Communitas

The depiction of Orania in the media (2013-2022): A quantitative analysis using Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Burgert Senekal — 2023-09-30

The current article investigates the depiction of the town of Orania in the media. Being an exclusive Afrikaner town, this town is highly controversial and is often seen as a remnant of apartheid, leading residents of this town to form the perception that the media treats them unfairly. Using Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques, namely a lexicon-based sentiment analysis classification and a machine-learning political bias classification, it is shown that the vast majority of news reports and opinion pieces on this town exhibit minimal political bias, and publications on this town are evenly distributed between left and right political bias. In addition, while the majority of news reports and opinion pieces published on this town are neutral, more publications are positive than negative. However, differences in the depiction of this town based on the language of publications are also discussed, with English publications more negative and Afrikaans publications more positive, and the majority of publications on this town are in Afrikaans. Overall, the study finds that while some individual publications present Orania in a very negative light, in general, the media reports on this town in a balanced way.

The moderating effect of the use of virtual reality technologies in the branding of the cultural tourism sector: an analysis from the brand heritage

Jairo Salas-Paramo — 2023-09-30

One of the main concerns of many countries is the maintenance of their cultural expressions over time. Since these expressions allow for defining the most deeply rooted characteristics of the identity of both nations and people in this way, the purpose of this research is to analyze the moderating effect of the use of virtual reality technologies in the relationship between the different categories of cultural branding and the brand heritage in the cultural tourism sector of a country. To achieve this purpose, using the technique of structural equations allows for finding both direct and indirect relationships between the factors that affect the brand heritage of a country. The sample considered the perceptions of 460 individuals who frequently attend cultural events and who have used event advertising with virtual reality. Within the different results, it was found that there is a direct and positive moderation effect in the relationships between the different cultural branding categories and the brand heritage. On the other hand, while the social and personal brand identities have a positive effect on the brand heritage, the branding equity and brand awe not significant in traditional channels, unlike the virtual reality.

Dynamics of Social Media Metrics and Fashion Subculture Among South African Young TikTok Users

Savanna Gouveia — 2023-09-30

The effect of TikTok globally has resulted in an increase in literature pertaining to the platform. Despite wide acknowledgment in social media, TikTok metrics and how they formulate fashion sub-cultures remains underexplored. This study explored TikTok metrics that resultantly formulate fashion subculture amongst Generation Z (Gen Z) TikTok users. The proposed conceptual framework was developed to assist marketing managers explore fashion subculture interest via various TikTok metrics. This research followed a qualitative approach. Data was collected through structured interviews, using convenience sampling among five Gen Z participants. Thematic analysis procedure was adopted and findings revealed that engagement metrics indicate strong potential in enabling fashion subculture among TikTok users. Furthermore, metrics enabled Gen Z users to discover fashion subculture content through hashtags, engagement in social exchanges through likes and comments, store digital fashion inspiration through saves and spread information through shares. These findings also allow for future studies to explore the limitation(s) phenomenon highlighted in this study. Recommendations were provided for fashion brands and practitioners. As this research suggests, can result in more refined trend analysis procedures as well as applicable direct marketing strategies through TikTok.

THE ROLE OF STRATEGIC MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS IN REDUCING FOOD LOSS AND WASTE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Olebogeng Selebi — 2023-09-30

Food loss and waste is a wicked problem (a problem with no single solution). This problem is addressed by SDG 12. Solving this wicked problem in South Africa requires the collaboration of a variety of stakeholders, all with their own organisational interests. Therefore, multi-stakeholder partnerships (MSP) are imperative to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3, which focuses on the reduction of food waste. This qualitative case study unpacks the necessity for the use of multi-stakeholder partnerships (SDG 17) in achieving SDG 12.3. The South African Food Loss and Waste Voluntary Agreement (SAFLWVA) is the multi-stakeholder partnership being studied in this article. Multi-stakeholder partnerships cannot be effective without strategic communication. Therefore, the barriers and enablers of strategic communication, within a multi-stakeholder partnership of this nature, are explored. The was conducted in South Africa, with stakeholders involved with the SAFLWVA. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants. The findings indicate that strategic communication is one of the pillars of a successful multi-stakeholder partnership. Additionally, the following enablers for successful communication in MSPs were identified: trust, information sharing, education about benefits, receiving value, and gaining ownership. The study contributes to our understanding of communication barriers and enablers within multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Exploring non-profit organisations’ communication channels and message content

Sabryna Joanne Tsinga Mambadja — 2023-12-11

Currently, organisations have to decide which communication channel to use due to changes in the media landscape. Communication occurs through various channels, such as television, radio, print, email, phone, social media, and messaging apps. Each channel has its own set of rules, conventions, and nuances, which influence how messages are interpreted and received. This study investigated ways in which non-profit organisations in South Africa communicate their corporate social responsibility efforts. A survey questionnaire was distributed to 245 employees of nonprofit organisations in Gauteng province, South Africa, and data were analysed using SPSS software. The findings identified meetings as one of the most frequently employed approaches for internal communication. Further, this study found that NPOs preferred older or established means of communication over newer media. More specifically, non-electronic media such as meetings and word-of-mouth were used more than electronic media such as emails or SMS messaging, whereas social media was used less frequently than electronic media. This study adds to the existing literature on corporate social responsibility communication by highlighting the types of messages and diverse communication channels used by South African nonprofit organisations. It provides information that can be utilised to comprehend the different communication channels used by non-profit organisations.

Public responses to multiphased fear and pro-social emotional appeals from the South African government’s covid-19 health communication strategies

Elizabeth Lubinga — 2023-09-30

Globally, using emotional appeals as communication strategies to influence public behavioural change has been popular for containment of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research shows that the uptake of health messaging is often partly influenced by audience responses to emotional appeal strategies employed. This study assessed responses by South African audiences to COVID-19 emotional appeal messages. The Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) was applied. A quantitative survey analysed responses of over 1000 participants. Results indicate that government officials used a tailored and mixed multi-phased communication strategy mirroring fear and pro-social appeal messages to the intensity of recurring multiple COVID-19 waves. The most recurring emotional responses by participants were concern, worry and sadness, conversely gloom and surprise. This study provides insight into effective, audienceresponsive messaging for longstanding health crises by health promotion organisations including governments.

What Gets into the Media:The Case of Media Bias in Vietnam During COVID-19

Tuong-Minh Ly-Le — 2023-09-30

This study investigated the coverage of COVID-19 in Vietnam to understand what types of information can be published, how accurate it is, and if media bias exists. The results show that media biases are more clearly presented during the gathering and editing stages of news production. Although COVID-19 received a heightened frequency of reporting, news articles about this topic had limited use of sources, provide mostly general information and statistics, and lack of scientific quality. These results are intended to provide public health authorities and news audience with an understanding of how a health event is presented in the media.

This is Undignified! Comparing the Representation of Human Dignity on Cheaters and Uyajola 9/9

Motsamai Molefe — 2023-09-30

Calls have resonated within media scholarship and practice for more ethical oversight in the production and distribution of media content by producers through ethical frameworks. This article intervenes in the literature on the global debate around media ethics frameworks by focusing on the underexplored
value of human dignity in the context of television reality shows. The article makes two interventions in relation to the value of dignity, one theoretical and another applied. The theoretical intervention, contrary to the tendency to rely on Western cultures and theories to conceptualise human dignity, draws from a Global South perspective, specifically from the African ethical idea of Ubuntu that proffers a relational (as opposed to an individualist) conception of human dignity. The applied ethics intervention responds to the scant literature focusing on the representation of human dignity in media ethics. The article uses Ubuntu’s theory of human dignity to compare the representation of participants on similar factual television shows from the United States of America (USA) and South Africa depicting relational infidelity. Multimodal critical discourse analysis from three episodes of Cheaters and three episodes of South Africa’s Uyajola 9/9 (n=6) reveal that human dignity in the representation of the participants in these two shows is often neglected in the media production process, leaving many questions about the global and local media ethics of these two reality shows.

Safety of Journalists from a Gendered Perspective: Evidence from Female Journalists in Ghana’s Rural and Peri-Urban Media

Theodora Dame Adjin-Tettey — 2023-09-30

This study sought to explore the safety risks female journalists working in Ghana`s rural and peri-urban media encounter while doing their work, how safe they feel and how they are coping with safety breaches. Thirteen semi-structured interviews with female journalists employed by Ghanaian broadcast media outlets in rural and peri urban areas were undertaken. Guided by Braun and Clark’s (2006) six steps for qualitative data analysis, interview transcripts were thematically analysed. It was found that physical and emotional security threats; poor working conditions were the main threats to female journalists working in Ghana’s rural and peri urban media. While there are generally bad working conditions, some participants believe that men receive more benefits and opportunities for professional growth than women. Compared to their male peers, females are occasionally ridiculed and refused training and professional opportunities. When there are safety violations, employers generally offer little assistance. Female journalists cope with violations and insecurities by self-censoring, avoiding working during specific hours of the day, and steering clear of reporting conflicts, politics, and elections as a safety measure. The study recommends that to avoid maladaptive actions by journalists, media organisations address the safety needs of their female journalists. Journalists themselves should look out for personal security initiatives to enhance their skills.

The Impact of a one-day adventure-based experiential lernaing programme on the communication competence of adult learners at a business school

Dalmé Mulder — 2023-09-30

In today’s dynamic business environment, every avenue that can contribute to fostering business performance has to be embraced. Interest in the contribution of communication to organisational effectiveness and performance has increased considerably in the last few decades. Despite positive claims made by advocates of adventure-based experiential learning programmes (AEL), the expansion of AEL into business schools and the corporate world necessitates ongoing empirical investigations. The aim of the study was to determine the developmental impact of a one-day programme on the communication competence of adult learners at a business school. The Communicative Adaptability Scale was administered as pre- and post-test measurement to adult learners with a permanent work appointment who enrolled for a qualification in management leadership in a business school at a university in South Africa. The overall post-test scores of the experimental group (n=140) were significantly higher (p=0.0001) than the post-test scores of the control group (n=126). The post-test scores of five dimensions differed significantly (p<0.05) from the post-test scores of the control group. The findings indicate the potential efficacy of an AEL course for the development of communication competence in adult learners. Ongoing research directed at principles underlying the application of particular methodologies and other programmatic factors to maximise efficacy in reaching the desired outcomes of the interventions, are required.

The Role of Digital Transformation in Enhancing Communication: A Case Study of OR Tambo District Municipality in South Africa

Nelson Nciweni — 2023-09-30

This study delved into the digital communication strategies of the OR Tambo District Municipality in South Africa, a region characterised by its rural nature and high poverty levels. The aim was to understand the character of the Municipality’s digital communication strategies, evaluate their efficacy, and propose evidence-based recommendations for enhancement. The study was predicated on the necessity for local governments to align their communication strategies with technological advancements whilst considering the socioeconomic realities of their constituents. The research employed a comprehensive examination of the current digital communication tools, platforms, and techniques utilised by the Municipality, and assessed their effectiveness based on their reach, accessibility, and impact. The study identified areas of strength and weakness in the current communication strategies and proposed recommendations for enhancing digital communication within the Municipality. The findings underscored the importance of inclusive and effective digital communication strategies in local governments, particularly in rural areas. The study concluded that the OR Tambo District Municipality could enhance communication, improve service delivery, and foster greater engagement with residents by effectively leveraging digital technologies. The research contributes to the burgeoning body of literature on digital communication in local government and provides a roadmap for other rural municipalities seeking to leverage digital technologies to improve their communication strategies.

South African Silences, Japanese Erasures: Blackman Ngoro and the Persistence of Apartheid

2023-09-30

This article is a “forensic inductive” reflection on the silences and erasures, in South Africa and Japan, that mark the last years of Zimbabwean journalist, Roderick Blackman Ngoro. Ngoro was ostracised in South Africa after he penned a controversial blog article about “Coloureds”. After the affair, Ngoro relocated to Japan, continuing his journalistic research on racism. He returned quietly to South Africa a few years later to pursue doctoral studies at Wits University. In late January 2010, Ngoro was found dead in his room at the university. Police did not suspect any foul play. I deploy a purposive set of snapshots as part of a reflection on how Ngoro’s last few years in South Africa and Japan illustrate the persistence of apartheid. I consider the problem of undetectable crimes scenes by means of specific inductive forensics of snapshots that allow a demonstration of how, at the crime scenes of apartheid, no foul play is detectable. Forensic induction is a methodology drawn from my emerging work in Apartheid Studies, seeking to explain how the worlds of the oppressed are crime scenes in which people live with harm and live in harm’s way. I conclude that the complex ironies that attended Ngoro’s last few years cannot make sense if not looked at through the lens of apartheid as a paradigm and theoretical framework (by which to detect persistent crime scenes). Such a paradigm has utility in detecting the persistence of harm from South Africa to Japan.