The Utilization of Theological Foundations to Address Digital Space, Social Media, and Misinformation in Zimbabwe

Social media has opened up alternative spaces for the production, distribution, and consumption of sports news across the world. Previously, legacy media were the main spaces through which sports news and commentaries were mediated. Despite these transformations, few empirical studies have unpacked the disruptive impacts of these digital technologies in the global South. Utilising insights from Pfaffenberger’s concept of “technological dramas”, we investigate how sports journalism has been reconfigured by social media in Zimbabwe. Further, we assess ways in which sports journalists are incorporating social media into their everyday newsmaking routines. We also examine the extent to which sports journalists have the appropriate digital skills and competencies required to operate in a multimedia environment. Importantly, we highlight the ethical challenges that Zimbabwean sports journalists are navigating in the digital age. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 15 purposively sampled sports journalists from across Zimbabwe’s hybrid media ecosystem. Findings show that sports journalists are increasingly depending on social media for news production, distribution, and audience engagement. Notable challenges facing multimedia sports journalists include limited access to digital devices and internet connectivity.

Burden of the Beast

Social media has become an important factor influencing voter behavior in modern elections. This study examines the impact of social media on voter behavior in relation to the 2024 presidential election in Sri Lanka. It explores how social media platforms were used for political communication, opinion formation and voter engagement. The research problem is why did social media play a significant role in influencing voter behavior during the 2024 presidential election in Sri Lanka? The main purpose of this writing research paper, critically examine the impact of social media on voter behavior during the 2024 presidential election in Sri Lanka. And also sub purposes are, to identify the role of social media platforms in political communication during the 2024 presidential election in Sri Lanka, to examine how social media influenced voter’s political attitudes, to assess the spread of misinformation on social media and its effect on voter behavior and opinions and to analyze the impact of social media on voting decisions, particularly among young voters. The writing of this article used qualitative method. The sample for the study consists of 100 undergraduate students from the university of Sri Jayewardenepura. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Undergraduate students were chosen because they represent and active voter group that frequently uses social media for political information and communication. Through this study, dissemination of political information, give messages attract attention and quickly through the videos memes and posts, Interactive discussions and feedback such as live debates and comment sections, spread of misinformation easily and also enhanced political engagement and participation daily. Based on the research data, these findings were able to identify how social media influences the shaping of voter’s political opinions.

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to explore the impact of social media on political polarization.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Findings: The findings revealed that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the impact of social media on political polarization. Preliminary empirical review revealed that social media significantly contributes to political polarization through mechanisms like filter bubbles and echo chambers. It emphasizes the need for media literacy programs and critical thinking to navigate these platforms effectively. The implications are substantial, impacting society and democracy. Future research should delve into individual characteristics and cross-cultural variations, while policymakers and social media companies should consider transparency and algorithmic adjustments. By addressing these challenges and promoting informed discourse, we can work towards a healthier democratic environment in the digital age.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Filter Bubble Theory, Spiral of Silence Theory and the Selective Exposure Theory may be used to anchor future studies on political polarization. The study offered four key recommendations. Firstly, there is a need to enhance digital media literacy programs to equip individuals with critical thinking skills to discern credible information on social media. Secondly, social media platforms should prioritize algorithmic transparency and accountability to avoid inadvertently exacerbating polarization. Thirdly, promoting civil and constructive online discourse, discouraging toxic behavior, and enforcing moderation policies can foster a more inclusive online environment. Lastly, supporting independent fact-checking and news verification initiatives can help combat the spread of misinformation and promote reliance on credible sources, thereby reducing the impact of misinformation on political polarization.

This article examines linguistic hegemony and linguistic exclusion in the Zimbabwean print and broadcasting media. The discussion is based on the fact that the media carry language, operate through language and contribute to language promotion and development. Therefore, this article argues that there is need for a sound and working language policy for the print and broadcasting media in Zimbabwe. The language used in information dissemination, public debates and communication can include or exclude some speech communities in the country. However, the language choices in the media in Zimbabwe demonstrate multilayered linguistic hegemonies where English is generally the dominant language, while Shona and Ndebele are hegemonic to the other languages in Zimbabwe. This situation is attributed to the fact that the broadcasting media in Zimbabwe are part of the colonial heritage; that there is a lack of a clear and consistent language policy of the media in Zimbabwe, which is reflective of the absence of a comprehensible national language policy; that the domination of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation leaves no room for meaningful and authentic competing community radio and television stations; that the media in Zimbabwe are business and political organisations; and that the media in Zimbabwe are appendages of the global media system which favour the use of English.

This study delves into the profound impact of social media on body image perceptions and overall dissatisfaction among young adults at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. In today's digital age, social media pervades the lives of young people, shaping their self-perceptions and influencing their social interactions. This research aims to understand how the constant exposure to curated and often idealized images on social media platforms contributes to the development of unrealistic body standards, fostering feelings of inadequacy and pressure to conform to societal beauty ideals. Employing a quantitative research approach, the study focused on a sample of 200 undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18 to 30 years. Data collection utilized systematic sampling techniques and involved the administration of questionnaires via Google Forms. The study drew upon Social Comparison Theory to understand how individuals evaluate their own appearance by comparing themselves to the seemingly flawless images and physiques presented on social media platforms. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics. The findings revealed a significant correlation between social media usage and body image dissatisfaction among young adults. Frequent comparisons with idealized images of influencers and celebrities on social media platforms were found to be a major contributor to negative body image perceptions, leading to a range of negative emotional and psychological outcomes, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. These findings underscore the urgent need for interventions that address the detrimental effects of social media on young adults' mental health. This may include the development and implementation of comprehensive media literacy programs designed to equip young people with the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the digital world and resist the pressures to conform to unrealistic beauty standards. Furthermore, fostering a more inclusive and diverse representation of body images on social media platforms is crucial to promoting healthier body image perceptions and enhancing the overall well-being of young adults in the digital age. References Abi-Jaoude, E., Naylor, K. T., & Pignatiello, A. (2020). Smartphones, social media use and youth mental health. Cmaj, 192(6), E136-E141. Aichner, T., Grünfelder, M., Maurer, O., & Jegeni, D. (2021). Twenty-five years of social media: a review of social media applications and definitions from 1994 to 2019. Cyberpsychology, behavior, and social networking, 24(4), 215-222. Ali, R. (2016). Social Media and Youth in Pakistan: Social Media and Youth in Pakistan: Implications on Family Relations. Global Media Journal, 14, 26. Ando, Kanako, Francesca E. Giorgianni, Elisa S. Danthinne, and Rachel F. Rodgers. 2021. “Beauty Ideals, Social Media, and Body Positivity: A Qualitative Investigation of Influences on Body Image among Young Women in Japan.” Body Image 38:358–69. Asif, M., & Sandhu, M. S. (2023). Social Media Marketing Revolution in Pakistan: A Study of its Adoption and Impact on Business Performance. Journal of Business Insight and Innovation, 2(2), 67-77. Aziz, J. (2017). Social media and body issues in young adults: an empirical study on the influence of Instagram use on body image and fatphobia in catalan university students. Bashir, H., & Bhat, S. A. (2017). Effects of social media on mental health: A review. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 4(3), 125-131. Boske, C., & McCormack, S. (2011). Building an understanding of the role of media literacy for Latino/a high school students. The High School Journal, 94(4), 167-186. Braghieri, L., Levy, R. E., & Makarin, A. (2022). Social media and mental health. American Economic Review, 112(11), 3660-3693. Brown, Z., & Tiggemann, M. (2016). Attractive celebrity and peer images on Instagram: Effect on women's mood and body image. Body image, 19, 37-43. Burnette, C. Blair, Melissa A. Kwitowski, and Suzanne E. Mazzeo. 2017. “‘I Don’t Need People to Tell Me I’m Pretty on Social Media:’ A Qualitative Study of Social Media and Body Image in Early Adolescent Girls.” Body Image 23:114–25. Choudhury, N. R., & Reddy, V. N. (2021). Body image dissatisfaction in young adults: Impact of social media use. International Journal of Education and Psychological Research (IJEPR), 10(3), 15-18. Chu, J. (1997). Navigating the media environment: How youth claim a place through zines. Social Justice, 24(3 (69), 71-85. DeBraganza, N., & Hausenblas, H. A. (2010). Media exposure of the ideal physique on women’s body dissatisfaction and mood: The moderating effects of ethnicity. Journal of Black Studies, 40(4), 700-716. De Vries, D. A., Vossen, H. G., & van der Kolk–van der Boom, P. (2019). Social media and body dissatisfaction: investigating the attenuating role of positive parent–adolescent relationships. Journal of youth and adolescence, 48, 527-536. Dimitrov, D., & Kroumpouzos, G. (2023). Beauty perception: a historical and contemporary review. Clinics in Dermatology, 41(1), 33-40. Lubis, A. R., Fachrizal, F., & Lubis, M. (2017). The effect of social media to cultural homecoming tradition of computer students in medan. Procedia Computer Science, 124, 423-428. Eggerstedt, M., Rhee, J., Urban, M. J., Mangahas, A., Smith, R. M., & Revenaugh, P. C. (2020). Beauty is in the eye of the follower: facial aesthetics in the age of social media. American Journal of Otolaryngology, 41(6), 102643. Fardouly, J., & Vartanian, L. R. (2016). Social media and body image concerns: Current research and future directions. Current opinion in psychology, 9, 1-5. Fardouly, J., Diedrichs, P. C., Vartanian, L. R., & Halliwell, E. (2015). Social comparisons on social media: The impact of Facebook on young women's body image concerns and mood. Body image, 13, 38-45. Filice, E., Raffoul, A., Meyer, S. B., & Neiterman, E. (2019). The influence of Grindr, a geosocial networking application, on body image in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men: An exploratory study. Body image, 31, 59-70. Franchina, V., & Lo Coco, G. (2018). The influence of social media use on body image concerns. International Journal of Psychoanalysis & Education, 10(1). Gillespie-Smith, K., Hendry, G., Anduuru, N., Laird, T., & Ballantyne, C. (2021). Using social media to be ‘social’: Perceptions of social media benefits and risk by autistic young people, and parents. Research in developmental disabilities, 118, 104081. Jiotsa, B., Naccache, B., Duval, M., Rocher, B., & Grall-Bronnec, M. (2021). Social media use and body image disorders: Association between frequency of comparing one’s own physical appearance to that of people being followed on social media and body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(6), 2880. Kleemans, M., Daalmans, S., Carbaat, I., & Anschütz, D. (2018). Picture perfect: The direct effect of manipulated Instagram photos on body image in adolescent girls. Media Psychology, 21(1), 93-110. Lee, H. R., Lee, H. E., Choi, J., Kim, J. H., & Han, H. L. (2014). Social media use, body image, and psychological well-being: A cross-cultural comparison of Korea and the United States. Journal of health communication, 19(12), 1343-1358. Liu, J. (2021, June). The influence of the body image presented through TikTok trend-videos and its possible reasons. In 2nd International Conference on Language, Art and Cultural Exchange (ICLACE 2021) (pp. 359-363). Atlantis Press. Nagar, I., & Virk, R. (2017). The struggle between the real and ideal: Impact of acute media exposure on body image of young Indian women. SAGE Open, 7(1), 2158244017691327. Naslund, J. A., Bondre, A., Torous, J., & Aschbrenner, K. A. (2020). Social media and mental health: benefits, risks, and opportunities for research and practice. Journal of technology in behavioral science, 5, 245-257. Nortje, A. (2020). Social Comparison: An Unavoidable Upward Or Downward Spiral. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/social-comparison/ Pfeiffer, C., Kleeb, M., Mbelwa, A., & Ahorlu, C. (2014). The use of social media among adolescents in Dar es Salaam and Mtwara, Tanzania. Reproductive health matters, 22(43), 178-186. Plaisime, M., Robertson-James, C., Mejia, L., Núñez, A., Wolf, J., & Reels, S. (2020). Social media and teens: A needs assessment exploring the potential role of social media in promoting health. Social Media+ Society, 6(1), 2056305119886025. Pryde, S., & Prichard, I. (2022). TikTok on the clock but the# fitspo don’t stop: The impact of TikTok fitspiration videos on women’s body image concerns. Body image, 43, 244-252. Saghir, S., & Hyland, L. (2017). The effects of immigration and media influence on body image among Pakistani men. American Journal of Men's Health, 11(4), 930-940. Sanzari, C. M., Gorrell, S., Anderson, L. M., Reilly, E. E., Niemiec, M. A., Orloff, N. C., ... & Hormes, J. M. (2023). The impact of social media use on body image and disordered eating behaviors: Content matters more than duration of exposure. Eating behaviors, 49, 101722. Sekayi, D. (2003). Aesthetic resistance to commercial influences: The impact of the Eurocentric beauty standard on Black college women. Journal of Negro Education, 467-477. Shabir, G., Hameed, Y. M. Y., Safdar, G., & Gilani, S. M. F. S. (2014). The impact of social media on youth: A case study of bahawalpur city. Asian Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 3(4), 132-151. Siddiqui, A. (2021). Social media and its role in amplifying a certain idea of beauty. Infotheca—Journal for Digital Humanities, 21(1), 73-85. Siddiqui, S., & Singh, T. (2016). Social media its impact with positive and negative aspects. International journal of computer applications technology and research, 5(2), 71-75. Slade, P. D. (1994). What is body image?. Behaviour research and therapy. Tufail, M. W., Saleem, M., & Fatima, S. Z. (2022). Relationship of Social Media and Body Image Dissatisfaction among University Students. Pakistan Journal of Applied Psychology (PJAP), 2(1), 89-97. Tylka, T. L., & Wood-Barcalow, N. L. (2015). What is and what is not positive body image? Conceptual foundations and construct definition. Body image, 14, 118-129. Virden, A. L., Trujillo, A., & Predeger, E. (2014). Young adult females’ perceptions of high-risk social media behaviors: A focus-group approach. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 31(3), 133-144. Whyte, C., Thrall, A. T., & Mazanec, B. M. (Eds.). (2021). Information warfare in the age of cyber conflict. London & New York: Routledge. Yusop, F. D., & Sumari, M. (2013). The use of social media technologies among Malaysian youth. Procedia-social and behavioral sciences, 103, 1204-1209. Zulqarnain, W., & ul Hassan, T. (2016). Individual’s perceptions about the credibility of social media in Pakistan. Strategic Studies, 36(4), 123-137.

There has been a very significant widespread use of social media by the large sections of the population including in the uniformed forces. This study was assessing the role of social media in transforming police force in Harare Province of Zimbabwe Republic Police between 2010 to 2020. To identify the current services being offered by the police in Zimbabwe. Some of the objectives of the study included investigating the importance of social media use within ZRP in Zimbabwe and examining the challenges faced by police in using social media in the operations of the police. Some of the research questions included what is the importance of using social media in the operations of ZRP and what are the benefits and challenges of the police using social media in Zimbabwe? The research used a descriptive research design as this design suited the topic which is not quantitative in nature. The study is critical to ZRP as it will assist to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the operations of the police force. The research adopted the use of convenient sampling in selecting respondents for this study Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data from the respondents. Findings of the research do indicate that there is widespread use of social media within the Zimbabwe Republic Police. It further indicated that there is official position with regards to use of social media but officers in various ranks have resorted to use of the social media in their operations and this has enhanced the success of the police work. The study concludes by arguing in favour of using social media for police work. Finally, the study recommends adoption of policy that regulates the use of social media within the police force and the police training should integrate the issues of cyber-crime and social media.

Back of the net

This systematic literature review examines the impact of social media on public opinion and its implications for policy-making. Utilising the PRISMA framework, the study analysed 19 articles from Scopus and Web of Science databases published between 2013-2023. The review identified five main categories of social media platforms discussed; Twitter/X, Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), YouTube, Chinese apps (Sina Weibo, WeChat, QQ), and several unspecified platforms. Key themes emerged across these categories, including the role of social media in knowledge dissemination, creation of filter bubbles and echo chambers, amplification of diverse voices, and spread of misinformation. The findings highlighted social media potential for real-time public opinion monitoring, facilitating engagement between policymakers and citizens, and early identification of emerging issues. However, challenges such as information credibility and algorithmic curation of content were also noted. The review suggests that strategic use of social media can raise awareness and mobilise support for global initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals. It emphasises the need for policymakers to understand and leverage social media's influence on public sentiment while addressing associated risks. The study contributes to a nuanced understanding of how different social media platforms shape public discourse and influence policy decisions in the digital age. Future research directions are proposed to further explore the complex dynamics between social media, public opinion, and governance in an evolving technological landscape. Keywords: Social media impact, public opinion formation, digital policymaking, online political discourse, civic engagement.

Social media allows for easy access and sharing of information in real-time. Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, social media has been used as a tool for public health officials to spread valuable information. However, many Internet users have also used it to spread misinformation, commonly referred to as “fake news.” The spread of misinformation can lead to detrimental effects on the infrastructure of healthcare and society. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify the sources and impact of COVID-19 misinformation on social media and examine potential strategies for limiting the spread of misinformation. A systemized search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science electronic databases using search terms relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic, social media, misinformation, or disinformation was conducted. Identified titles and abstracts were screened to select original reports and cross-checked for duplications. Using both inclusion and exclusion criteria, results from the initial literature search were screened by independent reviewers. After quality assessment and screening for relevance, 20 articles were included in the final review. The following three themes emerged: (1) sources of misinformation, (2) impact of misinformation, and (3) strategies to limit misinformation about COVID-19 on social media. Misinformation was commonly shared on social media platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, messaging applications, and personal websites. The utilization of social media for the dissemination of evidence-based information was shown to be beneficial in combating misinformation. The evidence suggests that both individual websites and social media networks play a role in the spread of COVID-19 misinformation. This practice may potentially exacerbate the severity of the pandemic, create mistrust in public health experts, and impact physical and mental health. Efforts to limit and prevent misinformation require interdisciplinary, multilevel approaches involving government and public health agencies, social media corporations, and social influencers.

The novel coronavirus 2019 pandemic has brought about an overabundance of misinformation concerning the virus (SARS-CoV-2) and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) it causes spreading rapidly on social media. While some more obviously untrustworthy sources may be easier for social media filters to identify and remove, an early feature was the cobranding of COVID-19 misinformation with other types of misinformation. To examine this, the top 10 Instagram posts (in English) were collected every day for 10 days (April 21-30th, 2020) for each of the hashtags #hoax, #governmentlies, and #plandemic. The #hoax was selected first as it is commonly used in conspiracy theory posts, and #governmentlies because it was the most commonly cotagged with #hoax. For comparison, we selected #plandemic as the most popular cotagged hashtag that was clearly COVID-19-related. This resulted in 300 Instagram posts available for our analysis. We conducted a content analysis by coding the themes contained in the posts, both for the images and the text caption shared by the Instagram users (including hashtags). The broad theme of general mistrust was the most common, including the idea that the government and/or media has fabricated or hidden information pertaining to COVID-19. Conspiracy theories were the second-most frequent theme among posts. Overall, COVID-19 was frequently presented in association with authority-questioning beliefs. Developing an understanding of how the public shares misinformation on COVID-19 alongside conspiracy theories and authority-questioning statements can aid public health officials and policymakers in limiting the spread of potentially life-threatening health misinformation.

OPINION article Front. Big Data, 01 June 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fdata.2021.623794

PurposeTo understand the impact of mobile social media use on absorption within the customer experience, and overall engagement with the physical service context, a qualitative research study was undertaken. In particular, this study aims to understand the impact of mobile technology use on service engagement by tourists.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, two groups of tourists were sent to a zoo wildlife lodge for one night. Half the group were permitted to use social media during their stay while the other half were instructed to refrain from actively using their social media accounts for the duration of their visit. The following day, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with each couple to explore how the use of social media or refraining from social media use impacted on their absorption within the service customer experience.FindingsThe findings suggest that engagement with their physical surroundings and the overall customer experience was increased when refraining from social media; however, respondents marketed the tourism provider enthusiastically when using mobile social media during their stay, compared with the group that was not using social media during the stay.Research limitations/implicationsDespite a relatively small sample, a series of recommendations for service researchers and service providers have been generated through this research. For example, the methodology used can provide new ideas for researchers seeking to explore service customer experiences and engagement with the physical context. Service providers can also use recommendations around device free days to provide more immersive service customer experiences.Originality/valueResearch within marketing typically does not use quasi-experimental design or paired interviews, as used in this study. Furthermore, the understanding of the impact of mobile social media use on engagement with a physical service environment has received very little attention in the academic literature.

The research aimed to contribute to investigate the impact of social networking media on academic performance, health and social interactions in Oman. It is a causal study as it studied the impact of social media usage on academics, social interactions and health. The study area was University of Technology and Applied sciences, Nizwa. The period of study was from February 2023 to May 2023. The total population of students studying in University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Nizwa is 5692 A sample of 242 students were selected for the study from four departments. Samples were designed from students in each department by using proportionate stratified sampling. Primary data was collected online using Google form, with the help of a structured questionnaire in English and Arabic. The findings of the study revealed that the correlation between social media usage and health issues is 0.174. There is a significant relationship between social media usage and its impact on health. Social media usage contributes only 3% to health issues on the students. The correlation between social media usage and social interactions and behaviour is 0.264. 7% of the variation in social behaviour can be predicted due to usage of social media. It is proved that there is a significant relationship between social media usage and its impact on social interactions and behavior of students. The correlation between social media usage and academic performance is 0.271. Social media usage contributes only 7% to academic performance of the students. It is proved that there is a significant relationship between social media usage and its impact on academic performance of students, their health and behaviour. There is no significant relationship between gender, department, level of study and grade with the usage of social media.

The rise of social media in Zimbabwe has instigated changes in journalism practice, politics and political communication. This paper examines the nexus between social media, journalism practice and politics in Zimbabwe, focusing on the 2018 general elections. The study is informed by the realisation that past studies on how social media interacts with society have tended to focus on a single dimension. Such single dimensions have included social media and newsroom changes, social media and journalism ethics, together with social media and political communication (Mabweazara 2014). No study, however, has attempted to show the connections between all these dimensions, which is a gap that is observable in social media studies. Using interviews with mainstream journalists in Zimbabwe and content analysis of political social media posts, the study shows that newsroom changes are tied to changes in political communication. The results also show that newsroom changes in Zimbabwe cannot be disconnected from political dynamics because journalism practice itself, even before the rise of social media, is shaped and structured by political dynamics so much that contrary to Marxian theorisation, in Zimbabwe, it is the political-consciousness base that determines the economic and other facets of the superstructure.