News on our Finger Tip: A Study of Online News Reading Habits of Undergraduates in South-East, Nigeria

The information age has created many challenges for every profession. In the case of journalism, the introduction of information technology has altered considerably various aspects of the profession. News consumption today is not the same as pre-satellite news when people waited for their morning papers or sat down at an appointed time for the evening news on television, but the reverse is the case. More recently, a growing number of readers, viewers and listeners are going online for their news. The advent of modern digital technologies, especially the growing popularity of social networking on the web, mobile phones, televisions, and other means of entertainment, the reading habit of the general public, especially the students, is on the fall. Reading newspapers is an important part of journalism education. The aim of this study was to examine the level of newspaper reading habits of undergraduate students of mass communication in South-East, Nigeria. Out of a total population of 4365 students, a sample of 368 respondents was studied. The study found that 36.9% respondents moderately read online newspapers and when they do read these newspapers, about 60.8% spend less than one hour reading these newspapers. The study concluded, therefore, that the online news reading habit of mass communication students in South-East, Nigeria is low. It was recommended that students of mass communication should be encouraged to look out for news stories online by reading online newspapers whenever they are on the Internet. KEYWORDS: Online Journalism, News, Reading Habits, Student

Audience Perception and Use of the New Media in Christian Pastoral Communication in Southern Nigeria

This study examined the use of the new media in Christian pastoral communication. The explanatory mixed method formed the design of the study, while the population was on adults between 18 years and above, from the southern part of Nigeria. Using Australian calculator, a sample size of 453 respondents was arrived at. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents from the three existing geopolitical zones in the south. The study used two instruments namely: questionnaire and interview. It was revealed that, to a large extent, 68.9% of the sampled population uses the new media in assessing Christian pastoral messages. Key words: New media, Christian pastoral communication

Influence of Instagram Influencers in Promoting Brand Patronage in Nigeria: A Study of Pepsi Brand

Influencer marketing is an important marketing concept in today's world, and brands are utilising influencers to sell their products due to their large followership on various social media platforms such as Instagram. Hence, the study examined the influence of Pepsi brand Instagram influencers in promoting brand patronage in Nigeria. The study was anchored on technological determinism theory and attitude change theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The survey method was used to gather data from the population of 5,500,000 Instagram followers. A sample size of 385 was arrived at using the Australian sample size calculator. The systematic sampling technique was used. Questionnaire was employed as the instrument for data collection. Findings revealed that, at an average mean of 3.3 (N=380), Instagram users' level of exposure to the Pepsi brand on Instagram large extent is high. The results also revealed that the perception of Instagram users towards the Pepsi brand promoted by Instagram influencers is positive at an average mean of 3.2 (N=380). It was also further revealed that the influence of Instagram influencers makes Instagram users purchase Pepsi products at an average mean of 3.4. The researchers concluded that Instagram users have very high exposure to Pepsi brands promoted by Instagram influencers, and Instagram influencers are very effective in promoting brand patronage. It was recommended, amongst others, that Pepsi manufacturers should continue to engage the services of Instagram influencers to create more awareness for the brand among social media users

Influence of Big Brother Naija 2019 (Pepper Dem) reality TV show on the social life of undergraduate students of Imo State University

This study investigated the influence of Big Brother Naija 2019 (Pepper Dem) reality TV show on the social life of undergraduate students of Imo State University, Owerri. The study was anchored on cultivation theory. The researchers adopted survey research design using questionnaire as instrument of data collection. The total population of the study was 20,000 students. The Taro Yamane's formula was used to arrive at a sample size of 396. A total of 396 copies of questionnaire were distributed to the selected departments in the eleven (11) faculties of the University. The study used the multistage sampling technique in selecting respondents for the study. The findings of this study revealed that BBNaija reality TV show has wide viewership among undergraduate students of Imo State University as 76.2% of the students watch the show in the evenings on daily bases. It also revealed that the students are not negatively influenced by what they watch on the reality show but have been positively influenced, as 72.5% of the students noted that they have been influenced in the areas of living peacefully with their roommates, neighbours and hostel mates. The researchers concluded that undergraduate students of Imo State University are not negatively influenced by BBNaija reality TV show despite their heavy viewership. The study recommended that the subsequent shows should reflect more educational content, indigenous Nigerian cultures and serve as a channel for transporting Nigerian and African culture to the outside world

MEDIA AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS ON BREAST SELF EXAMINATION (BSE): A KAP ANALYSIS

The campaigns on breast self examination is aimed at preventing cases of cancer of the breast. Media campaigns like “know your melon” help to teach women how to detect early lump in the breast. This study was built on theory of planned behaviour. This study employed the survey design which made use of questionnaires to obtain primary data from respondents. The Australian sample size calculator was used to arrive at a sample size of 383 respondents to be studied. The area studied was female residents of Imo state. Findings from the study revealed that greater numbers of the respondents (96.6%) in Owerri municipal were aware of the Breast Self Examination campaigns. It was also revealed that the knowledge level of 92.2% of the respondents on breast self examination was moderate. Further findings indicated that 91.8% of the respondents think it is appropriate to engage in breast self examination. Findings also revealed that 71% of the respondents practiced breast self examination as a result of the awareness campaigns. The study recommended that the campaigns should be maintained so as to achieve a holistic result. It was also recommended that women should engage in constant breast self examination, so as not to be taken unaware by a cancerous lump

International Journal of Research in Arts and Social Sciences

Abstract This paper examines the place of news objectivity in online news reporting. It argues that the Internet is a strong communication avenue in this age of digital communication which allows for an instantaneous posting of news messages online. It maintains that the Internet gives room for journalists to write as much stories as possible and meet the yearnings of the people. The study aims at finding out whether online versions of news stories are objective and to find out the effect of lack of news objectivity on online news reporting. In order to drive home the argument of the study, the social responsibility theory of the media was employed. Using survey research design, the researchers were able to sample the opinions of respondents. It was, however, revealed that most online news stories are not objectively reported. Based on this finding, the researchers recommended that scholars and media professionals should re-examine the whole essence of news objectivity and propose a better definition that can encapsulate the issue of news objectivity or better still re-examine the profession to see if the concept "news objectivity" can be removed from the code of the profession, so as to protect the dignity of journalism. Key words: Internet and objectivity Internet: The Internet is "the vast network of telephone and cable lines and satellite systems designed to link and carry computer information worldwide. It has often been described as information super highway. Objectivity:, Objectivity means absence of personal biases, feelings, influence or opinion in writing news stories as it may apply to reporting" (Ekwueme, 2009: 97)

Benefits, Challenges And Prospects Of Citizen Journalism Practice In Nigeria

Abstract Over the years, journalism practice has been squarely the preserve of professionals in the field of journalism. The professionals in this case are those who have acquired the nitty-gritty of the profession

Knowledge and Attitude Toward Media Campaigns Against Gender-Based Violence Among Nigerian Women in Southeast, Nigeria

This study focuses on knowledge and attitudes toward media campaigns on gender-based violence against women in Southeast, Nigeria. To achieve this, the study examined the level of exposure, cognitive status as well as determinants of attitudes toward gender-based victimization. It was found that social economic facets like academic achievement, religion, cultural factors among others affect attitude toward gender based violence. It was recommended that a clear understanding of the relationship between dominant cultures and suppression of women should inform future campaigns on gender-based violence