JOURNALISTS’ PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE TO SOCIAL MEDIA IMAGE USE DURING THE 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS IN NIGERIA

This study examined journalists’ perception and attitude to social media image use by Scannews and NewsRescue Online media outfits during the 2015 presidential election campaigns in Nigeria. The study objectives centered on the volume of digital image usage, forms, context, intended purpose as well as the implications of displayed images for professional photojournalism. The study is anchored on Consequentialism ethical theory, Kant Deontological ethical theory and Virtue ethical theory. Three research designs namely; Content analysis, Experimental design and Survey method were adopted as procedures that elicited information for the study. Thus, Coding Sheet and Questionnaire were used as instruments for data collection. A sample of 57 photographs and 395 journalists were used. The study found a competitive usage of digital images by NewsRescue (29 images - 51%) and Scannews (28 images, 49%). The study further found the forms of digital image techniques used by Scannews and NewsRescue to include; toning, flatting, changing costumes, cloning and retouching. In addition, images displayed were found to be triggered by corruption, security consciousness of the aspirants and on health ground. Other motivations were driven by experience and competence of the candidates. Findings also show that the contexts of digital image usage by Scannews and NewsResue impede professional virtues of objectivity, accuracy, truthfulness, fairness and balance (r = 842 > P = .000). On the denotation of displayed images, the study found that, images were symbolic of a guy (8.8%), fighter (12.3%), hooligan (17.5%) and of animal (24.6%). The study further found that images were used to infer that the candidate is a saint, competent, dependable, experienced, capable and dangerous. Findings also show that the intended purposes of digital image usage by Scannews and NewsResue impede professional virtues of objectivity, accuracy, truthfulness, fairness and balance. There was significant difference between the intended purpose of digital image displayed and professional journalism practice (t = -3.388 > P = .001; P < .01). This study also found several problems for the utilization of digital images by Scannews and NewsRescue. The study finally established several techniques that conform to journalism professional standards. The research reached a conclusion that, journalism is a profession and every profession has its norms for responsible practice which must be upheld at all times. The study thus, recommends among others that; journalism as a profession is anchored on five key principles of objectivity, accuracy, truthfulness, fairness and balance which must be upheld in all published news photograph; and that news photographers should employ journalism canons as yardstick for ethical decisions regarding the use of photographs

JOURNALISTS’ PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE TO SOCIAL MEDIA IMAGE USE DURING THE 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS IN NIGERIA

This study examined journalists’ perception and attitude to social media image use by Scannews and NewsRescue Online media outfits during the 2015 presidential election campaigns in Nigeria. The study objectives centered on the volume of digital image usage, forms, context, intended purpose as well as the implications of displayed images for professional photojournalism. The study is anchored on Consequentialism ethical theory, Kant Deontological ethical theory and Virtue ethical theory. Three research designs namely; Content analysis, Experimental design and Survey method were adopted as procedures that elicited information for the study. Thus, Coding Sheet and Questionnaire were used as instruments for data collection. A sample of 57 photographs and 395 journalists were used. The study found a competitive usage of digital images by NewsRescue (29 images - 51%) and Scannews (28 images, 49%). The study further found the forms of digital image techniques used by Scannews and NewsRescue to include; toning, flatting, changing costumes, cloning and retouching. In addition, images displayed were found to be triggered by corruption, security consciousness of the aspirants and on health ground. Other motivations were driven by experience and competence of the candidates. Findings also show that the contexts of digital image usage by Scannews and NewsResue impede professional virtues of objectivity, accuracy, truthfulness, fairness and balance (r = 842 > P = .000). On the denotation of displayed images, the study found that, images were symbolic of a guy (8.8%), fighter (12.3%), hooligan (17.5%) and of animal (24.6%). The study further found that images were used to infer that the candidate is a saint, competent, dependable, experienced, capable and dangerous. Findings also show that the intended purposes of digital image usage by Scannews and NewsResue impede professional virtues of objectivity, accuracy, truthfulness, fairness and balance. There was significant difference between the intended purpose of digital image displayed and professional journalism practice (t = -3.388 > P = .001; P < .01). This study also found several problems for the utilization of digital images by Scannews and NewsRescue. The study finally established several techniques that conform to journalism professional standards. The research reached a conclusion that, journalism is a profession and every profession has its norms for responsible practice which must be upheld at all times. The study thus, recommends among others that; journalism as a profession is anchored on five key principles of objectivity, accuracy, truthfulness, fairness and balance which must be upheld in all published news photograph; and that news photographers should employ journalism canons as yardstick for ethical decisions regarding the use of photographs

Theoretical analysis on persuasive communication in advertising and its application in marketing communication

The act of persuasion in advertising and the business world have become one of the most crucial elements in marketing communication. Advertising your business is therefore rooted in the ability of communication experts to come up with messages capable of persuading potential&nbsp; customers and clients to purchase the organization’s products. This implies that, messages that lack persuasion will hit only on deaf ears and the&nbsp; goal not attained. Accordingly, this paper centered on the theoretical analysis on persuasive communication in advertising and how they can be&nbsp; applied in marketing communication. The paper employed secondary data collection method, which is centered on compiled literature and&nbsp; researches relevant to this work. The paper positioned that persuasive communication employs the marketing mix as avenue of reaching potentials&nbsp; customers. The paper was further moored on common persuasive techniques such as plain folk testimonials, hidden fear appeals, social status&nbsp; approach and bandwagon effect. The paper was further anchored on four persuasive theoretical underpinnings that can be applied for effective&nbsp; marketing communication. These include the Persuasion theory, the AIDA model, Elaboration likelihood model and the Fogg Behavioural model.&nbsp; The paper conclude that, arketing communication thrives on persuasion and any advertising&nbsp; message without persuasive elements will yield no result as persuasion is the moving force of marketing communication. Lastly, the paper amongst other points recommends effective use of&nbsp; communication strategy designed to convince consumers, utilization of various media that meet the audience needs and to bridge the knowledge&nbsp; and action&nbsp; gap in the marketing process