseparable characteristic of democracy. Reporting election in unbiased, truthful and factual terms is an important role of the press globally. However, at present, in most African countries that have embraced democracy, such as Nigeria, this feature has not been attained. This comparative study of government and private owned media reportage of election in Nigeria aimed at ascertaining the section of the media that pay more attention to issues of free and fair polls. The survey utilised questionnaire to collect data from 300 media audiences in triangulation with interview of select media professionals in Anambra State. It adopted purposive sampling procedure. The paper was anchored on the Social Responsibility and the Agenda-setting theories of mass communication. The study used the percentage method in data analysis. Findings of the study show, among others that privately owned media report free and fair elections, no matter who it favours while government owned media rarely report such issues except where such report favours the government. Based on the findings, the paper recommended that the media owned by government should be more proactive in reporting electoral fairness at all times. Keywords: Free, Fair, Elections, Nigeria, Reporting, Media, Government, Private, Audience and Views

A Study of HIV/AIDS Media Campaigns and Knowledge of High Risk Factors among Sex Workers in South-South Nigeria

The study investigates HIV/AIDS media campaigns and knowledge of high risk factors among sex workers in South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria. The main purpose of the study is to ascertain whether the numerous media campaigns on HIV/AIDS have positive influence on sex workers’ attitude towards the high risk factors of the pandemic.  In pursuance of this objective, the following questions were formulated to provide the needed guide to the study: Do media campaign messages on HIV/AIDS have a positive influence on respondents’ attitude towards penetrative sexual intercourse? Do respondents maintain consistent condom use with paying and non-paying clients? Would respondents shun sex without condom, irrespective of the amount the client would be willing to pay for it? Would respondents be willing to quit sex work knowing that it constitutes high risk behaviour of HIV/AIDS? Anchored on the agenda-setting theory and the standpoint theory, the work adopted survey method and utilised questionnaire as instrument of data collection. The sample size was 300 sex workers drawn purposively from three cities in South-South Nigeria, namely: Asaba, Port-Harcourt and Uyo. Findings of the study revealed that sex workers still engage in high risk behaviour of the scourge. The study, therefore, concluded that media campaigns on HIV/AIDS have not been effective on sex workers in the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria. The paper recommends re-structuring of campaign strategies in order to make them more effective. Keywords: Sex Workers, HIV/AIDS, Media Campaigns, Knowledge and High Risk Factors

UTILISATION OF AESTHETICS IN TELEVISION ADVERTISING

ABSTRACT The paper set out to examine the relevance of aesthetics in television advertising

Analysis of the Diffusion of Information and Communication Technologies among Rural Nigerian Women

Abstract Regional initiative such as Africa Information Society Initiative (AISI) and some other related societies have all tried to encourage the building of Africa's information and communicatio