The Journal of Development Communication

The Role of Felt Ambivalence on COVID-19 Vaccination and Information Seeking: Threading the Needle in Risk Communication

2024-07-09T06:27:30+08:00

College-aged youth has the highest vaccination hesitancy among the adult population, the health decisions formed during this transitional period would inform their future parental decisions related to vaccination. Integrating the extant literature on ambivalence and the Risk Perception Attitude Framework (RPA), this project examined the role of felt ambivalence and perceived risk on COVID-19 vaccination attitude and behavior among college-aged young adults. This project used a survey with a sample of college-aged young adults (n = 379). Findings indicated that response efficacy mediated the relationship between risk perception and vaccination intention. Moreover, the influence of risk perception on vaccination intention was serially mediated by perceived vaccine efficacy and felt ambivalence. This study expands the RPA’s efficacy in predicting persuasive outcomes to a new health communication domain. It also lends support for considering ambivalence as a key factor in risk communication, particularly regarding vaccination. Practical implications and limitations have also been outlined.

Perspectives on New Media as an Emergent Threat to Democratic Institutions in India

2024-07-09T06:55:07+08:00

Democracy as a political system of governance is widely accepted as the foundation of a free and progressive society. It is recognized by most international institutions as one of the essential conditions for equitable economic growth and human development in modern times. Communication networks and mass media have always played an important role as the ‘fourth pillar’ of democracy in India. However, there are concerns and apprehensions regarding New media as a vehicle for promoting values of a democratic society. Unlike other forms of media, regulation and monitoring of content, particularly user generated content on the internet is neither feasible nor desirable in the context of freedom of expression. But there are potential harms that an unregulated and diverse medium of communication can cause to a society. This paper highlights the dichotomies, strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to new media technologies in the context of Indian democracy. Using the methodology of conceptual analysis, the paper points out the potential threats posed by new media forms to the functioning of a healthy democracy. The paper proposes a new concept linking the formation of ‘filter bubbles’ and ‘echo chambers’ in the context of social media and presents its implications. It concludes with suggested approaches to using new media to strengthen democracy and advocates media literacy campaigns as one of the effective ways to counter and proposes a few strategies to counter these negative effects.

Evaluating the Gender-Inclusive Uptake of New Media Platforms by Nano and Micro Enterprises in Kano State Nigeria

2024-07-09T07:10:02+08:00

This research sought to evaluate the gender-inclusive adoption and utilisation of new media platforms among Nano and Micro Enterprises in Kano State, Nigeria. Situated within the framework of the Digital Divide Theory, the study employed a quantitative data approach collected through a survey questionnaire from 105 purposefully sampled nano and micro business owners across the state. The study tested a hypothesis regarding the relationship between gender and technology adoption; specifically focusing on various new media platforms such as social media networks, mobile phones, and e-commerce. The data analysis involved a descriptive statistics and cross tabulation methodology with a chi-squared test to determine whether significant gender disparities exist within technology adoption and utilisation patterns. The findings indicate that, contrary to the initial hypothesis, gender does not play a statistically significant role in explaining these disparities. Instead, the analysis uncovers age and educational level as more influential factors in determining technology adoption patterns. Notably, both male and female entrepreneurs in the 26-35 age bracket exhibited a higher propensity for adopting and utilising new media technologies. Moreover, those with a secondary school education level showed more extensive usage across various technology categories. The study's implications extend to the development of strategies for fostering digital inclusion in the region, emphasising the need for policy interventions, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building programs targeting women entrepreneurs.

Gendered News Coverage and Female Parliamentary Candidates in Ghana: A Critical Analysis of Daily Graphic and Ghanaian Times Newspapers

2024-07-09T19:58:27+08:00

This study looked into how female parliamentary candidates fared in the 2016 general election in Ghana. The frequency of media coverage and the prominence accorded to female parliamentary candidates were ascertained through an analysis of the Ghanaian Times and the Daily Graphics. The study also examine the framing of female parliamentary candidates in the reporting of the Ghanaian Times and Daily Graphics. There were 59 publications for the Daily Graphics and 31 for the Ghanaian Times, making it a total of 90 publications. The July 1, 2016–December 7, 2016 editions were used for the study. According to the study, the two newspapers covered parliamentary candidates more frequently overall, although they covered female candidates less frequently. The study also showed that when it came to giving priority to the coverage of female parliamentary candidates during the 2016 parliamentary election, the two national newspapers performed poorly. Of the eight front page articles about parliamentary candidates that the newspapers published, just two of them featured female candidates; the other six featured male candidates. The results showed that, based on the descriptions of female parliamentary candidates in their reporting, the Ghanaian Times and the Daily Graphics both stereotyped the female candidates. The framing theory (Goffman, 1974) etc., serve as the study's foundation. Gender-based Non-Governmental Organizations should create award programs for media outlets and journalists who cover more events that encourage women to enter the political sphere.

Communication, Culture, and the Sexual Behaviours of FSWs and MSM: Incongruence in HIV/AIDS Interventions in Kenya

2024-07-09T23:13:54+08:00

Female sex workers (FSWs) and men who have sex with men (MSM) are categorised among the most-at-risk populations (MARPS) in HIV and AIDS interventions. Because of their risky sexual behaviours, the success of HIV and AIDS interventions targeting these MARPS must be largely hinged on the outcomes of behaviour change programmes. Whereas the behaviour change programmes appear effective in promoting the health, rights and general wellbeing of the key populations, the dilemma arises when the messaging in these programmes is inconsistent with and completely negates the values and norms of the general population. Yet, cultural appropriateness is a central pillar in successful health communication interventions. The present study analysed the messages conveyed by the programmers in a variety of interventions targeting FSWs and MSM in Kisii County in Kenya, and also, the responses to the interventions by the target audience and those of the general population and faith-based organisations. These responses were analysed based on the arguments of the Ethnography of Communication. The programmes were deficient in two critical areas: promoting the achievement of long-term outcomes for the key populations and getting the support of all stakeholders by encouraging respect for the rights, norms and values of the general population.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Listeners towards Community Radio’s Development Programs in New Corella, Davao del Norte, Philippines

2024-07-10T00:41:04+08:00

Despite the assertion that radio is a dying medium due to technological advances, community radio has proven its resilience and relevance as an essential tool for development communication. Launched in 2020, the community FM radio in New Corella, Davao del Norte, has been instrumental in reaching thousands of households with news, entertainment, and developmental initiatives. This program promotes an inclusive, consultative, and participatory approach to local development. Hence, this study investigated the extent of listeners' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding the development programs and examined the influence of demographic factors on these aspects through a descriptive correlational survey. The 252 listeners were surveyed, and the study found significant associations between their educational attainment, employment status, and ethnicity to their knowledge, attitudes, and practices. These findings underscore the importance of considering demographic variables in enhancing community engagement and the effectiveness of community radio initiatives. Strategies were also proposed to improve development programs based on the data findings such as developing inclusive and creative program content for all ages, ethnicities and genders, and producing radio-based education programs.