Media and Communication Theory in Africa

Description

This contributed volume explores theories of media and communication and focuses on providing African perspectives on global conversations. Using broad cases relating to media and communication theories, this book explores socio-cultural issues affecting most modern African societies, providing a conceptual and empirical framework for explicating the potential place of media techniques and structures in Africa. As a good template for understanding and applying communication theories and approaches in the African context, the volume is a priceless asset for Media and Communication scholars. Preface Acknowledgements Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures Normative Press Theories and the Revisiting of Media Roles in Africa’s Changing Socio-economic and Political Contexts 1 Introduction 1.1 An Overview of African Media Environment 1.2 Evolution and Development of the Mass Media in Africa 1.2.1 Nigeria 1.2.2 Kenya 1.2.3 South Africa 1.2.4 Tunisia 2 Normative Theories in Perspective 2.1 Application of Normative Theories in Africa’s Changing Socio-economic and Political Contexts: Matters Arising 2.2 Rethinking Normative Media Theories in the Digital Era: Case Studies in Africa 2.3 Critical Evaluation of the Normative Theories and the State: Press Relations in Africa 3 Conclusion References Theorising African Journalism: The Reportage of China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative in Four African Newspapers 1 Introduction 2 Background of the Case Study: MSRI 3 Framing (and Frame-Building) Theory and Resource Dependence Theory: The African Context 3.1 Critiquing Framing Theory 3.1.1 Resource Dependence Theory (RDT) 4 Discussion 4.1 Portrayal Patterns 4.1.1 Predominant Themes in Media Reportage of BRI-MSRI Primary Beneficiaries of BRI-MSRI Outcomes, as Indicated in the Newspapers 5 Pointers for Building Theoretical Propositions on African Journalism 5.1 (Theoretical) Propositions 6 Conclusion References Legislative Control and Native Metaphors in Social Media Interactions in Africa: Making Liberal Press Theories Functional in the Continent 1 Introduction 2 Debating Speech Freedom and the Politics of Authority 3 Interrogating the Nigerian Press Scenario: A Script for Africa 4 A Tree with Four Branches: Normative Theories in Perspective 5 Perspective on Legislative, Government Control and Media Experiences in Africa 6 Social Media Handles of Freedom and the Platform of Shifting Realities 7 Metaphorical Disguise of Netizens in Digital Space 8 Conclusion References Understanding Critical and Cultural Theories: An African Perspective 1 Introduction 1.1 Understanding Assumptions and Concepts of the Critical Cultural Theories 2 What Are Critical Cultural Theories? 2.1 Critical Cultural Theory: A Variety of Theories 2.2 Symbolic Interaction Theory 2.3 Social Construction of Reality Theory 2.4 Media Intrusion Theory 2.5 Culture Industries: Media and the Commodification of Culture 3 Globalization, Media and Culture 3.1 The Link Between Global Media Systems and Cultural Realities in Africa 3.2 Global Media and African Culture: The Good, the Bad 4 Media Imperialism Across Africa 4.1 Tanzania 4.1.1 Use of Language 4.1.2 Songs, Music and Dances 4.1.3 Foods and Drinks 4.1.4 Fast Foods 4.1.5 Clothing 4.2 Nigeria 4.2.1 Commodification of Culture 4.2.2 Religion 4.2.3 Family 5 Critical and Cultural Studies’ Assessment of Buhari’s Administration in Nigeria 5.1 Nigeria: An Overview of Governance 5.2 The Issue of Leadership 6 Current Trends and Uncharted Territory 7 Conclusion and Recommendations References Towards an Alternative Model: Theorising Newspaper Reviews as Secondary Gatekeeping by Broadcast Stations in Africa 1 Introduction: Conceptual Clarifications and Rationale 1.1 Newspaper Reviews as Secondary GateKeeping 2 The Gatekeeping Theory 2.1 White’s (1950) Simple Gatekeeping Model 2.2 Westley and Maclean’s (1957) Model of Gatekeeping 3 Towards a Model for Theorising Newspaper Reviews as a Secondary Gatekeeping Process 4 Discussion 5 Conclusion References Theories from the Communication Field: A Family Communication Perspective 1 Introduction 2 History of Family Communication 3 The Theories of Family Communication 3.1 Family Communication Patterns Theory 3.2 Systems Theory 3.3 Social Constructionist Theory 4 Theoretical Perspectives on Family Communication in Africa 4.1 Family Communication Patterns Theory and Parenting in Nigeria, Cameroun and South Africa 4.2 Systems Theory and the Extended Family System in Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia 4.3 Social Constructionism, Story-Telling and Puberty Rites in African Families: Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia 5 Existing Trends in Family Communication 5.1 Ritualizing and Family Communication 5.2 Dark Side of Family Communication 5.3 Health and Family Communication 5.4 Work-Life Issues and Family Communication 6 Conclusion: Future Directions in Family Communication Research References Media and Public Opinion in West Africa: An Interplay of Agenda Setting, Agenda Building and Framing Theories 1 Introduction 2 Background to Agenda Setting as a Theory 3 Sub-Region of West Africa Rising Coups in Relations to Media Agenda 4 Scholarly Contributions to Agenda Setting 5 New Concepts in Agenda Setting 6 The Stages of Agenda Setting in Summary 6.1 Agenda Building 7 Agenda Building in Politics 8 Scenarios of Agenda Building in West Africa 9 Recent Developments in Agenda Setting 9.1 Agenda-Meldling 10 Author’s Critic of Agenda Setting and Proposition of Times Travel Agenda (TTA) 10.1 Levels in the Proposed Times Travel Agenda (TTA) 11 Criticisms of Agenda Setting 12 Future of Agenda Setting Theory 13 The Nexus of This Theoretical Framework to Nigerian Politics 14 Conclusion References Exploring ‘Omniscience Theory’ as a Theoretical Framework in Journalism Practice 1 Introduction 1.1 Overview of Working Theory 1.2 Theories and Predictions in Mass Media 1.3 Prediction as a Concept in Journalism Practice 1.4 Prediction as a Multidimensional Concept 2 ‘Omniscience Theory’ as a Working Theory 2.1 Selected Relevant Theories and ‘Omniscience Theory’ 2.1.1 Agenda-Setting Theory 2.1.2 Reflective-Projective Theory 2.1.3 Social Responsibility Theory 2.1.4 Evidences Foregrounding ‘Omniscience Theory’ 2.1.5 The Need for ‘Omniscience Theory’ in Journalism Studies 2.1.6 Agreement of Scholars on ‘Omniscience Theory’ 2.1.7 Criticism of Current Theories 3 Conclusion References Application of Theories in Film Techniques and Production in Africa 1 Introduction 2 Academization and Filmology of African Films 3 Structuralism Film Theory 3.1 Film as a Language with Structure 3.2 Structuralism in African Films 4 Marxist Film Theory 4.1 Marxism in African Film Production 5 Psychoanalytic Film Theory 5.1 Psychoanalysis of African Films 6 Screen Film Theory 6.1 African Films as Mirror of the Society 7 Feminist Film Theory 7.1 Application of Feminist Theory in African Films 8 Auteur Film Theory 8.1 Auteur Theory in African Film Productions 9 Apparatus Film Theory 9.1 African Films Ideological Imposition on Audience 10 Conclusion References Espousing a Multi-sieve Model for Conflict-Sensitive Reporting in Africa 1 Introduction 1.1 Media and Conflict-Sensitive Reporting 1.2 Media and Conflict-Sensitive Reporting in Africa 1.3 Ethics and the Dilemma of Conflict-Sensitive Reporting 2 Towards a Multi-sieve Model of Conflict-Sensitive Reporting in Africa 3 Conclusion References Theorizing the Power of Celebrities in the Media Landscape of Africa 1 Introduction 1.1 Global Overview of Celebrities 2 Theories in Celebrity Studies 2.1 Source Credibility Theory 2.2 Source Attractiveness Theory 2.3 Transfer of Meaning Model 2.4 Match-Up Theory 3 Discussion 4 Conclusion References Health Communication Models, Theories and their Applications in Africa 1 Introduction 1.1 Health Belief Model (HBM) 1.1.1 Case Study: COVID-19 Awareness 1.1.2 Practical Example of HBM-Based Intervention in Africa COVID-19 Animation Video for Children in Malawi 1.2 Theories of Reasoned Action and Planned Behaviour 1.2.1 Case Study: Lassa Fever in Nigeria 1.2.2 Practical Example of the Theory of Planned Behaviour-Based Intervention in Africa 1.3 Diffusion of Innovation Theory 1.3.1 Stages of the Adoption-Decision Process 1.3.2 Case Study: Covid-19 in Tanzania 1.3.3 Practical Example of Diffusion of Innovation-Based Intervention in Africa Covid-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Côte d’Ivoire 1.4 Social Marketing Theory 1.4.1 Case Study: HIV Self-Testing 1.4.2 Practical Example of Social Marketing Theory-Based Intervention in Africa 1.5 Trans-Theoretical/Stages of Change Model 1.5.1 Case Study: Substance Abuse 1.5.2 Practical Example of Transtheoretical Model-Based Intervention in Africa Substance Abuse Intervention in George, South Africa 1.6 Extended Parallel Processes Model 1.6.1 Case Study: Diabetes in Africa 1.6.2 Practical Example of Extended Parallel Process-Based Intervention in Africa 2 Applicability of Health Communication Theories in Africa 2.1 Challenges Associated with Development, Packaging, and Dissemination of Health Communication Interventions Include 2.2 Challenge Regarding Access to Health Communication Messages 3 Conclusion References The Role of the Media in the Management of Pandemic Situations in Africa. An Application of Selected Health Communication Theories 1 Introduction 1.1 Global Framing of Pandemics 1.2 Communication of COVID-19 and Ebola Pandemic in West Africa 1.2.1 The Ebola Pandemic in Nigeria 1.3 COVID-19 in West Africa (Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone) 1.3.1 Communication of Covid-19 Messages in Nigeria 1.3.2 Communication of COVID-19 Messages in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) 1.3.3 Communication of COVID-19 Messages in Southern Africa 1.3.4 Communication of COVID-19 in North Africa 2 Health Communication Theories and COVID-19 Communication of COVID-19 Messages in Africa 2.1 Theory of Reasoned Action 2.2 Health Belief Model (HBM) 2.2.1 The Health Belief Model in Practice Kenya South Africa 2.3 Protection Motivation Theory 2.3.1 Examples of the Application of the Theory 3 Media Communication Challenges 4 Recommendations 5 Conclusion References Contextualizing the Technology Acceptance Model for Application in Health Communication in Africa 1 Introduction 2 Theories in Technology Adoption Studies 2.1 The Origin and Development of TAM 2.1.1 Explaining the Main Constructs of the Model 2.1.2 Relation Between the Constructs 2.1.3 Critiques and Shortcomings of TAM 2.1.4 Contextualizing the Model 3 Conclusion References Index