This article examines the complex boundaries between 'fake news', speculation, hypothesis, gossip and whistleblowing during the COVID-19 pandemic. It shows that apparently authoritative sources and experts gave information or policy recommendations that have turned out to be wrong, sometimes dangerously so, and explores the kinds of bias that enter medical advice and planning decisions. The article then diagnoses a WhatsApp voice-note from a young South African doctor that went viral and was denounced as 'fake news' because of obvious errors. This note, however, revealed behind the scenes medical thinking about subjects that professional bodies and authorities usually avoid discussing publicly. In highlighting what apparently authoritative sources omit and distort, the article suggests that journalists should report medical advice, even from authoritative sources, with caution and shows that apparently 'fake' news may reveal issues other news sources neglect.
{"title":"‘Fake news’ or trust in authorities? The problems of uncertainty at a time of medical crisis","authors":"I. Glenn","doi":"10.1386/JAMS_00049_1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1386/JAMS_00049_1","url":null,"abstract":"This article examines the complex boundaries between 'fake news', speculation, hypothesis, gossip and whistleblowing during the COVID-19 pandemic. It shows that apparently authoritative sources and experts gave information or policy recommendations that have turned out to be wrong, sometimes dangerously so, and explores the kinds of bias that enter medical advice and planning decisions. The article then diagnoses a WhatsApp voice-note from a young South African doctor that went viral and was denounced as 'fake news' because of obvious errors. This note, however, revealed behind the scenes medical thinking about subjects that professional bodies and authorities usually avoid discussing publicly. In highlighting what apparently authoritative sources omit and distort, the article suggests that journalists should report medical advice, even from authoritative sources, with caution and shows that apparently 'fake' news may reveal issues other news sources neglect.","PeriodicalId":43702,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Media Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90985597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The 2020 COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic represents a severe threat to the continent of Africa - to its people, its fauna (as COVID-19 can spread to non-human creatures and human respiratory diseases are often deadly to other primates) and its economy. The context of Africa is unique in its relation to COVID-19 in that Africa has recently suffered from - and still suffers from severe viral epidemics of HIV and Ebola virus, which creates both more significant vulnerabilities and relevant experience combatting viruses. Within the pandemic, there is a secondary 'infodemic' of misinformation which has served to complicate and worsen the effects of COVID-19 itself by undermining the public health measures necessary to prevent the spread of the virus. The purpose of this strategic review of recently published and relevant literature was to assess initial response to pandemics on the continent of Africa, in order to identify how the conspiracy theories, misinformation and disinformation related to COVID-19 may be identified and mitigated throughout the coming months and years and suggest a research agenda for better informing these issues. The study took the form of a systematic review of the literature relating to COVID-19 misinformation in Africa, especially as it relates to prior viral epidemics of HIV/AIDS and Ebola virus. This research is significant as it sheds light on potential means of mitigating the spread of disinformation, and therefore saving lives as we move through this ongoing pandemic.
{"title":"A systematic review of the spread of information during pandemics: A case of the 2020 COVID-19 virus","authors":"O. Shobowale","doi":"10.1386/JAMS_00045_1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1386/JAMS_00045_1","url":null,"abstract":"The 2020 COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic represents a severe threat to the continent of Africa - to its people, its fauna (as COVID-19 can spread to non-human creatures and human respiratory diseases are often deadly to other primates) and its economy. The context of Africa is unique in its relation to COVID-19 in that Africa has recently suffered from - and still suffers from severe viral epidemics of HIV and Ebola virus, which creates both more significant vulnerabilities and relevant experience combatting viruses. Within the pandemic, there is a secondary 'infodemic' of misinformation which has served to complicate and worsen the effects of COVID-19 itself by undermining the public health measures necessary to prevent the spread of the virus. The purpose of this strategic review of recently published and relevant literature was to assess initial response to pandemics on the continent of Africa, in order to identify how the conspiracy theories, misinformation and disinformation related to COVID-19 may be identified and mitigated throughout the coming months and years and suggest a research agenda for better informing these issues. The study took the form of a systematic review of the literature relating to COVID-19 misinformation in Africa, especially as it relates to prior viral epidemics of HIV/AIDS and Ebola virus. This research is significant as it sheds light on potential means of mitigating the spread of disinformation, and therefore saving lives as we move through this ongoing pandemic.","PeriodicalId":43702,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Media Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88028780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ezinne Chioma Abaneme, Chinedu Jude Nwasum, Oscar Chima, Ogbonnanya Elechi, N. Uduma
The recording of the index case of COVID-19 in Nigeria prompted the government to activate emergency communication strategies across the country. This study examines the awareness of the COVID-19 virus amongst rural dwellers and the importance of traditional media in health crisis communication amongst the residents of Ebonyi state. An adult sample size of 95 persons (32 male and 63 female) was assessed. The study adopts an in-depth interview as the research design. Data were generated using an interview guide and analysed thematically. The results show that rural dwellers are aware of the virus and the compliance level is high. There is a huge dependence on traditional media like town crier as the source of information amongst rural dwellers. The present study highlights the need to include rural dwellers in crisis communication planning and the integration of traditional media in future crisis communication planning.
{"title":"Communicating COVID-19 to rural dwellers: Revisiting the role of traditional media in crisis communication","authors":"Ezinne Chioma Abaneme, Chinedu Jude Nwasum, Oscar Chima, Ogbonnanya Elechi, N. Uduma","doi":"10.1386/JAMS_00042_1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1386/JAMS_00042_1","url":null,"abstract":"The recording of the index case of COVID-19 in Nigeria prompted the government to activate emergency communication strategies across the country. This study examines the awareness of the COVID-19 virus amongst rural dwellers and the importance of traditional media in health crisis communication amongst the residents of Ebonyi state. An adult sample size of 95 persons (32 male and 63 female) was assessed. The study adopts an in-depth interview as the research design. Data were generated using an interview guide and analysed thematically. The results show that rural dwellers are aware of the virus and the compliance level is high. There is a huge dependence on traditional media like town crier as the source of information amongst rural dwellers. The present study highlights the need to include rural dwellers in crisis communication planning and the integration of traditional media in future crisis communication planning.","PeriodicalId":43702,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Media Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90907534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
While the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which causes COVID-19) has triggered a worldwide frenzied race to find a vaccine or cure, another battle is raging against technological, medicinal, religious, geopolitical and other infodemics. A two-legged qualitative study in Chintheche, a small rural town in Malawi, Africa, was conducted to explore how the residents there perceived and navigated COVID-19 amidst all the infodemic. The first leg of the study concluded that the interviewees were aware and knowledgeable about COVID-19, and the health impact it posed, but nearly half of them doubted its presence in Malawi. The second leg found that participants no longer doubted COVID-19's presence in Malawi as some prominent people they knew in their locality had either died or been hospitalized with the disease. The study concludes that only evidence of pandemics getting closer to home may change people's dismissive attitudes and moderate their behaviours.
{"title":"Exploring COVID-19 infodemic in rural Africa: A case study of Chintheche, Malawi","authors":"L. Manda","doi":"10.1386/JAMS_00047_1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1386/JAMS_00047_1","url":null,"abstract":"While the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which causes COVID-19) has triggered a worldwide frenzied race to find a vaccine or cure, another battle is raging against technological, medicinal, religious, geopolitical and other infodemics. A two-legged qualitative study in Chintheche, a small rural town in Malawi, Africa, was conducted to explore how the residents there perceived and navigated COVID-19 amidst all the infodemic. The first leg of the study concluded that the interviewees were aware and knowledgeable about COVID-19, and the health impact it posed, but nearly half of them doubted its presence in Malawi. The second leg found that participants no longer doubted COVID-19's presence in Malawi as some prominent people they knew in their locality had either died or been hospitalized with the disease. The study concludes that only evidence of pandemics getting closer to home may change people's dismissive attitudes and moderate their behaviours.","PeriodicalId":43702,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Media Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85482889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The coronavirus pandemic in Africa: Crisis communication challenges","authors":"Martin N. Ndlela","doi":"10.1386/JAMS_00039_2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1386/JAMS_00039_2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":43702,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Media Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75085158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has generated unprecedented information on preventive strategies aimed at containment and control of the disease. This study examined the relationship between perceived credibility of information sources and adoption of COVID-19 preventive strategies among residents in South West Nigeria. The study adopted Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), while online survey and in-depth interview (IDI) were employed as the research designs. Convenience and purposive sampling procedures were used in the selection of 259 respondents and ten participants who were 18 years and above. Data were generated using questionnaire and interview guide. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple bootstrapping comparison test were used to analyse quantitative data, while qualitative data were transcribed and direct quotations that represented the participants' opinions were used for the analysis. Key findings showed that expertise and trustworthiness determined the credibility of information sources while television was perceived as the most credible source of information. A significant relationship exists between perceived credibility of information sources and adoption of preventive measures. These findings highlight the need for preventive strategies to be disseminated through credible information sources.
{"title":"COVID-19 containment and control: Information source credibility and adoption of prevention strategies among residents in South West Nigeria","authors":"Mustapha Adeniyi Adeitan, N. Onyechi, Ozioma Omah","doi":"10.1386/JAMS_00046_1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1386/JAMS_00046_1","url":null,"abstract":"The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has generated unprecedented information on preventive strategies aimed at containment and control of the disease. This study examined the relationship between perceived credibility of information sources and adoption of COVID-19 preventive strategies among residents in South West Nigeria. The study adopted Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), while online survey and in-depth interview (IDI) were employed as the research designs. Convenience and purposive sampling procedures were used in the selection of 259 respondents and ten participants who were 18 years and above. Data were generated using questionnaire and interview guide. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple bootstrapping comparison test were used to analyse quantitative data, while qualitative data were transcribed and direct quotations that represented the participants' opinions were used for the analysis. Key findings showed that expertise and trustworthiness determined the credibility of information sources while television was perceived as the most credible source of information. A significant relationship exists between perceived credibility of information sources and adoption of preventive measures. These findings highlight the need for preventive strategies to be disseminated through credible information sources.","PeriodicalId":43702,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Media Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87804840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
With the absence of immunological, pharmacological or any other known medical interventions, the change in norms, behaviour and attitude of the public remains the only possible way that may be considered for prevention and suppression of COVID-19. This disease, which has morphed into a global pandemic, has mobilized outrageous outpouring action worldwide. Despite international and local media attention coupled with overwhelming new facts replete with misinformation and disinformation on COVID-19 from many channels;including interpersonal and social media, efforts to scale up control measures have yielded mixed results. The government and Kenyan media have reported several cases in which the public and leaders flouted these measures thus putting themselves at risk of contracting or spreading the virus. The overarching question is: does fear-arousing communication really matter in behaviour change particularly during a global pandemic of the magnitude of COVID-19? This qualitative study therefore examined the effects of COVID-19 messages on health behaviour change among residents living in the Municipality of Busia, one of the towns that have recorded the highest incidences of confirmed COVID-19 cases as informed by the Extended Parallel Process and Health Belief behavioural change models. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were carried out to establish threat and coping appraisal as a result of COVID-19 messages received from different sources. The study employed a risk behaviour diagnosis assessment that focused on two components of health risk messages, that is, threat and recommended response that addresses efficacy issues. This study found out that despite universal knowledge of COVID-19 and prevention methods, perceived threat especially perceived vulnerability to the virus was low due to misinformation, disinformation and disjointed communication.
{"title":"Fear-arousing persuasive communication and behaviour change: COVID-19 in Kenya","authors":"Omukule Emojong'","doi":"10.1386/JAMS_00043_1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1386/JAMS_00043_1","url":null,"abstract":"With the absence of immunological, pharmacological or any other known medical interventions, the change in norms, behaviour and attitude of the public remains the only possible way that may be considered for prevention and suppression of COVID-19. This disease, which has morphed into a global pandemic, has mobilized outrageous outpouring action worldwide. Despite international and local media attention coupled with overwhelming new facts replete with misinformation and disinformation on COVID-19 from many channels;including interpersonal and social media, efforts to scale up control measures have yielded mixed results. The government and Kenyan media have reported several cases in which the public and leaders flouted these measures thus putting themselves at risk of contracting or spreading the virus. The overarching question is: does fear-arousing communication really matter in behaviour change particularly during a global pandemic of the magnitude of COVID-19? This qualitative study therefore examined the effects of COVID-19 messages on health behaviour change among residents living in the Municipality of Busia, one of the towns that have recorded the highest incidences of confirmed COVID-19 cases as informed by the Extended Parallel Process and Health Belief behavioural change models. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were carried out to establish threat and coping appraisal as a result of COVID-19 messages received from different sources. The study employed a risk behaviour diagnosis assessment that focused on two components of health risk messages, that is, threat and recommended response that addresses efficacy issues. This study found out that despite universal knowledge of COVID-19 and prevention methods, perceived threat especially perceived vulnerability to the virus was low due to misinformation, disinformation and disjointed communication.","PeriodicalId":43702,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Media Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77546715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
I. Amobi, Lambe Kayode Mustapha, Lilian Adaora Udodi, Oluwakemi Akinuliola-Aweda, Mogbonjubade Esther Adesulure, I. Okoye
This study examined the individual and collective influence of conspiracy theories, misinformation and knowledge revolving around COVID-19, on public adoption of the Nigerian government's containment policies. The study adopted the Survey, and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) methods. For the survey, a sample of 466 respondents were drawn from Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp, while 24 participants were selected for the FGD. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and thematic approach were used to analyse data generated from the study. Results revealed a COVID-19 conspiratorial thinking among survey respondents and FGD participants, who were also familiar with the orgy of unbridled dissemination of misinformation and conspiracy theories in the social media space. Majority of respondents were knowledgeable about government's COVID-19 containment policies and were practicing the recommended safety measures. Their decision was influenced by trust in opinion leaders, especially family members and medical experts.
{"title":"Influence of conspiracy theories, misinformation and knowledge on public adoption of Nigerian government’s COVID-19 containment policies","authors":"I. Amobi, Lambe Kayode Mustapha, Lilian Adaora Udodi, Oluwakemi Akinuliola-Aweda, Mogbonjubade Esther Adesulure, I. Okoye","doi":"10.1386/JAMS_00048_1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1386/JAMS_00048_1","url":null,"abstract":"This study examined the individual and collective influence of conspiracy theories, misinformation and knowledge revolving around COVID-19, on public adoption of the Nigerian government's containment policies. The study adopted the Survey, and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) methods. For the survey, a sample of 466 respondents were drawn from Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp, while 24 participants were selected for the FGD. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and thematic approach were used to analyse data generated from the study. Results revealed a COVID-19 conspiratorial thinking among survey respondents and FGD participants, who were also familiar with the orgy of unbridled dissemination of misinformation and conspiracy theories in the social media space. Majority of respondents were knowledgeable about government's COVID-19 containment policies and were practicing the recommended safety measures. Their decision was influenced by trust in opinion leaders, especially family members and medical experts.","PeriodicalId":43702,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Media Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87814855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Disruptions and transformations of digital media in Africa: An interdisciplinary overview","authors":"Dani Madrid-Morales, K. Ireri","doi":"10.1386/JAMS_00030_2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1386/JAMS_00030_2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":43702,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Media Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88152859","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Digital media have developed to facilitate new forms of engagement with heritage and allow traditional life to showcase its past history, thus potentially broadening interest to a broader landscape of audience. The research responds to calls for a better understanding of cultural expression using digital media by exploring the affordances and utilization of digital forms on users. Also, it is essential to examine the magnitude of the associations. Accordingly, the research analyses the interaction between cultural expressions and digital media use. The aims of the investigation are informed by behavioural theories to add depth and texture. The methodological framework is framed by a survey questionnaire method. The sample size is drawn from undergraduate students at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, using the simple random scheme. The study informs practice, enhances our understanding of digital media while improving user experiences and sheds new insights on self-preservation, values and co-producing heritage assets.
{"title":"Cultural expression using digital media by students","authors":"G. Olasina","doi":"10.1386/jams_00029_1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1386/jams_00029_1","url":null,"abstract":"Digital media have developed to facilitate new forms of engagement with heritage and allow traditional life to showcase its past history, thus potentially broadening interest to a broader landscape of audience. The research responds to calls for a better understanding of cultural expression\u0000 using digital media by exploring the affordances and utilization of digital forms on users. Also, it is essential to examine the magnitude of the associations. Accordingly, the research analyses the interaction between cultural expressions and digital media use. The aims of the investigation\u0000 are informed by behavioural theories to add depth and texture. The methodological framework is framed by a survey questionnaire method. The sample size is drawn from undergraduate students at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, using the simple random scheme. The study informs practice, enhances\u0000 our understanding of digital media while improving user experiences and sheds new insights on self-preservation, values and co-producing heritage assets.","PeriodicalId":43702,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Media Studies","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2020-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81849628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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