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- Date Issued:
- 1997-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- Review of essays in Journal of communication's special issue "Ferment in the field"
- Date Issued:
- 1985-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Critical Arts
- Description:
- Development institutions have in recent years realised the importance of indigenous culture as an important vehicle for communication. This has led to the creation of programmes in which local cultural forms have been "recruited" as the communication process for "selling" development strategies. The paper draws upon the author's experiences of theatre for primary health mobilisation and awareness in rural Malawi. The advantage of performing arts as a medium for development communication are that: 1) they provide a more entertaining form than monologous media, 2) they can easily use local languages and cultural forms such as songs and dances, 3) they encourage participation and debate in the audiences. The main disadvantage is that such intrumental use of the performing arts can lead to a cornmodification of culture which is manifested in: 1) the professionalisation of cultural workers in a context which is not normally commercial, 2) the reification and triviliation of community culture through the use of traditional external forms to convey messages totally at variance with their original context. Such cultural engineering, at its most insensitive can constitute a form of developmental imperialism which erodes rather than supports the cultural cement binding local communities. Suggested solutions demand agents' wide-ranging consultations, not only with development minded stake-holders, but also with those who possess cultural skills and interests.
- Date Issued:
- 1997-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- This paper discusses the kind of mass communication research that is required in Africa. After a thorough review of the controversy between the adherents of the (American) administrative and (European) critical research schools, the author argues that as far as African mass communication research is concerned, the problem is not only that of conceptualization but also that of social research process and administration. The paper registers a general dissatisfaction with African social research based on foreign theoretical and methodological assumptions. It ends with a call for 'back to our roots', having outlined four major research agenda for African mass communication researchers.
- Date Issued:
- 1987-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- This article sketches a broad overview of the problems and prospects of Africa communication. Beginning with Africa's economic handicaps which limit its potential to fully exploit the new array of modern communication technologies, it argues that it is class politics which excludes the mass of the African people from communication channels that constitutes the major impediment to communication in Africa. The remedy to this problem is, therefore, to be found in a communication strategy that accords due respect to African cultural traditions in which respect for truth, equality, social justice and the supernatural are the cardinal principles.
- Date Issued:
- 1989-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- This is an incisive scientific evaluation of the existing curricula in journalism and communication training institutions in East Africa. The study pays close attention to most of the crucial elements of a good curricula, including the aims and objectives of the courses, the teaching methods adopted, the assessment methods of the courses and the flexibility of the courses to accomodate community, national, regional, continental and international needs. The aims of the study were five-fold: To provide emphirical evidence on the orientations, objectives and scope of the existing curricula in journalism and communication training in East Africa; to suggest variousways of re-modelling the curricula; to access the quality of training offered to journalists so as to find out if they are being adequately funded and teachers well remunerated and; to generate fresh data on journalism and communication training in the region which can be used by policy makers and implementors in shaping future training needs. Field survey research design was used to collect data from stations, newspapers, training institutions and governmental departments. A total of 19, 21 and 22 respondents from Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya respectively were interviewed. The study raises concern over two pertinent issues: the fact that the training institutions have less teaching staff and that the curricula used are relatively old with the newest having been drawn in 1994. The author suggests that there ought to be regular review of the curricula to make them responsive to the ever-changing media demands. Three track approach to the review of the curricula are recommended. They invite Unesco and other stakeholders to commission further studies aimed at a comprehensive improvement of the curricula so that the beneficiaries may be able to face the various complex communication challenges facing their communities and countries; the region, continent and the world.
- Date Issued:
- 1997-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
7. Book review
- Description:
- Review of: Marthinus van Schoor. What is communication? Pretoria: Van Schaik, 1986
- Date Issued:
- 1987-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Critical Arts
- Description:
- This article is a response to the quest for more relevant strategies for communication training in Africa. It reviews the liberal social theories upon which Third World studies have been anchored and rejects them for having led to the current crisis of theory in communication training. Opting for a Marxian political economy approach, it suggests, inter alia, the study of imperialism in all its manifestations as a way of understanding the current reality in Africa; the need to relate theory and practice (through field work) in communication training; and the incorporation of sufficient social science theories and applications thereof into communication syllabi of African training institutions.
- Date Issued:
- 1990-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- This paper seeks to propagate the idea that Islam is a communicative religion. Allah is communicative God Who takes keen interest in the affairs of His creatures. Interpersonal communication, human interaction and societal relationships in Islam are two way processes of sharing ideas and concerns in open and free environments of love and dedication. The paper is a discussion on how Islam deals with every element of the communication process. The paper concludes that society has a duty to work for, preserve and enhance the unity, strength, integrity, tranquillity and development of society through interpersonal communication, human interaction and social relationships.
- Date Issued:
- 1993-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- Conflicts have always been part of human society and mechanisms to resolve them have often tended to reflect the level of political organisation in a particular society. The traditional African society is rife with varied approaches to conflict management. Uganda, for example, is a heterogeneous society which prior to colonial rule was organised around chiefdoms among some tribes and clan elders among others. In the Kingdom areas such as Buganda, Ankore, Bunyoro, Toro and to some extent in Busoga the king ruled through institutions such as the hierarchy of chiefs and laws. In segmentary societies such as Kigezi, Bugisu, Bamba, Bakonjo and the Iteso, the political and social organisation was clan based, regulated by customs and values. In pre-colonial Uganda each society had set conventions, customs and traditions which regulated social behaviour, harmony and stability. These unwritten laws provided a set of acceptable behaviour and controlled deviants in society. Despite the differences in political organisation, it is generally agreed that each of these societies had elaborate systems of governance, rule of law, justice and administrative organs. Each member of society was supposed to know his rights and sanctions were imposed on those individuals who did not comply with the norms. This article will address the issue of conflict, how it was dealt with in traditional African culture, the methods of communication both in traditional and modern Uganda and the question of rights and responsibilities in promoting cross-cultural amity.
- Date Issued:
- 1997-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- African nations are at the crossroads. Some of their economies are tottering, and on the brink of collapse while social, cultural and political structures are becoming weaker by the day. There is need for better management of Africa's resources. The article advances an argument that communication is critical in the empowerment of civil society. It points out that communication is a doubleedged blade that can either empower or disempower a civil society. The paper highlights key areas in which communication can empower a society. These are in the economic, cultural and political spheres. The effects of modern communication technology especially the internet and e-mail among others, which have radically transformed information dissemination system are discussed. It includes that African countries must take cognisance of the role of communication and harness it for their benefit.
- Date Issued:
- 1996-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
12. The political culture of mass communication research and the role of African communication scholars
- Description:
- This article outlines some of the recurring issues in mass communication research. Starting with a discussion of the perennial problem of defining the field of mass communication research, the article reviews the administrative-critical debate or the 'ferment' in mass communication research, and puts forward new concepts which seem to suggest new directions in the field. It finally suggests ways in which African communication scholars might contribute to the on-going debates in the field.
- Date Issued:
- 1989-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- Paulo Freire's ideas on education, conscientization and participatory development have assumed the status of external and universal truths which can be applied in any developing society. Though Freire's theory of dialogical communcation and action is based on group dialogue rather than the mass media, there is a sense in which this theory can apply to almost any aspect of human communication, in a truly participatory manner. Inspite of the attraction of participatory methodologies, their users are cautioned against uncritical application in all situations.
- Date Issued:
- 1996-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- This paper discusses the African journalists' perception of the new world Information order, seeking to find out what changes they expect from it. The paper attempts to identify the positions taken by various journalists on the issue pertaining to this controversy. Basing his opinion on the results of a survey conducted in Nigeria, the author concludes that this debate cannot be fruitfully carried on since there is little agreement on the meanings of the concepts employed by the disputants.
- Date Issued:
- 1987-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- This paper discusses the development of modern mass media as a necessary attribute of the evolution of an integral Nigerian nation out of the many traditional ethnic communities. It shows that the traditional media which were the precolonial channels of communication were limited in the conduct of national commerce, religion, education, politics and government. The paper, however, contends that the potentials of the traditional media have not been fully explored, and calls for research to establish what roles such media can play in modern politics, and in grassroot development generally.
- Date Issued:
- 1987-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- This paper argues the case for a philosophy of communication in Africa so as to give meaning and direction of African communication research. Observing that philosophy as an activity is not alien to Africa, the author contends that it is the absence of a philosophy of communication in Africa that accounts for the lack of theoretical orientation in African communication research. He reviews the major American mass communication theories, and demonstrates that each of them is based on some American philosophy or world view. He then argues that any appropriate philosophy of mass communication in Africa must originate from African philosophy, defined in a fairly broad manner.
- Date Issued:
- 1987-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- This paper critically evaluates the various conceptions of self-reliance in Black Africa. It identifies some factors that may promote or hinder the realization of self-reliance in mass communication training. Observing that much of the educational philosophy and many curricula used in Black Africa's mass communication training are a colonical legacy, the author recommends that training should not just revamp such philosophies and curricula, but initiate a new, development-oriented outlook.
- Date Issued:
- 1987-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Date Issued:
- 1997-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- This study examines the nature of communication research published in Africa Media Review, with particular reference to the subject areas of the published studies, and the extent to which the researchers have used some of the minimal scientific procedures in executing their studies. Since the AMR is the leading African communication journal which regularly publishes African communication research, it is an appropriate place to begin this process of empirical excursion into the present state of communication research on the continent.
- Date Issued:
- 1995-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- This paper emphasises the role that communication technology plays in the present day world. It embraces Marshall McLuhan's idea of "the global village" as a result of the communication technological strides. The paper states that the term information superhighway incorporates all the existing networks into one system, but at the same time it is multi dimensional, unlike the traffic highway which projects two directions of movement. It moves to underscore pluralism that exists as a result of advanced information technology. This rush towards information technology, is largely interlinked to economic factors. The paper advocates for research in indigenous communication to augment modern communication. It argues that Africa's potential in indigenous knowledge and practices remains largely untapped, adding that information and knowledge can be effectively transmitted using indigenous forms of communication, which are characterised by simplicity of technology and directness of interaction. The paper ends with an assertion that indigenous forms of communication should be integrated with modern communication systems for sustainable development.
- Date Issued:
- 1996-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- This paper critically reviews the current status of African communication educational resources and needs in the context of the development of the post colonial state and its institutions. In calling for an indigenized philosophy of communication, the paper argues that the current patterns of communication education are too foreign-oriented and have very little or no indigenous component. As a result, media practitioners are institutionally incapable of interpreting dynamically complex socio-economic and development problems facing Africa today.
- Date Issued:
- 1992-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- Advances in communication technology, bring with them new characteristics which often expand the horizons for information exchange among people. The evolving information superhighway is promising to break the physical barriers to the free flow of information. This has serious implications for developing countries. As many parts of the world adopt the new technologies of the information superhighway African countries should be cautious and not too readily abandon their traditional communication methods, which are not necessarily anti-thetical to the Internet. As exciting as the new technologies are, they do not always portend positive developments.
- Date Issued:
- 1996-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- In this bibiliographic review, Obijiofor explores the impact or consequences of new technologies such as computers, telecommunications, satellites, home video systems, interactive multi media systems on developed and developing countries. It sheds light on two schools of thought; that the new technologies would provide urgent solutions to present and future problems and can also promote pornography in the internet with little control by the gate keepers. The paper explores the following areas of concern: uses of new technologies, legalistic interpretations of freedom of expression, gender and new communication technologies, the information superhighway and public expectations, among others. Finally the paper concludes that before government and policy makers rush into a final decision, the guiding question should be, does the common man or woman in the West or in Africa buffeted by hunger, understand the issues involved?
- Date Issued:
- 1996-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- This paper explores the nature of communication research going on in Africa The author argues that while the absence of a research tradition in Africa compels researchers on African affairs to adapt and replicate some American, European, and Soviet research strategies, there is a real need for communication researchers to take cognizance of the cultural context in which their research in Africa takes place. He singles out the "focus group' approach as being particularly suitable for data elicitation from Africans because it harmonizes well with their social-group orientation. This approach, he argues, has the merit of generating new hypotheses since it allows interviewees to respond or behave in unanticipated ways. The author, however, does not expect the approach to be problem-free and he makes useful suggestions as to how some of the anticipated problems may be overcome.
- Date Issued:
- 1987-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- This article looks at mass communication research in the African cultural and traditional context and suggests some innovative approaches that would enhance local communication research endeavours. It examines how African peoples, cultures, institutions and communication environments impede or facilitate social research. The author calls for indigenous efforts in the construction of new theories and methodologies in communication research that would appropriately fit the African context of development.
- Date Issued:
- 1986-06-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review
- Description:
- Despite the prevalence of mass media institutions and 'paraphernalia' in Nigeria, the Nigerian masses still remain marginalized and denied their right to communicate through the conventional mass media. This is due to the structure of mass media ownership and distribution which reflects pro-urban concentration and bias. This article argues that given this reality, one cannot legitimately and accurately talk of 'mass' communication in Nigeria since the media of mass communication is used mainly to talk to the masses rather than with the masses; neither are they used by the masses themselves to talk with each other. To this extent, therefore, there is a state of 'mass incommunication' in Nigeria, a state which calls for urgent change through democratization of the mass media.
- Date Issued:
- 1990-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Africa Media Review