Marcel Okhakhu

The rigorous nature of academic tasks coupled with financial and social pressures make university students susceptible to depression. While research has shown that depression does affect one's communication skills, there has not been much light shed on the picture of how this affects the Nigerian Mass Communication student - a need that needs to be addressed given the Mass Communication student's need for a good command of communication skills. This study was therefore done to investigate the effects of depression on the communication skills of undergraduate Mass Communication students at the University of Benin. This study was carried out with the objectives of determining the prevalence and causes of depression among undergraduate Mass Communication students the University of Benin, how it affects their communication skills as well as the objective of proposing potential interventions to address the impact of depression on the students' communication skills. The study was anchored on the tenets of the Spiral of Silence theory and Beck's Cognitive theory. The study used a quantitative research design and collected data through a questionnaire which consisted of 24 close ended questions and 3 open ended questions and was administered to 265 students. The respondents were selected using the Krejcie and Morgan Table as well as stratified random sampling technique. The data was analysed using simple frequencies, percentages, and thematic analysis all presented in tabular forms. Findings from this study revealed a high prevalence of depressive symptoms, with 65.7% of the respondents screening positive with financial pressure (26%) and academic stress (20%) identified as the primary contributing factors. The study also found out that depression significantly impaired the affected respondents' verbal, non-verbal and interpersonal communication skills. A majority of affected students reported difficulties with verbal expression (66.5%), speaking up in class even when they had ideas (70.1%), and public speaking (65.5%). Non-verbal communication skills were also severely affected, with students reporting challenges with maintaining eye contact (69%), negative changes in body language (51.7%), and an inability to pay attention in conversations (54%). The challenges in utilizing interpersonal skills reported by the affected respondents were revealed through thematic analysis which highlighted social withdrawal and avoidance (20.6%) interpersonal difficulties and feelings of disconnection (21.6%) among other key effects. The study concludes that depression creates substantial barriers to the development and utilization of core communication skills essential for Mass Communication students' academic and career success. It recommends the implementation of a multi-tiered support system, including accessible professional mental health services, the fostering of peer support networks, and institutional reforms to alleviate the stressors

This research explores the dynamic interplay between online newspaper reporting and public perception of crime and justice issues, with a particular focus on the Nigerian media landscape. As online newspapers have gained prominence in the information landscape, understanding their influence on how the public views matters related to crime and justice becomes increasingly vital. The study delved into the reporting practices of two major Nigerian online newspapers, Punch and Vanguard, aimed at deciphering how their coverage of crime and justice impacts public perception. It employed content analysis as the research method, systematically collecting and analyzing data from a total of 178 editions of both newspapers published between January 1, 2023, and March 31, 2023.The findings of this study offer noteworthy insights. Media organizations, it appears, give considerable coverage to crime and justice issues, but often lack prominence in their reporting. Their interpretative function falls short, as most articles tend to present straight news. Furthermore, the frequency of reporting on these critical topics is not as high as might be expected. The media's standpoint leans more towards the negative side concerning crime and justice matters, with a particular focus on criticism and public reactions to policies.In light of these findings, several recommendations emerge. Media organizations are urged to maintain a balanced emotional tone in their news reporting. Increased frequency in reporting on policy related issues, especially in their early stages, is advised to enhance public understanding. The media should prioritize informative reporting that enlightens the public rather than emphasizing stories of conflict and policy challenges. Finally, a call is made for the media to uphold neutrality, truth, and accuracy in their reporting to present a fair representation of government policies. This research underscores the pivotal role of online newspapers in shaping public perceptions of crime and justice in Nigeria. It contributes to the fields of media studies and journalism, offering a comprehensive examination of how these newspapers influence public opinion and policy making in this crucial domain.

This research explores the dynamic interplay between online newspaper reporting and public perception of crime and justice issues, with a particular focus on the Nigerian media landscape. As online newspapers have gained prominence in the information landscape, understanding their influence on how the public views matters related to crime and justice becomes increasingly vital. The study delved into the reporting practices of two major Nigerian online newspapers, Punch and Vanguard, aimed at deciphering how their coverage of crime and justice impacts public perception. It employed content analysis as the research method, systematically collecting and analyzing data from a total of 178 editions of both newspapers published between January 1, 2023, and March 31, 2023.The findings of this study offer noteworthy insights. Media organizations, it appears, give considerable coverage to crime and justice issues, but often lack prominence in their reporting. Their interpretative function falls short, as most articles tend to present straight news. Furthermore, the frequency of reporting on these critical topics is not as high as might be expected. The media's standpoint leans more towards the negative side concerning crime and justice matters, with a particular focus on criticism and public reactions to policies.In light of these findings, several recommendations emerge. Media organizations are urged to maintain a balanced emotional tone in their news reporting. Increased frequency in reporting on policy-related issues, especially in their early stages, is advised to enhance public understanding. The media should prioritize informative reporting that enlightens the public rather than emphasizing stories of conflict and policy challenges. Finally, a call is made for
the media to uphold neutrality, truth, and accuracy in their reporting to present a fair representation of government policies. This research underscores the pivotal role of online newspapers in shaping public perceptions of crime and justice in Nigeria. It contributes to the fields of media studies and journalism, offering a comprehensive examination of how these newspapers influence public opinion and policy-making in this crucial domain.

This study examined the influence of family communication and sociocultural factors on the intellectual Pursuit of women after marriage in Edo State, Nigeria. The research aimed to analyse how family communication and sociocultural dynamics shape women's intellectual trajectories post-marriage. Specifically, it explored the impact of different family communication styles on women’s confidence and motivation for continued education and professional growth, as well as the influence of sociocultural expectations and gender norms on educational opportunities and personal development. Additionally, the study investigated the intersectionality of ethnicity, class, and geographic location with family communication and sociocultural norms as well as family communication practices, educational policies, and community programmes aimed at enhancing women’s intellectual engagement and success.

Grounded in Family Communication Patterns Theory, Gender Role Theory, Ecological Systems Theory and Genderlect Styles Theory, the study employed a descriptive-correlational design using a mixed-methods approach. A sample of 385 married women was selected using the Taro Yamane formula for calculating sample size, drawn from a population of 9,802 across Egor, Oredo, and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Reliability testing using Cronbach Alpha Statistics yielded a coefficient of 0.76.
Findings revealed that the interaction of family communication and sociocultural factors, including ethnicity, class, geographic location, and family financial status, shapes women’s learning experiences and cognitive outcomes (grand mean = 3.90; highest-rated item mean = 4.01). Conversely, supportive family practices, educational policies, and community programmes are strongly endorsed as effective strategies to enhance women’s intellectual pursuit post-marriage, particularly adult learning policies and lifelong learning workshops (grand mean = 4.23). Furthermore, there is a strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship between family communication and women’s intellectual pursuit after marriage (r = 0.62, p = 0.000). Finally there is a moderate, negative, and statistically significant relationship between sociocultural factors such as gender roles/limited access to educational resources and women’s intellectual development after marriage (r = -0.57, p = 0.000). The study rejected the null hypotheses, confirming significant relationships among the variables. The study concluded that, open and supportive family communication, enhances the intellectual development of married women. In conclusion, the study revealed that, the interaction between family communication and Socio-cultural dynamics can either amplify or suppress intellectual development. Based on these findings, it recommends fostering supportive family environments, revising educational policies, and initiating community-based programmes that promote lifelong learning among married women. These measures are vital for advancing intellectual equity and enhancing opportunities for women in marital contexts.

This research explores the dynamic interplay between online newspaper reporting and public perception of crime and justice issues, with a particular focus on the Nigerian media landscape. As online newspapers have gained prominence in the information landscape, understanding their influence on how the public views matters related to crime and justice becomes increasingly vital. The study delved into the reporting practices of two major Nigerian online newspapers, Punch and Vanguard, aimed at deciphering how their coverage of crime and justice impacts public perception. It employed content analysis as the research method, systematically collecting and analyzing data from a total of 178 editions of both newspapers published between January 1, 2023, and March 31, 2023.The findings of this study offer noteworthy insights. Media organizations, it appears, give considerable coverage to crime and justice issues, but often lack prominence in their reporting. Their interpretative function falls short, as most articles tend to present straight news. Furthermore, the frequency of reporting on these critical topics is not as high as might be expected. The media's standpoint leans more towards the negative side concerning crime and justice matters, with a particular focus on criticism and public reactions to policies.In light of these findings, several recommendations emerge. Media organizations are urged to maintain a balanced emotional tone in their news reporting. Increased frequency in reporting on policy-related issues, especially in their early stages, is advised to enhance public understanding. The media should prioritize informative reporting that enlightens the public rather than emphasizing stories of conflict and policy challenges. Finally, a call is made for the media to uphold neutrality, truth, and accuracy in their reporting to present a fair representation of government policies. This research underscores the pivotal role of online newspapers in shaping public perceptions of crime and justice in Nigeria. It contributes to the fields of media studies and journalism, offering a comprehensive examination of how these newspapers influence public opinion and policy-making in this crucial domain.