Desmond Onyemechi Okocha

Bingham University · Department of Mass Communication

Technology now dictates the speed, direction, and designs of news packaging. The task is no longer how to assemble quality news but how to parcel such news to elicit the best appetite from the audience. From factual narratives in picturesque prose aimed at recreating events in the audience's minds, the latest innovation, 360-degree journalism, is a...

This study examined how Nigerians understood fake news. It took a qualitative approach, conducting in-depth interviews with 30 journalists to determine their understanding of fake news and explore how media literacy can help combat fake news. The sample was purportedly drawn from Nigeria's six geopolitical zones to ensure representativeness. Gateke...

Beyond their abilities to facilitate social gatherings, festivals have been identified as a platform for communicating and transferring social values. This study investigated the role of festivals as a medium of communication among the Ukwuani ethnic nationality of Delta State. It further evaluated the challenges associated with using festivals as...

This research proposes a theory that ameliorates the deficiencies of agenda-setting, two-step flow, and third-person effect theories that are linear in explaining the influence of mass media on their audience. Whereas postmodernism abhors universality because, in reality, different groupings of individuals in different societies receive and respond...

Since the Arab Spring pro-democracy riots and upheavals that shook the Middle East and North African authoritarian regimes in 2010 and 2011 and the EndSARS protest against police brutality in Nigeria in 2020, the debate on the influence of social media in galvanizing youth to action has raged. The research was done to establish how social media has...

Nigeria currently seems to be in a state of moral and ethical crisis. Every segment of the society is affected and it is gradually getting to a point where certain indulgences are beginning to be seen as routine. The manifestation is almost everywhere; and it is more evident in the public service. It is expressed in leadership failings, systemic co...

This study was carried out to determine how fake news affects Nigerian politics and explore reasons for this trend. The chapter used secondary data in the form of scholarly essays, research works and commentaries on fake news in Nigerian politics to examine two notable theories, propaganda and agenda setting. The findings showed that Nigerian polit...

Active citizen participation in governance, openness and prompt provision of adequate information for the public to make informed decisions is crucial for any meaningful development. Unfortunately, governance in Nigeria is shrouded in secrecy, lies, half-truths, gossip, and rumours, which generally negate some of the cardinal precepts of democracy....

This study examines the effectiveness, perceived impacts and challenges of using digital media in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) communication by Abuja Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs). The theoretical framework of the research is anchored on the diffusion of innovation theory and stakeholder theory. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) is utilise...

The research paper aimed at exploring the origins and key concepts of structured-deliberative gossip and political communication by assessing the nature of involvement of government in originating gossip, appraising the use of gossip by government as a probable precursor for policy formulation in Nigeria, discussing the practical considerations inv...

This chapter aims at understanding the roles of media and politics in Africa, how media promote politics in Africa, and the challenges this presents in African states that have either full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes, or authoritarian regimes. It utilizes the development media theory to highlight the role of the media in champio...

There are certain philosophical principles that symbolize legitimacy in democracy. These include freedom of expression and right of assembly. It is an indisputable fact that communication defines democracy. When citizens are silenced against free speech and civic engagement, democracy dies. Communication engenders public participation in governance...

The Nigeria Police Force has been variously accused of highhandedness, brutality, extrajudicial killing and sundry human rights violations against the very citizens they are constitutionally empowered to protect and this has always made Nigerians to respond angrily to these acts of human rights abuses. This study analyzed Twitter (currently known a...

In politics, actions and inactions attract reactions. In most cases, when such reactions generate further reactions, it results in controversial decisions. This happened to the All Progressives Congress in 2022 after the emergence of its presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential election. There was no indication on who the running mate would...

This study examined the intricate relationships among e-governance, democratic principles, and sustainable development in The Gambia. The study adopted a mixed-method research design. The population is 6,644, out of which a sample size (363) was determined using Krejcie and Morgan's (1970) [9] formula. A multistage sampling approach was used, inclu...

The advent of digital technologies has made social movements easier than it used to be. Champions and advocates of people’s rights and wellbeing now have access to more information and can reach wider audiences to share their ideas. Many African states are however, still under authoritarian rule. Such states under authoritarianism tend to brand vib...

Citizen engagement is vital to governance and the development of society. Prior to the age of the Internet and social media platforms, citizens used traditional methods like letters, town hall meetings, representations, and strikes, among others, to engage the government. The government, on the other hand, used traditional media to reach the citize...

Every society has developed a communication system that meets its peculiar needs. These forms of communication are regarded as indigenous and have been part of the people’s culture. Though these communication systems might undergo some adaptions and changes, they have not been completely eroded, irrespective of technological advancement and moderni...

Nollywood - the Nigerian film industry - has evolved over the years to become undoubtedly popular among film industries and audiences across the nations of the world. Traditional movies, such as 'Sango', 'Saworoide', 'Ayinla' and contemporary movies, such as 'Citation'; 'King of Boys', and ''Lion Heart' are testaments of the prominence of Nollywood...

Nigeria, like other countries considered the idea of switching from analogue television broadcasting to digital broadcasting in line with the 2006 task of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to coordinate this movement. From then, other nations have fully complied with the resolutions at the Geneva conference and 2015 deadline for the...

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 mic...

Research has shown that many mass communication graduates have been produced every year in Nigeria. However, only a few of them venture into journalism as a career. Using a quantitative approach, the researcher examined the attitude of undergraduate mass communication students of Bingham University, Nigeria, towards journalism as a career. The popu...

This work focused on examining whether Ethical Corporate Communication has any relationship with business productivity and to what extent this has impacted the Nigerian business environment. The trigger was the observable decline in ethical values in business dealings and the seeming craze for immediate personal benefits and profit margins which ha...

In Nigeria today, most newsrooms are tightening their digital security due of concerns that new spy technologies have exposed journalists to threats of surveillance and digital harassment. The evolution of digital communication technology seems to have become a nightmare for most journalists within developed nations. These concerns affecting journa...

The concept of public relations has gained acceptance all over the world. Goodwill for an organization today is secured not so much as a result of the organizations mere existence but as a result of sustained strategic planning, execution and evaluation of the perception of the their publics in relation to the organization. Nigeria today appears to...

Development is a multidimensional embodiment of progress, which is sometimes qualitative, quantitative or both. It has been an essential ingredient for the growth of societies, nations and continents, but what is equally as important as development itself is the ability to ensure its sustainability. There are misconceptions and gaps in knowledge th...

This study was carried out to evaluate students' perception of the unbundling of communication studies in Nigerian universities. Perception and expectancy theories provided the framework for the study while survey was employed as the research design and a structured questionnaire was used as the research instrument administered on 400 respondents....

This study delves into the power of music as a potent instrument of social change in the Nigerian context. Through an exploration of its role, potential, and challenges, this research aims to shed light on how music can be harnessed to catalyse positive societal transformations. This study is grounded in the Evolution Theory which provides a framew...

Information communication technology has become essential to our survival and fostering our quality of life. However, there is a growing concern that certain groups, particularly those living in the rural areas, are being left behind. In a time where equity and equality are promoted, social inclusion, consisting of various shoots has become eminent...

Information and communication technology has aided the practice of journalism as much as generated concern over an observable growing trend in the deployment of spyware and surveillance technologies around journalists in Africa. This study investigated the integrity of this trend and the level of awareness about this development among journalists o...

Nigeria, like many parts of the world has been experiencing climate change. Various studies show that annual and seasonal timescales indicate a significant positive increase in temperature. Spurring climate action demands the right attitude, and climate journalism potentially provides an outlet for achieving such a goal. Studies have not sufficient...

The disparity between the majority and minority groupings is a reality of all human societies or states. The digital media space has largely democratised the way and speed of communication, narrowing the gap between the majorities and the minorities. This survey study found that minorities, indeed, could have a say. The study objective was to deter...

More than ever, challenges posed by environmental degradation are becoming a grave concern, and everyone must be relevant in addressing the phenomenon. This study examined the extent to which risk communication, an emerging communication field, could be used in rallying Nigerians to imbibe environmentally friendly attitudes to mitigate degradation....

This paper on reflections on the survival of the media in Africa was basically to ascertain how safe the media environment has been in Africa because the Committee to Protect Journalists reported that 49 journalists and media workers have been killed in 2022 in Africa alone. The startling statistics beg the question of why journalists were killed a...

This study examined journalists' knowledge and perception of the ethical challenges of pack journalism and its implication for journalism practice in Nigeria. The paper adopted social responsibility theory which established that media has a duty to serve the public interest by providing accurate and unbiased information, promoting democratic values...

Cognitive abilities support a variety of tasks at work, including data interpretation, team goal retention, meeting attendance, and more. The study examines whether mental stimulation received in the workplace positively affects employees cognitive functioning and the rate of intellectual change. Data taken from the Tranex courier company, Taraus c...

This study examined the use of drone by Nigerian journalists for newsgathering and reporting. Anchored on the Diffusion of Innovation Theory, the study used qualitative research method with structured interview as the instrument for data collection. Fifteen (15) interviewees were purposively selected across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Th...

The advent of technology/internet-enabled media, otherwise known as new media is an effective tool for political communication that has greatly facilitated interaction between politicians and citizens, regardless of their age differences. The efficacy of new media as an agent of political communication in promoting political participation in electi...

Media entrepreneurship is increasing globally by the day; as endless opportunities are readily available to entrepreneurs who take up the new media trade. Nigeria as a nation has been undergoing economic crises since 2015, and the country has been declared the poverty capital of the world. This was compounded by the Covid-19 and the global fall in...

Brown envelope journalism (BEJ) has been a great ethical concern to both the scholars and practitioners of journalism profession all over the world, particularly in Nigeria. The purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature on brown envelope journalism and proffer solution to brown envelope syndrome (BES) in the Nigerian media ecosyste...

Globally, information has been an integral part of any society. Right from the period of Guttenberg’s printing press to this age of advancement in new media technologies, information has remained key to the development of all societies. Today, the explosion in these technologies, especially the social media has made access to information much easie...

As technology becomes an integral part of daily life, understanding parental concerns and developing strategies to ensure children's well-being in the digital realm is of paramount importance. It is against this backdrop that this paper sought to examine parents' perception regarding their children's digital experiences in Abuja, Nigeria. The study...

The massive visibility and exposure being enjoyed by Nollywood has brought about commercial breakthroughs and acceptance within the country and around the world. It has also flashed a floodlight on certain issues bothering the buoyant industry as there are misconceptions and gaps in knowledge that have led to various studies about its form and cont...

There is evidence in the reviewed literature that organizations struggle to formulate and implement their corporate branding strategies. This study focuses on brand management as incorporated in private tertiary educational institutions, most specifically with reference to Bingham University. The study examined the promotional strategy for Bingham...

Populism is one of the most prevalent but misunderstood political ideologies in use today. Understood as an appeal to “the people,” populism should not be dismissed as a pathological form of politics that is uninteresting to political theorists because its democratic pretensions raise significant issues. The chapter which aims to examine populism a...

This research paper on “Digital Authoritarianism in Nigeria: Internet Control Techniques and Censorship” focuses on the suppression of online journalism in the country. Specifically, it examines the measures used by the state to muzzle or censor online journalism and their implications on press freedom enshrined in Section 39 of the 1999 Constituti...

Emerging and disruptive technologies have had indubitable impact on journalism; from the print to radio, to television. The use of artificial intelligence has become a part of the industry’s toolbox. A computer programme, such as Heliograf was able to generate 300 news articles when it was launched to cover the Rio Olympics while Automated Insights...

The watchdog role of journalists is enshrined in Chapter II, Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. It is, therefore, the constitutional role of the mass media to act as a watchdog for good governance by ensuring that government is responsible and accountable to the people. Sadly, several factors inhibit...

The rapid developments in digital technologies and their increased utilization by entrepreneurs especially SMEs has given flue to a digital economy known as digital entrepreneurship. This study investigates how digital entrepreneurship can be engaged to engender sustainable development in Nigeria. The study, premised on the Uses and Gratifications...

The concept of truth used to be absolute and stood as one of the pillars of journalism; and for any society to enjoy a sustainable democracy, one key thing remained vital; information. However, from stories, such as the EndSARS, militancy, school feeding programme and misappropriation of funds, the media in Nigeria have been accused of being used a...

Social media has become the market square for which those who have something to market and those who have a stake in the offerings converge to canvass their thoughts, express their buy-in and remain relevant in business and society. Those who do not find space in the market place either by default or design risk being left behind in the atmosphere...

There is a notion that getting to adopt a new idea no matter the obvious advantages is often difficult and this has played out sometimes in the Nigerian corporate landscape, apparently owing to the dominant orientation of public institutions and the lack of basic and relevant infrastructure. This has contributed to the slow pace of development in t...

Bots on social media platforms is a phenomenon that has become pervasive as the presence and use of digital platforms by netizens. Although statistics is vague on how many bots accounts exist, even more difficult to grapple with is the underlying reason for their existence. Automatic tools have been developed for their detection and elimination, ho...

Since the invention of the first modern unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in providing information, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to war managers, the commercialization of drones has provided various disciplines with an opportunity to put the tech to use in ways that would benefit the industry. Development communication is also quickly becomin...

Since the invention of the first modern unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in providing information, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to war managers, the commercialization of drones has provided various disciplines with an opportunity to put the tech to use in ways that would benefit the industry. Development communication is also quickly becomin...

There are inequalities in global knowledge production in communication outlets, cultural practices, and governance problems. Under this symbiotic relationship, they reinforce the cultural ideas, values, and governance systems operating in the Western countries as an ideal and role model for the Global South countries. Media is regarded as the agent...

Ideas and government policies, whatever they are, are ventilated on step-motherly ration and fanned as ‘gossip', sometimes, to test their popularity or otherwise before they are implemented. Employing deduction from observation, and using longitudinal approach and literature, findings of this investigation reveal that governments in the Global Sout...

Around the world, cartoons are a popular journalistic genre used in the mimical portrayal of rather severe political and socioeconomic issues. The purpose of this study is to examine political cartoons on Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT), especially regarding his intention to be the President of Nigeria in 2023. This qualitative and descriptive study relied...

This study set out to revisit some of the early newspapers in Africa and their relevance to anti-colonial struggle. It examined their audacious confrontation of the colonial masters, what guided their militant approach, and why such nationalistic tendencies are lacking in the post-independent journalism. The key objectives were to locate the influe...

This study investigated the reactions of Internet users hereafter referred to as netizens to the extraordinary rendition from Kenya of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) secessionist group, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the General Mohammadu Buhari's civilian administration and the implications for his administration. The study adopted the...

Introduction Relationship is like blood that streams down our arteries. We all need it to survive and thrive, fulfill our goals and procreate our kind. Conscientiously, mankind tries innately to mediate every flow that gets clogged by debris of miscommunication, misrepresentation and misgivings. Oftentimes the crudity of the impulsive mediation pro...

This study examined the incidence of Fake News in Nigeria through focus group discussion with 25 participants. It was established that although fake news has been around from time immemorial, discussants did not consider it infodemic in the country. The study established the prevalence of fake news in Nigeria. Interestingly, it noted that infodemic...

The spate of communal conflicts in Nigeria has become a nightmare for citizens. In Benue State, the farmers/herdsmen conflict has become a cause of concern as armed herdsmen continue to openly graze, destroy crops, maim and kill citizens on daily basis despite the implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in 2017...

New media is a channel of mass communication mediated through internet-enabled computerised devices and dedicated applications/websites. Social media platforms and blogs are the prominent platforms of the new media and they continue to permeate the Nigerian society. The new media is a frontrunner in the actualisation of the 'global village' ideolog...

Disasters happen unexpectedly and the effects can be severe on victims and communities where it happened. During disasters, communication is vital as it ensures that people are aware of disaster occurrence and how such can be managed. Social media has gained popularity and expanded its function in recent years to become the platform that ensures th...

Advances in technology have provided people with unparalleled opportunities to communicate efficiently and in real time. Adults with an inappropriate sexual interest in children have also benefited from developments in information and communications technology, using it to establish contact with them, to develop relationships, and to groom potentia...

The implication of the digital age on Public Relations practitioners is the major focus for this work. It looked at the digital age as a period characterized by the systematic transitioning from the industrial age to the era of Information Technology (IT). The major highlight of this change is the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) which herald...

Executive and the legislators find a way of making laws and pronouncements that implicate citizens and impinge on their right to freedom of expression. This exploratory position paper notes that the struggle of citizen to stay afloat because of government controls and regulatory attempts ought to have gained added advantage because of technology. T...

This paper examines the enormous prevalence of threats to media freedom and the safety of Nigerian journalists. The goals of the study were to identify and investigate various threats to media freedom and safety of journalists in Nigeria, examine media freedom as it is defined in Nigeria's Constitution and propose potential strategies to protect Ni...

The evolution from social citizenship to digital citizenship is one of the ongoing big events of the 21 st-century digital revolution. Studies have been concerned with how this evolution influences activities like audience participation, business, health, education, and even everyday life. There are gaps in the literature that have led to different...

Social media’s disruptiveness in Africa is evident in every facet of the life of Africans. Interestingly, these disruptions present opportunities that could stir up development. This book throws a spotlight on the tremendous significance of the disruption of social media in the fields of healthcare, politics, governance, conflict resolution, peacef...

This study focused on the way teens in Nigeria are securing their privacy in the social media space. It considered the ease of third parties' access to users' information, what can be done, and what teens are doing to protect such information. The study was anchored on Protection Motivation Theory and used an in-depth interview instrument to gather...

New media and communication technologies have had a significant impact on news operations and production, and as a result, journalism as an industry and profession has changed. In human history, we have never been more connected, exhibiting the benefits of a new, exciting digital age. As a result, this research investigated the dangers and obstacle...

We often get enmeshed in symbols and the set of signs that are employed when interpreting communication, due to the belief that symbols or signs stand alone in representing meaning. A dress contains certain symbols or signs that are representations of reality which must be explored and understood as a form of communication or a picture of the socia...

The new media has become a primary news stories hub in Nigeria in recent times. Stories about civic demonstrations, social crusades, public office holders, elections, political corruption, and police brutality are items that consistently make the news on new media platforms; hence, media audiences are greatly influenced with respect to political an...

Companies all across the world have linked digital advertising to the task of raising awareness for their products and services. This is not unexpected, since companies are inclined to want to reap the many benefits of advertising on a platform that readily offers a broader reach for a lower cost than conventional media such as radio, newspaper, ma...

Cyberbullying is the act of an online user harassing and intimidating another person in the cyberspace. Cyberbullying is sending or posting negative, mean, hurtful or false messages about another person on the internet and on social media sites. Cyberbullying is a problem that arises as a by-product Cyberbullying of modern technology. Cyberbullying...

The study sought to find out the effect of online games on the undergraduate students of Bingham University, Karu, Nigeria. The study was anchored on uses and gratifications theory, while the survey method was used as research design and questionnaire as instrument for data collection. Findings showed the students play online games for various reas...

The UNESCO UNITWIN Cooperation Programme on Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue (MILID) is based on an initiative from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC). This Network was created in line with UNESCO’s mission and objectives, as well as the...

The Internet and social media have become essential parts of modern life. While this continues to impact speed and quality of delivery positively, one sad problem associated with the technology is cybercrime. This study aims to evaluate the level of cybercrime awareness in Nigeria and find ways to mitigate cybercrimes in Nigeria. Anchored on Techno...

The type of information that a society receives and is capable of applying, determines its long-term progress along social equality, environmental and economic growth. Journalism in Nigeria is faced with a two-pronged sustainable crisis which are stem from societal sustainability crises (e.g. climate crises, policy actualisation crises, financial m...

Nigerian women are confronted with gender-based discriminations in all spheres of life and women journalists are not excluded. This study aims to assess some of the challenges confronting women journalists working in Plateau State and the measures taken by the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in assisting its members to surmount th...

Nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises (NMSMEs) are still heavily reliant on the "brick-and-mortar" system or traditional street-side business methodology, which is no longer as efficient as it once was. In contrast to the foregoing, this study examined the effect of new media on nano and micro enterprises (MSSBs) in Nigeria. Hinged on the tech...

For several years in the African continent, a significant part of the continent's history was under various military regimes. Till recently, when most African countries transitioned from military dictatorship and autocracy to civil rule or democratic rule; deliberate and concerted efforts have been made by Africans and the mass media towards sustai...

Cultural intelligence is a specific form of intelligence that focuses on the capability of individuals to function effectively in situations in which they are presented with cultural diversity. It is therefore important that cultural intelligence is used as a tool to solve the issues of insecurity and safety as it focuses on bridging the gap create...

The rapid development of technology has penetrated almost all sectors of the society and makes any form of resistance almost impossible. The incorporation of digital technology into adolescent's daily life, as well as its impact on their cognitive, emotional, and social development, is growing by the day. They can use technology to play, explore, a...

This study was conducted to assess the adherence to advertising ethics on social media by firms and organizations in Nigeria. Anchored on the social contract theory and technological determinism theory, findings on the ethical issues associated with social media advertising in Nigeria revealed that most of the advertisements on social media platfor...

This study provides a valuable understanding of how online social network has been used to perpetrate cyber-crimes and the counter mechanism to prevent such attack at the same time. The study was based on social learning theory. The research method adopted for this paper was qualitative research. In-depth interviews were used to collect primary dat...

This work focused on the role of peace journalism in achieving harmony in Nigeria's pluralistic society. It looked at the disparate tendencies that have created and fostered strife and conflicts between the various components and groups in Nigeria, the role journalism has played in fuelling and sustaining the situation and what journalism can do to...

The year 2022 is expected to record 3.96 billion social media users worldwide, with 33 million users in Nigeria in January 2022. From this 4.8% growth from a year ago, social media has unprecedentedly provided dynamic avenues for sharing of information and communication. Aside the numerous merits, these new opportunities have engendered decipherabl...

The study was carried out to determine how female sexuality is depicted in Nollywood and explored reasons for the depiction, albeit stereotypical. This research was anchored on genderlect and muted group theories. The researchers adopted library research method. The researchers did a review of essays, research works and media commentaries of schola...

Recent events suggest that there is a relationship between the social media and Hashtag activism in Nigeria. This relationship came to the fore when #ENDSARs protesters opened the floodgates of various social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram to mobilize and upload sights and sounds of young people demanding change...

Citizen journalism has gained global attention. Daily, it has become more popular within the global media industry. Our focus in this paper was to establish the perception of the Nigerian public, using the chosen population, about this brand of journalism, which heightened in the country during the 2020 lockdown caused by Covid-19 pandemic. Based o...

For a long time, the Nigerian entertainment industry has been in the spotlight. Nollywood, for example, is regarded as the world's second largest film maker. The industry is gaining new audiences and growing box office income thanks to improved scriptwriting, cinematography, and film directing; a steady influx of youthful talent; the availability o...