Flattening the curve of imbalance in global information flow: An examination of perceptions of Port Harcourt residents about select African content on Cable News Network (CNN)
Abstract Achieving balanced global information flow is a significant concern to many people. Spurred by the need to achieve qualitative and quantita...
Abstract
Achieving balanced global information flow is a significant concern to many people. Spurred by the need to achieve qualitative and quantitative balance in information flow to the Africa continent, the Cable News Television (CNN), in its programming, has some contents that have to do with happenings in Africa. However, little or no effort has been made to assess perceptions of African audiences about such content. Thus, this study leveraged the development media theory to examine the influence of select African content on CNN on the perception of Port Harcourt residents. Three hundred and eighty-four (384) copies of the questionnaire were distributed to residents of Port Harcourt who were chosen through a multi-stage sampling method. Also, nine (9) broadcasters were interviewed in the study. Findings demonstrate that African Voices Change Makers and Connecting Africa were the most viewed African content by Port Harcourt residents; those programs are helping to bridge the gap of imbalance in the representation of Africa. Respondents perceived selected programs as meeting the developmental needs of Africans through excellent positive portrayals of Africa and debunking stereotypes about Africa. The study calls for more African content in international broadcast programming and demonstrates the utility of the media development theory in advancing balance in the global communication flow.
Key Words: African content, Cable News Network, Global information flow, Port Harcourt residents, Multi-stage sampling method.
JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 14, No. 1, Special Issue 2, June 2022, pp. 123-130
© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).
About the author
*Titilayo Remilekun Osuagwu, Ph.D., is of the Department of Linguistics & Communication Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Article Citation
Osuagwu, T. R. (2022). Flattening the curve of imbalance in global information flow: An examination of perceptions of Port Harcourt residents about select African content on Cable News Network (CNN). Journal of Communication and Media Research, 14 (1, SP. 2): 123-130.
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