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VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2
August 2024
Joy Joshua Adamu
Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria
Naeem Atanda Balogun
University of Ilorin, Nigeria
Kebesobase Ibiang Ofem
University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
kebesobase.ofem@uniabuja.edu.ng
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ABSTRACT
This study examines the predominant media frames and tonal aspects of the presidential pre-election coverage in Nigeria during the years 2011 and 2015, as presented in the Daily Trust and The Punch Newspapers. The study aims to uncover the underlying connotations within these frames. The analysis specifically focuses on the headlines featured on the front pages of these newspapers. A total of 158 messages, published in the 30 days leading up to the elections between March 17 and April 15, 2011, and between February 26 and March 27, 2015, were subjected to content analysis and critical discourse analysis. The findings reveal that Daily Trust predominantly employed "collective action" frames in its coverage, while The Punch exhibited a propensity for "conflict frames." Consequently, certain front-page headlines were identified as partisan, conflict-insensitive, or outrightly irresponsible, with language serving as a strategic tool for ideological projection and mind control. The study further highlights that Goodluck Jonathan received more negative coverage overall for both years, despite having higher coverage than the main opposition figure, Muhammadu Buhari.
Keywords: Newspaper, Framing, Presidential Pre-election, Change Mantra Election
Siti Haslina Hussin
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia
Jamilah Maliki
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia
Michelle Lim Yu En
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia
Malia Taibi
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia
ABSTRACT
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TikTok is ranked as the most frequently downloaded app worldwide. Although TikTok offers benefits, it also presents challenges, particularly when it comes to academic performance. This study investigates TikTok usage among undergraduate students and its impact on their academic performance. Data were collected from 150 undergraduate students at the Faculty of Language and Communication, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. The analysis of the questionnaire data revealed that 61.4 percent of the students spent between 30 minutes and 2 hours daily on TikTok, while 38.6 percent spent 3 hours or more each day on the app. This indicates that TikTok has become an integral part of the students' daily routines. The findings suggest that although TikTok usage does not significantly affect group assessments, it negatively impacts individual academic performance, particularly in class participation, individual assessments, and final assessments. Improper management of TikTok usage can lead to a decline in academic performance. To mitigate these negative effects, students should be encouraged to practice self-regulation and effective time management when using the app. Whereas, educators should take proactive approach in monitoring students’ academic engagement. For future study, utilizing larger and more diverse samples, including students from different faculties, universities, and geographical regions, could enhance the generalizability of the findings.
Keywords: Social media, TikTok, addiction, academic performance, university students
Li Jiangyue
Nanchang University, China
2021992229@student.uitm.edu.my
Muhammad Hakimi Tew Abdullah
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia
Wan Hartini Wan Zainodin
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia
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ABSTRACT
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This study explores the cross-cultural challenges faced by Chinese film directors based on interviews with prominent directors. This study is structured into five key sections, begin with an introduction that discusses the significance of cross-cultural challenges for Chinese film directors and the impact of globalization on Chinese cinema, establishing the research questions and objectives. The literature review delves into existing research on cross-cultural communication, including its historical context, media representation, and its effects on filmmaking. This study appears to give ways for increasing cross-cultural communication, such as understanding global markets, supporting international cooperation, and attending global film festivals. The research was conducted using qualitative research approaches, specifically in-depth interviews with directors, to better understand their experiences with these issues and identify main hurdles, as well as to examine directors' solutions for overcoming themes. Findings reveal that cultural differences, language barriers, marketing limitations, cultural discount, policy, and censorship constraints are the main obstacles in the international dissemination of Chinese films. Directors emphasized that audiences from different cultural backgrounds often misinterpret Chinese films, language translations dilute emotional impact, and inadequate marketing strategies hinder international success. To overcome these challenges, directors must examine the preferences of a worldwide audience, expand their knowledge of various countries, build efficient marketing strategy, and work creatively around regulatory limits. These initiatives will undoubtedly help to increase the international influence and cross-cultural reach of Chinese cinema.
Keywords: Cross-Cultural Challenges; Chinese Cinema; Film Directors; Cultural Differences
Ibrahim Mu’azu Ibrahim
Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria
Muktar El-Kassim
Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
This study measures the factors influencing rice farmers' acceptance and use of social media for agricultural activities, employing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Using a stratified random sampling technique, data were collected from 357 respondents, with (N=267) valid responses used for Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis using STATA 14. The study analysed the impact of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions on farmers' behavioral intentions and usage behaviour. Reliability and validity of the constructs were confirmed using Hameed, Terziovski, and Terhadost recommendations, while the goodness of fit was assessed through various fit indices. Results indicate that performance expectancy and social influence significantly influence farmers' intentions to use social media, while effort expectancy and facilitating conditions play a lesser role. The findings suggest that enhancing farmers' perceptions of social media's usefulness and leveraging social networks can drive greater adoption. This study extends the UTAUT model to the agricultural sector, providing valuable insights for policymakers and agricultural extension services aiming to promote technology adoption among farmers. By focusing on key drivers such as performance expectancy and social influence, interventions can be tailored to increase the effective use of social media for improving agricultural productivity and sustainability. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on technology adoption in agriculture, highlighting the importance of contextualizing technology acceptance frameworks to specific sectors and user groups.
Keywords: Rice farmers, social media, Technology adoption, UTAUT, Structural Equation Modelling
Raden Ajeng Kartini Nazam Nazam
SEGi University, Malaysia
Harifah Dayana Binti Wan Abu Bakar
SEGi University, Malaysia
Fathin Nur 'Izzah Mohd Taslim
SEGi University, Malaysia
ABSTRACT
Film is a creative medium that conveys filmmakers' ideas through narrative and cinematic elements to engage the audience. It uses signs to communicate messages and evoke reactions, making it a powerful form of media. A film is an instructive storytelling tool that imparts moral values instead of mere entertainment. The film La Luna explores the changes in societal norms in a small village society following a lingerie shop's opening by a city woman. However, the film has received numerous criticisms of cultural and religious concerns. It left some negative impressions on society from different cultures, mainly when they are associated with a particular religion. Therefore, this study is conducted to investigate the signs used in La Luna that challenge the social norms of Malaysian society by employing Roland Barthes' semiotics theory to do a thematic analysis of norms (1. Folks, 2. Mores, 3. Laws, 4. Taboos) that communicate with audiences. The findings of this study show the impact of educational values in films in fostering cultural understanding and awareness, emphasising their roles beyond entertainment as valuable educational resources. It also promotes empathy and tolerance for cultural diversity by showing how communities adapt and change and highlighting the challenges of negotiating traditional norms in a contemporary setting. Besides, this study underscores the importance of using visual signs in films to communicate messages and evoke emotional responses from the audience effectively.
Keywords: Film; Communication; Culture; Social Norms; Sign
Tuti Bahfiarti
Hasanuddin University, Indonesia
Arianto
Hasanuddin University, Indonesia
Muhammad Farid
Hasanuddin University, Indonesia
ABSTRACT
This study analyzes the competence of digital literacy activists in accessing and utilizing information. Literacy activists are important in educating, accustoming, stimulating, and motivating teenagers and children to enjoy reading. This study aims to motivate and maximize the role of literacy activists as agents of change, for example, increasing reading enthusiasm, media literacy, ethics, and wise use of social media. This study refers to a quantitative approach, namely pre-experimental design, namely one group pretest-posttest design. The research sample was 25 participants, namely literacy activists, who were willing and consistent in following the pre-experimental design conducted by the researcher. This study has three indicators: collaboration skills, ability to utilize information, and effective communication. The study results showed a significant positive value in increasing literacy activists' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in improving digital literacy skills and understanding. The practical implication is to maximize the role and function of literacy activists in maximizing the benefits of village libraries as learning resources. Literacy activists can transfer knowledge to the community about the dangers of fake news and the negative impacts of social media.
Keywords: Digital Literacy, Literacy Activists, Reading Interest, Village Library