Traditional News Media as Agents of Authenticity: Nigerian Audiences Weathering the Onslaught of New Media Streaming
Motilola Akinfemisoye-Adejare
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsConceptual Clarification
It is unclear what the stance is here. The blurring of lines as a result of social media has given rise to a new breed of journalists - some of whom are well-trained in the field and others who are citizen journalists, as the author says. I believe there are changes in the practices that the author should reflect in clarification, for example - "the consequence is flooding of the information and news gathering and dissemination space with all manners of news and information without recourse to the traditional practices of checks and balances.". This appears to be a broad stroke applied to all and doesn't account for journalists, who are what I call hybrids.
The literature review is clear and recent.
Theoretical considerations
The use of conspiracy theory can be applicable in this instance. It would be interesting to know if the author considered other frameworks such as cultivation theory and agenda setting theory, which would offer a broader understanding of how media shapes information consumption and perceptions, as these allow for a more nuanced insight into media influence. You do mention the spread of misinformation and distrust, which aligns with conspiracy theory. You might consider combining elements of other frameworks to create a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.
Research methods
The research methods states survey method which was conducted on a train containing 88 people in a geographical area. This might not be representative enough and doesn't mention the demographic of the people - are they working class, students etc, what is the age range, educational classification of the respondents? This poses a problem with data received.
The authors drew from WhatsApp Groups - it is unclear what was drawn? I had assumed that the author would ask questions in the WhatsApp groups they belong and give us an idea of the nature of these groups and an overview of the composition of the membership.
This research method doesn't provide enough balance but rather lends itself quite heavily to the conspiracy theory. Please review research methods.
What are the implications of the findings for the future of journalism in Nigeria, especially with the proliferation of these platforms and their use for politics and news?
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageGood use and command of the English language. Some minor edits are required in sentence restructuring to avoid wordy sentences.
Author Response
Reviewer 1’s comment
It is unclear what the stance is here. The blurring of lines as a result of social media has given rise to a new breed of journalists- some of whom are well-trained in the field and others who are citizen journalists, as the author says. I believe there are changes in the practices that the author should reflect in clarification, for example - "the consequence is flooding of the information and news gathering and dissemination space with all manners of news and information without recourse to the traditional practices of checks and balances.". This appears to be a broad stroke applied to all and doesn't account for journalists, who are what I call hybrids.
Response
The implication of the above statement is that the non-professional media practitioners/citizen journalists have taken over the media space to the point of making nothingness of some of hybrid/professionals in the field. In other words, citizen journalists are more visible than the few hybrid/professionals that now had to contend to be heard.
Reviewer 1’s comment
The use of conspiracy theory can be applicable in this instance. It would be interesting to know if the author considered other frameworks such as cultivation theory and agenda setting theory, which would offer a broader understanding of how media shapes information consumption and perceptions, as these allow for a more nuanced insight into media influence. You do mention the spread of misinformation and distrust, which aligns with conspiracy theory. You might consider combining elements of other frameworks to create a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.
Response
In as much as Agenda Setting and Cultivation theories are both suitable and could be applied to this study, the conspiracy theory is adopted for its succinctness and applicability.
Reviewer 1’s comment
The research methods states survey method which was conducted on a train containing 88 people in a geographical area. This might not be representative enough and doesn't mention the demographic of the people - are they working class, students etc, what is the age range, educational classification of the respondents? This poses a problem with data received.
The authors drew from WhatsApp Groups - it is unclear what was drawn? I had assumed that the author would ask questions in the WhatsApp groups they belong and give us an idea of the nature of these groups and an overview of the composition of the membership.
This research method doesn't provide enough balance but rather lends itself quite heavily to the conspiracy theory. Please review research methods.
Response
There were six coaches made up of 1 First class and 5 standard Coaches with each coach having officially 88 passengers. This totalled 528. This was also the case on the return trip. In all 1056 passengers made up the population, excluding those without seats. This population comprised people from all walks of life. However, without recourse to gender balance, 5% (53) of the population was purposively selected and interviewed. These had various level of education—undergraduate through postgraduate. Curiously, notwithstanding their educational level(s), not a single passenger had a newspaper or magazine to while away the time unlike before the advent and proliferation of internet and smart phone, where travellers newspapers and literature.
The geographical spread of the respondents cut across ethnic boundaries and therefore, it is a representative of Nigeria. Recall that the focus was not on any particular segment of the nation. Moreover, being a train from Abuja, FCT, to the South, it had passengers that cut across state boundaries, who were among the respondents.
The authors purposively drew primary data from WhatsApp Group Platforms (WGP) to which they belong, as the most suitable of the new/social media with access to all manners of news sources. Some of the WhatsApp groups include, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), National and State chapters, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) National and State chapters, National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET), among others.
Reviewer 1’ s comment
What are the implications of the findings for the future of journalism in Nigeria, especially with the proliferation of these platforms and their use for politics and news?
Response
The dependence on social media for news gathering and dissemination does not portend well for journalism practice in Nigeria. This is because citizen journalism is froth with unethical practices that hamper professional journalism practice. It also does not augur well for the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), as its membership becomes depleted as citizen journalism through social media is open to all-comers.
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThank you for sharing your research in this manuscript. While the article generally reads well, there are some areas that would benefit from some attention and revision:
There is no mention of how you referenced the writers of the WhatsApp posts. While you included one of the writers of the pets in your reference list, there are others cited in the text that do not make it to the reference list such as "Barr Kalu Kali" pg 7 lines 314-315.
It would be visually appealing to consider separating the WhatsApp posts quoted in the manuscript so that it is distinguished from the author(s)' analysis.
There is also a lack of consistency with how the analyses WhatsApp posts are referenced. In some instances, the author's name is mentioned, while in others like the example on page 7 lines 317-325, there is no reference beyond the date that the post was retrieved.
Along along the lines of referencing, was the permission of those whose posts were referenced sought before their names appeared in print? It would be useful to clarify how the author went about this.
On page 8, line 368, the author argues thus:
"c) it is a ready source of fun and cruise". What does cruise mean in this context? While I seem to understand that the use of the word "cruise" in this context, as a Nigerian slang could mean 'to relax", or something along those lines, this is not common knowledge. If the author decides to stick with this word, there needs to be a contextualization of how it is used, but more importantly it should not be let as though it is retaining its denotative meaning or other slang meanings.
Page 9 Line 423: $160 million as the price of each of the SUVs for Nigerian senators is factually wrong. This is N160 million (160 million Naira)and not in dollars as stated here. Author could provide the approximate dollar equivalent in bracket for context.
Page 9 Lines 425-426 could benefit from being rephrased. In its current state from "With this scenario, why citizens not..." reads like a journalistic conclusion.
Page 9 line 444: Please consider rephrasing " hot"
Please take another look at how the reference list is presented: Line 483 on page 10 should be part of the reference on number 5, and not number 6 as is currently presented. This is also the case with number 11, line 488 page 10
Reference quoted in the reference list as number 10 (Dictionary.com) was not cited within the text.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageThe manuscript mostly reads well but would benefit from some attention to stylistic issues.
Author Response
Reviewer 2’s comment
There is no mention of how you referenced the writers of the WhatsApp posts. While you included one of the writers of the pets in your reference list, there are others cited in the text that do not make it to the reference list such as "Barr Kalu Kali" pg 7 lines 314-315.
Response
The WhatsApp posts are primary sources and s such can only be cited in-text and should therefore not reflect in the reference list. Barr. Kalu Kalu’s inclusion has been corrected.
Reviewer 2’s comment
It would be visually appealing to consider separating the WhatsApp posts quoted in the manuscript so that it is distinguished from the author(s)' analysis.
Response
Done. WhatsApp sources separated from analysis
Reviewer 2’s comment
There is also a lack of consistency with how the analyses WhatsApp posts are referenced. In some instances, the author's name is mentioned, while in others like the example on page 7 lines 317-325, there is no reference beyond the date that the post was retrieved.
Response
Noted. WhatsApp posts are now only cited in-text as there is no format to referencing such posts in the bibliography section
Reviewer 2’s comment
Along along the lines of referencing, was the permission of those whose posts were referenced sought before their names appeared in print? It would be useful to clarify how the author went about this.
Response
The posts used are in the public domain and mostly repost.
Reviewer 2’s comments
On page 8, line 368, the author argues thus:
"c) it is a ready source of fun and cruise". What does cruise mean in this context? While I seem to understand that the use of the word "cruise" in this context, as a Nigerian slang could mean 'to relax", or something along those lines, this is not common knowledge. If the author decides to stick with this word, there needs to be a contextualization of how it is used, but more importantly it should not be let as though it is retaining its denotative meaning or other slang meanings.
Response
Done. Cruise has been conceptualized
Reviewer 2’s comments
Page 9 Line 423: $160 million as the price of each of the SUVs for Nigerian senators is factually wrong. This is N160 million (160million Naira)and not in dollars as stated here. Author could provide the approximate dollar equivalent in bracket for context.
Response
Noted. Error has been corrected
Reviewer 2’s comments
Page 9 Lines 425-426 could benefit from being rephrased. In its current state from "With this scenario, why citizens not..." reads like a journalistic conclusion.
Response
Done. Sentence rephrased
Reviewer 2’s comments
Please consider rephrasing " hot"
Response
Noted. However, this is in order. In journalism, “hot news” also refers to breaking news
Reviewer 2’s comments
Please take another look at how the reference list is presented: Line 483 on page 10 should be part of the reference on number 5, and not number 6 as is currently presented. This is also the case with number 11, line 488 page 10
Reference quoted in the reference list as number 10 (Dictionary.com) was not cited within the text.
Response
Noted. Corrected and formatted using the APA 7th Edition style sheet. Also Dictionary.com has been replaced.
