MASS COMMUNICATION

This study examines the factors motivating the choice of study of Mass Communication among undergraduates in the University of Benin. Evolving media technologies and innovations have significantly expanded career opportunities in mass communication. However, issues of professionalism and dwindling ethical standards have been constant threats to the prestige of the profession. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the social responsibility theories provided theoretical justification for the study. Using the simple random sampling technique, 366 students of Mass Communication from 100- 400 level participated in a field survey. Findings revealed that personal ambition, career opportunities and prestige are some of the factors motivating the choice of mass communication as a career. The study thus concludes that there is the need for mass communication students to be taught under better conditions and promote practical of the Mass Communication discipline in order to improve the motivation of the study of Mass communication.

The study examined on perception of Netizens on cross gender issues: a study of Mass Communication students of the University of Benin, (UNIBEN), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the awareness level of students of Mass Communication of (UNIBEN), University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria, about cross-gender issues, examines the role of social media in constructing perceptions of cross-gender issues among university students. Premised on the Framing and Uses and Gratifications Theories, the researcher adopted the survey research method to gather data for the study. The major findings of the research revealed that there is high level of awareness about cross gender issues among students of Mass Communication, UNIBEN. Base on the findings, the research concluded that the awareness level of students of Mass Communication of the university of Benin about cross gender issues is high. The researcher therefore recommended among other things that there should be need to promote media literacy education among students, there should be peer education program where students can educate one another and learn from each other regarding issues of gender identities and being inclusive. The researcher also recommended that there should be curriculum inclusion of gender identity, diversity and inclusiveness within the course structure of mass communication.

The study examined on the perception of mass media as tools for sensitizing the public about infectious pandemic: a case study of corona virus in Benin City, Nigeria. Survey method was adopted and the instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire. Using the Taro Yameni formula, 400 people were sampled from the population of 1,495,800 in Benin City being the capital of Edo state, these Statistic figures of 2016 population census, during the cause of this survey. 400 questionnaires were distributed through the city and all 342 were retrieved. Data collected was analyzed in tables and simple percentages. The media play an important role in the dissemination of information on the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), first identified in Wuhan China in December2019, has rapidly spread to almost every region of the world. To prevent spread of the virus, civil societies and government agencies embarked on enlightenment campaigns for good hygiene and social distancing. However, it is important to measure whether the population is receiving information that calms it down, as well as whether such news are in accordance with the magnitude of the issue. This study assessed knowledge and perceptions about COVID-19 among the general public in Nigeria during the initial week of the pandemic lockdown in the country. The findings affirm that Nigerians are highly knowledgeable about COVID-19 and their premier sources of information about the pandemic is the social media. Covid -19 pandemic is one of the major public health concerns in the country. Using the mass media in creating the awareness through the media campaign of breast cancer has become imperative.