"BBC Media Action is helping to reduce the transmission of the coronavirus in Somalia by using a media campaign ‘hello hope: bye bye COVID’ to encourage uptake of preventative behaviours. Informed by research we are challenging attitudes and beliefs around coronavirus transmission and encouragin
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g behaviour change through presenting preventative behaviours as: Being a responsible member of your community; showing you care and respect others; the right thing to do as a Somali. The campaign features: Ten audio PSAs broadcast on national and local radio featuring a witty character called Captain Suleiman, a radio disc jockey who encourages uptake of preventative behaviours while responding to listeners troubles in an ‘agony aunt’ style format. Eight stand-alone video PSAs distributed on TV and social media, produced in a variety of styles and featuring different characters including a caring grandson, a poet, an imam and a visually challenged TV anchor [...] PSAs have reached approximately 4.8 million adults (57% of the Somali adult population), 46% directly and 11% indirectly (see more information on the following pages). Audiences reported that the PSAs had improved their knowledge around COVID-19 preventative measures, with 65% of the PSAs audience reported to have learned ‘a lot’ after watching/ listening to the PSAs. 58% reported to have learned something about ‘handwashing/ hands hygiene’, and 44% reported to have learned something about the importance of wearing a mask. 61% of the audience reported to have discussed the PSAs with other people. This is also a very positive outcome, since discussion within the family/ community is a key driver of behaviour change." (Page 1)
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"This book advances alternative approaches to understanding media, culture and technology in two vibrant regions of the Global South. Bringing together scholars from Africa and the Caribbean, it traverses the domains of communication theory, digital technology strategy, media practice reforms, and c
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orporate and cultural renewal. The first section tackles research and technology with new conceptual thinking from the South. The book then looks at emerging approaches to community digital networks, online diaspora entertainment, and video gaming strategies. The volume then explores reforms in policy and professional practice, including in broadcast television, online newspapers, media philanthropy, and business news reporting. Its final section examines the role of village-based folk media, the power of popular music in political opposition, and new approaches to overcoming neo-colonial propaganda and external corporate hegemony." (Publisher description)
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"The EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU SDGN) project funded by the EU employed a ‘social media first’ approach to strengthen the political knowledge, understanding, discussion and efficacy of young (18-24 years) women and men across all 36 states and FCT in Nigeria. High-impact
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social media content in the form of infographics, short factual films, still photographs, short drama skits and Public Service Announcements were produced and posted under the EU SDGN project (and MI-VotE project) across our BBC Media Action Arewa (Hausa) and Naija (English) Facebook and Instagram platforms to share balanced information on electoral and political processes, role model political participation, and engage young Nigerians in social issues that matter to them. The project also strengthened the capacity of media organisations across Nigeria to provide more trusted, accurate and balanced social media content that meets audience needs." (Page 1)
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"In journalism, there are still growing concerns about the ratio of men to women, even though women's presence in the newsroom have increased progressively. The issues of gender stereotyping and discrimination against women have emerged over time and still remain an issue of great concern. In view o
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f this, using the gender theory, this chapter aims to interrogate the issues of female representation in the practice of journalism in Ghana, in terms of numbers, portrayals, and discriminations. To achieve the aim, the study employs a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews. The study reveal that men still dominate the journalism profession in Ghana. Also women in the newsroom are portrayed on one hand as capable and hardworking and on the other hand as emotional and immoral. Furthermore, women in journalism in Ghana are discriminated against in terms of salary structure and job roles. It was also revealed that female journalists in Ghana are employing strategies like apathy and rebelliousness to deal with the negative portrayals and discrimination against them." (Abstract)
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"This Information Ecosystem Assessment documents how information around the COVID-19 pandemic is produced, consumed, and shared in Sudan contributing to the existence of multiple and overlapping information sub-systems within the supply side of the broader ecosystem. The findings show how the centra
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lization of news production, as well as power and resources, leads to the development of these sometimes-competing subsystems. This is evident through data collected from marginalized groups, such as displaced communities (refugees, IDPs, migrants) and those in communities that host them, who are not targeted by official supply mechanisms of information." (Executive summary)
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"Eight in 10 adult Zimbabweans (80%) say they have heard about social media. More than four in 10 (42%) citizens say they get news from social media “every day” or “a few times a week.” Among those who have heard about social media the vast majority (91%) say social media helps keep people i
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nformed about current events. Half (49%) believe that social media helps people have more impact on political processes. But seven in 10 (71%) also see social media as making people more likely to believe false information, and 44% say it makes people more intolerant of opposing views. Overall, six in 10 (61%) say the effects of social media on society are “somewhat positive” or “very positive.” Two-thirds (65%) of Zimbabweans say social media and the Internet help make people more informed and active citizens, and hence unrestricted access to these platforms must be protected." (Key findings, page 1-2)
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"Six in 10 adult Ethiopians (59%) own a mobile phone. But only 16% own a phone with Internet access. One in three (34%) own a radio, while 14% have a television set and only 2 % have a computer. The most common source of regular news (“every day” or “a few times a week”) for Ethiopians is th
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e radio (50%), followed by TV (24%), social media (12%), the Internet (9%), and newspapers (2%). A majority (59%) of Ethiopians assess the media as “somewhat free” or “completely free.” Only one in four (26%) consider the media “not very” or “not at all” free. But Ethiopians hold mixed views on just how free the media should be. While more than three-fourths (77%) want the media to report on government mistakes and corruption, almost half (48%) say the government should have the right to prevent the publication of things it disapproves of. And large majorities endorse the government’s right to prohibit the sharing of false information (79%) and hate speech (73%). Majorities say social media users (55%), politicians (52%), and activists (51%) “sometimes” or “often” knowingly spread false information or “fake news.” Only three in 10 Ethiopians (30%) have heard about social media. Among these citizens, more than half (54%) say social media has “somewhat positive” or “very positive” effects on society, while 35% see its effects as mostly negative." (Key findings, page 2)
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"As you might expect, there were regional differences among the digital news media in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, which we include in this report. But what struck us most as we reviewed the data were the similarities that emerged among these news organizations as they strive to cover
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their communities and build sustainable business models. Although most operate with relatively small budgets, they have an impact that punches above their weight when compared to the size of their teams and resources. Many specialize in investigative and data journalism, and more than 50% have won national or international awards for their work. Inflection Point International represents the deepest and broadest research ever done into the state of digital native media in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. As with so many things in our not-quite-post-pandemic world, what we discovered was a mix of alarming threats and inspiring breakthroughs." (Executive summary, page 7)
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"On June 25, 2020, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo declared the end of the Ebola outbreak in Eastern DRC – the 10th in the country’s history and the second largest after the West Africa Ebola outbreak. The outbreak recorded over 3,000 Ebola cases and left over 2,000 deaths1. W
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hile the end of the outbreak marked an important milestone, it underscores the important role of partners including those of government and ordinary people in contributing to the end of the epidemic. In the mix of this, Internews was an integral member of the response effort. Over the course of project implementation, Internews produced over 1,300 radio programs which were aired more than 200,000 times on Internews 46 partner radio stations in North Kivu and Ituri – providing a platform for engaging audiences and affected population with accurate, life-saving, and relevant information.
A KAP (Knowledge, Attitude and Practice) survey conducted in December 2020 highlighted the important role and impact of Internews programming on audiences. The survey shows 68.8% of respondents reported to have heard about or listened to Internews radio program, KomaEbola (Stop Ebola). Of those who listened to the program, 93.9% reportedly found it useful and 90.5% credited the radio program for improving their knowledge about Ebola. Also, 91% of respondents attributed change in “certain practices or behaviors about Ebola” to the radio program. The survey also shows that listeners to KomaEbola radio program are 9.6% more likely to take preventive measures to protect their families and 2.8% more likely to name Ebola symptoms correctly as compared to those who did not listen to the program – indicative of the impact of the radio program in improving knowledge, influencing behavior change and promoting positive health-seeking behavior and practices in the fight against Ebola." (Executive Summary)
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"This chapter discusses two cases of new media formats combining journalistic skills, creativity and innovation when communicating risk and acting against disinfodemic, the collaborative website ‘Talato’ for fact-checking on the coronavirus in CAR and the fact-checking online platform ‘Congo C
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heck’ in the DRC. Their accounts feed the discussion of how disinfodemic is spreading in the region and how their communication strategies are serving as riposte against this major threat. The chapter sheds light to how these independent initiatives contribute to halt the pandemic disinfodemic in their localities. It moreover reveals fact-checking procedures and obstacles faced when journalists attempt to access verifiable and official information in settings where press is not entirely free to operate." (Abstract)
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"This introductory handbook to the development of ICT policy in Africa aims to assist law makers, government officials, lawyers, civil society organisations (CSOs), academics and members of the public engaged in the development and implementation of ICT policy. Its primary purpose is to provide an i
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ntroductory overview of the fundamental concepts and regulatory issues emerging in the process of ICT policy making, and to introduce good practice models for how to approach both the process and the issues as they emerge. Recognising that ICT policy making is a complex and developing subject area, this handbook is not an exhaustive resource. It is an introductory guide to support the user in finding their feet in fast-paced and often overwhelming field so that they can participate meaningfully in ICT policy making processes as they also develop their knowledge through further research and direct experience. This handbook seeks to provide users with the overarching principles, good practices and strategies that can be applied in a multitude of circumstances. It may also be used as a training resource. In particular, Appendix 2 provides practical exercises and resources which can be completed in both self-managed as well as facilitated learning contexts to help users of this handbook apply theory to real-world ICT governance problems." (Introduction, page 5)
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"In this book, Leah Komen explores the impact of mobile telephony on the lives of people in rural Kenya. The book analyses the outcomes of complex intersections and interactions between mobile phones, individuals, and the broader society as distinct from the traditional cause-effect relationships in
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the discourse of development in the changing world. It subverts the traditional notion of synchronic development that ignores target populations' involvement in decision-making and sees development from the lens of developed economies where information and communication technologies like mobile telephones have originated. Komen's analysis advances a diachronic type of development that focuses on human technology's interrelationships instead of the synchronic model that privileges technology as engendering social transformations and development. The diachronic model is fundamentally Maendeleo, a Swahili term denoting process, participation, progress, and growth, and views social transformations and development as an interaction between mobile telephony users and their specific contexts. The book argues that the mobile phone has become an increasingly personalised device. It encourages a sense of community through the sharing of the device by multiple users, promotes co-presence and interpersonal communication, enhances kinship ties and social connectedness, and creates new ways of organising and conducting everyday socioeconomic activities. However, it also can disintegrate relationships and remodel some." (Publisher description)
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"This book focuses on ethnic journalism in the Global South, approaching it from two angles: as a professional area and as a social mission. The book discusses journalistic practices and ethnic media in the Global South, managerial and editorial strategies of ethnic media outlets, their content spec
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ifics, target audience, distribution channels, main challenges and trends of development in the digital age." (Publisher description)
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"In Moldova, a series of hackathons led to the development of tech-based solutions to misinformation. In Ecuador, indigenous groups wrote their own stories on Wikipedia to strengthen their culture's representation and publicly correct misinformation. In Uganda, citizen journalists established a netw
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ork to report on underrepresented issues and groups. And in the Middle East, innovative concepts in journalism training are helping the next generation of journalists to become fit for the challenges of the future. These four case studies illustrate the approaches that DW Akademie and its partners are pursuing worldwide to strengthen the public dialogue. The goal is to foster innovation and increase the visibility of underrepresented topics, and to bring together innovators and experts to pool their knowledge and skills." (Publisher description)
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"During recent decades, the question of how societies deal with the past has received increasing attention from political actors, civil society and academia. Yet, dealing with the past continues to be a very controversial issue that causes polemic debates. This book contributes to a cross-regional a
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nalysis of how societies in Latin America, South Africa and Germany deal with a past containing massive human rights violations." (Publisher description)
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