Mass Communication

The core aim of this study is to provide media outfit, journalists and would-be journalists with higher education for peace with the aim of promoting among all journalists and politicians a spirit of understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence, to stimulate cooperation among people, and to help lessen obstacles and threats to our internal democracy. Therefore, the study estimate the value of how newspapers in Nigeria, particularly Daily Trust, The Nation and Punch newspapers are setting agenda of conflict/peace journalism in reporting crisis ridden opposition party in their sustainability effort towards solidifying internal democracy; especially the issue of intra-party democracy which is vital to the development of the nation. In specific terms, the study focus on the recent crisis in Peoples' Democratic Party by raising three objectives based on Johan Galtung classification of conflict/peace journalism. Empirical literatures were reviewed in line with the objectives of the study. A selected random sampling of 180 editions of selected newspapers published between August, 2016 to March, 2017 was reviewed using content analysis and discourse analysis research method. Results shows that conflict journalistic frame was the dominant frame adopted by the selected newspapers and stories that employ elite/government sources were prevalent and thereby contributed in escalating the tension between the two warring factions by focusing on groups differences and reaction to early stories. The framing and the social identity theories were also used to explain the study and it was discovered that the way the media have set the agenda and frame the conflict in Peoples' Democratic Party has gone in a long way in determining party members' drive for positive change and identity, self-esteem and social comparisons they make, this to large extent contributed to defection of members to other parties seeking an avenue to protect their political interest and office. Both the quantitative and qualitative data were clearly presented and analysed which helped in answering the research questions.

This study investigates newspaper framing and the prediction of Nigeria's 2016 economic crisis. The press through it editorial contents, has an obligation to alert the public and the authorities on ill economic policies. But studies have blamed media partly for some economic crises in Europe and America for not predicting it coming. Thus, Nigeria economic crisis escalated to recession in second quarter of 2016. This study thus, investigated the role media play in framing the crisis using the types of frames used in explaining media framing of crisisepisodic and thematic frames, conflict, responsibility, morality, economic consequences and human interest frames, predictive frame paired with informative frame. Quantitatively, this study content analyzed 244 editions of The Punch and Daily Trust newspapers in respect of economic crisis stories from January 1 st to August 31 st 2016 using systematic sampling techniques. A textual analysis of the same economic crisis stories were purposely selected and used for the qualitative study. The study found out that the newspapers used more episodic frames than thematic frames. Responsibility frames was dominant (36.7%), though with slime margin compared to economic consequences frame (36.6%). Also, episodic frame (72%) dominate thematic frame (28%). Predictive frame (49%) used less than informative frame (51%). These findings show that newspapers provided solutions to the economic crisis, but also considered the used of economic consequences in a huge number. The newspapers were able to predict the recession coming, but focused more in informing the public on the woes happening to the economy. The study recommended that press should see it as a responsibility to draw the attention of policy makers when issues that are congruent to economic development are brewing.

Political opposition in Nigeria is generally weak due to widespread party defections among opposition party members. These defections are often attributed to socio-economic and political factors, with the media's influence frequently overlooked. Little attention has been paid to exposing the media's clandestine role in contributing to these defections. It is on this basis that this paper examines the role of the media in reporting political opposition parties during internal crises, using the theoretical perspectives of framing theory and social identity theory. Through qualitative analysis of data derived largely from secondary sources, this paper argues that negative media framing of opposition parties is one of the contributing factors responsible for widespread defections among opposition party members in Nigeria, as it erodes their social identity. The paper concludes that the Social Responsibility Theory of the press guides on the role of socially responsible media in reporting opposition parties in Nigeria. The paper also recommends among others, that stakeholders, including journalists, academic experts, and policymakers should advocate for a definite national communication policy that will serve as a guide and operational frame work for Nigeria media.

The core aim of this study is to provide media outfit, journalists and would-be journalists with higher education for peace with the aim of promoting among all journalists and politicians a spirit of understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence, to stimulate cooperation among people, and to help lessen obstacles and threats to our internal democracy. Therefore, the study estimate the value of how newspapers in Nigeria, particularly Daily Trust, The Nation and Punch newspapers are setting agenda of conflict/peace journalism in reporting crisis ridden opposition party in their sustainability effort towards solidifying internal democracy; especially the issue of intra-party democracy which is vital to the development of the nation. In specific terms, the study focus on the recent crisis in Peoples' Democratic Party by raising three objectives based on Johan Galtung classification of conflict/peace journalism. Empirical literatures were reviewed in line with the objectives of the study. A selected random sampling of 180 editions of selected newspapers published between August, 2016 to March, 2017 was reviewed using content analysis and discourse analysis research method. Results shows that conflict journalistic frame was the dominant frame adopted by the selected newspapers and stories that employ elite/government sources were prevalent and thereby contributed in escalating the tension between the two warring factions by focusing on groups differences and reaction to early stories. The framing and the social identity theories were also used to explain the study and it was discovered that the way the media have set the agenda and frame the conflict in Peoples' Democratic Party has gone in a long way in determining party members' drive for positive change and identity, self-esteem and social comparisons they make, this to large extent contributed to defection of members to other parties seeking an avenue to protect their political interest and office. Both the quantitative and qualitative data were clearly presented and analysed which helped in answering the research questions.

This study investigates newspaper framing and the prediction of Nigeria’s 2016 economic crisis.  The press through it editorial contents, has an obligation to alert the public and the authorities on ill economic policies.  But studies have blamed media partly for some economic crises in Europe and America for not predicting it coming. Thus, Nigeria economic crisis escalated to recession in second quarter of 2016. This study thus, investigated the role media play in framing the crisis using the types of frames used in explaining media framing of crisis- episodic and thematic frames, conflict, responsibility, morality, economic consequences and human interest frames, predictive frame paired with informative frame. Quantitatively, this study content analyzed 244 editions of The Punch and Daily Trust newspapers in respect of economic crisis stories from January 1 st to August 31 st 2016 using systematic sampling techniques. A textual analysis of the same economic crisis stories were pur...

The study examined public awareness of the effects of AI-proliferated misinformation on national security and public safety in Nigeria. Agenda Setting Theory served as the study's foundation. Both primary and secondary sources provided data. Questionnaires were used to survey samples of 385 respondents who live in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the study demonstrated that the emergence and domination of information and communication technology, especially social media, in the information environment of the twenty-first century have increased the spread of misinformation. The spread of misinformation by AI affects both national security and public safety. In particular, the speed with which AI-enabled cyber-tools could be used, as well as the possibility for a single algorithm to propagate false information, is now being used to spread misinformation. AI-driven disinformation spreads fear throughout society. Social media misinformation has the potential to influence societal ethnicity and religion. It enables criminals to access public information for heinous activities. To combat insecurity in Nigeria, the government should be practical and use AI specialists on all fronts.

Kidnapping and banditry are pervasive and alarming insecurity issues in Nigeria, with significant implications for national security, economic stability, and social well-being. It has affected the agricultural sector, compromising food security and livelihoods of rural communities. Based on this, the study aimed at examining media representation of kidnapping and banditry, their framing effects as perceived among farmers, their implications to food security. It sought to identify the policy implications of newspaper reports on kidnapping for food security. The study was anchored on Framing Theory and adopted the qualitative Content Analysis and In-depth interview research methodologies to explore the Punch and Daily Trust newspapers report (January, 2023 to December, 2023) on kidnapping and banditry with perception of selected 14 Farmers in Southwest Nigeria on the implications to food security in the country. Findings showed that newspapers made deliberate efforts to frame reports on insecurity having negative implication on food security as it was also confirmed among farmers. Many farmers that operate in security threatening areas are being affected as some have being killed. The study recommended that investigative journalism should be deployed by the media to assist the armed forces in apprehending the perpetrators of kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.

The study investigated how professional journalists perceive citizen journalism practice and ethnic politicking during the 2023 presidential election in Oyo state, Nigeria. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, grounded in social responsibility theory. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were employed to select 20 professional journalists from three national newspaper organizations in Oyo State for the interviews. Three national newspapers were purposefully selected to represent the three main geographical zones in Nigeria: Daily Sun (East), Daily Trust (North), and Nigerian Tribune (West). Findings indicated that professional journalists perceived citizen journalists' practice during the 2023 presidential election negatively describing it as biased, impractical, and influential. However, they also recognized that citizen journalists can provide valuable support in the electoral process by disseminating accurate and timely reports of events. Also, the study found that citizen journalists have a stronger influence on voters' choices during elections due to citizens' heavy reliance on online platforms for real-time news updates. Also, ethnic politics was not only promoted by citizen journalists but also by political candidates, traditional media organizations, and most especially socially active citizens who had affiliations with political parties, candidates, and religious groups. The study suggested that professional journalists and traditional news media need to do much more on online platforms during elections

INTRODUCTION:
This research examines the effect of social media advertising on consumers’ attitudes towards brands (a study of Obafemi Awolowo University undergraduates). The study also considers the factors that enhance consumers’ attitudes towards social media advertising and the effect of these attitudes on consumer behavior towards brands.

METHODOLOGY:
A survey was employed via the administration of questionnaires, which were distributed to four hundred student attending Obafemi Awolowo university in Osun state, Nigeria. A convenience sampling technique was used to determine the sample size and frequency tables and percentages are adopted in the presentation and analysis of the data generated for the study. A descriptive statistical analysis is also used to interpret the result on the effect of social media advertising on consumers’ attitudes towards brands

FINDINGS:
The study ascertained that majority of the social media users are swayed by social media adverts and there is a strong relationship between trust, social media and customers purchase decisions. The results revealed that social media platforms help build customer relationship and loyalty for brands and the most important factor that enhances consumers’ attitudes towards social media advertising is the advert’s informativeness. Findings also show that the most suitable social media platform for advertising is Instagram.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The world is now more of a virtual world. Everyone is on the world wide web looking for answers and on social media maintaining and building relationships. This proves that social media platforms due to its omnipresence and cost effectiveness is very vital for all businesses and brands.
Based on the findings of this study, the following are some of the recommendations put forward:
• Brands should incorporate the use of social media as a tool of advertising due to its ability to reach a wide audience, it’s cost effectiveness and its ability to help build solid relationships and trust between customers and brands.
• Brands should take full advantage of social media features to build customer loyalty. By creating social media communities, brands can create a solid relationship with their customers and draw more customers, building a safe space for their target market.