Audience Perceptions Research Articles

Reality TV, Nigerian Idol, and cultural preferences for Afrobeats music

ABSTRACT Reality TV, particularly Music Reality Shows (MRSs) like Nigerian Idol, has emerged as a significant dimension of television programming, providing a platform for cultural representation and interactivity. Afrobeats, a music genre that originated in West Africa, has gained global acceptance and recognition in recent years with great influence on the global cultural landscape. This study examined the cultural preferences of viewers towards the use of Afrobeats music in the Nigerian Idol reality TV show. Cultivation theory was adopted as the theoretical framework to investigate the level of viewership of Nigerian Idol among residents of Lagos, Nigeria, and explore their cultural preferences for Afrobeats music. Through a mixed methods approach involving a quantitative survey and focus group discussions (FGD), the study gathered data from residents of Lagos, Nigeria. The results reveal a reduction in viewership of Nigerian Idol compared to previous seasons, indicating shifting audience interests. However, there is a significant cultural preference for Afrobeats music compared to other genres of music, particularly those of foreign origin, among viewers who have encountered the Nigerian Idol. This also confirms the growing influence and acceptance of the fast-rising Afrobeats genre. The findings underscore the role of media, particularly television programmes such as Reality TV Shows, in shaping cultural identity and preferences. The correlation analysis confirms a strong relationship between viewership levels and cultural preferences for Afrobeats music in Nigerian Idol, highlighting the impact of television programming on audience perceptions and tastes for cultural artifacts like music. The study contributes to understanding cultural dynamics in the context of Reality TV Shows, music, and cultural entertainment, emphasizing the need for producers to adapt to evolving audience preferences and embrace digital innovations to sustain viewer interest.

Do Users Anthropomorphize AI-Based Virtual Influencers? Unraveling Reddit User Perceptions via Text Mining

The paper aims to understand anthropomorphism concerning people’s perceptions, opinions, and emotions toward AI-based virtual influencers. PRAW (Python Reddit API Wrapper), a Python package was used to facilitate access to Reddit’s API to retrieve the comments and posts from Reddit servers. The comments from November 2018 to March 2024 were collected. A search feature was employed to search for the keywords ‘virtual influencers’, and ‘AI influencers.’ Based on 50,939 comments that were extracted were used for analysis. The findings show that audiences anthropomorphize AI Influencers’ marketing activities and share a common passion for online games. The findings also show that the audience perception of AI-based virtual influencers has seven key categories: uncanniness, promotional activities, esthetics, entertainment, gaming and recreation, identity and social life, and shared passion. The findings also show that the audience has a high level of trust and anticipation.

“journalists are just employees”: Examining Journalistic Autonomy from an Audience Perspective

ABSTRACT Autonomy is a fundamental requirement for the professional practice of journalism. However, while its role in ensuring well-informed audiences is widely acknowledged, the way in which audiences make sense of journalists’ autonomy remains unexplored. Similarly, the understanding of how audience perceptions of journalists’ autonomy, their attributed professionalism and authority, and the resulting impact on journalism practice remains incomplete. To address these gaps, this study conducts a qualitative analysis involving semi-structured interviews with 64 news users in Chile. Results show that journalists’ autonomy, from audiences’ view, is limited by labor forces and organizational influences. Journalists’ working conditions are perceived to be connected to high levels of editorial control, yielding a deficiency of autonomy that relegates journalists to a subservient role, compromising their professionalism, undermining their authority, and eroding the quality of the information they provide. Also, findings show that autonomy assumes a prominent role as a distinct form of authority when journalists diverge from conventional news norms, establishing a closer connection with their audience. Furthermore, independent journalists frequently garner recognition for their autonomy and credibility, attributed to their detachment from specific media outlets. The article delves into the implications of these findings for journalism studies and practice.

Picture perfect science communication: How public audiences respond toinformational labels in cinematic-style 3D data visualization.

Visualizing research data can be an important science communication tool. In recent decades, 3D data visualization has emerged as a key tool for engaging public audiences. Such visualizations are often embedded in scientific documentaries screened on giant domes in planetariums or delivered through video streaming services such as Amazon Prime. 3D data visualization has been shown to be an effective way to communicate complex scientific concepts to the public. With its ability to convey information in a scientifically accurate and visually engaging way, cinematic-style 3D data visualization has the potential to benefit millions of viewers by making scientific information more understandable and interesting. Maximizing the effectiveness of 3D data visualization can benefit millions of viewers. To support a wider shift in this professional field towards more evidence-based practice in 3D data visualization to enhance science communication impact, we have conducted a survey experiment comparing audience responses to two versions of 3D data visualizations from a scientific documentary film on the theme of 'solar superstorms' (n = 577). This study was conducted using a single (with two levels: labeled and unlabeled), between-subjects, factorial design. It reveals key strengths and weaknesses of communicating science using 3D data visualization. It also shows the limited power of strategically deployed informational labels to affect audience perceptions of the documentary film and its content. The major difference identified between experimental and control groups was that the quality ratings of the documentary film clip were significantly higher for the 'labeled' version. Other outcomes showed no statistically significant differences. The limited effects of informational labels point to the idea that other aspects, such as the story structure, voiceover narration and audio-visual content, are more important determinants of outcomes. This study concludes with a discussion of how this new research evidence informs our understanding of 'what works and why' with cinematic-style 3D data visualizations for the public.

Analyses of Physical and Psychological Characteristics of "Squid Game" Characters Using East Asian Biopsychosocial Personality Theories and Body Mass Index.

Media characters' physical and psychological traits are crucial for character development and audience engagement. This study examines East Asian perspectives on the audience's perceptions of the physical appearance and personality, using Eum-Yang biopsychological Sasang theory, of five characters from the Netflix series "Squid Game". A total of 221 university students assessed the traits of five "Squid Game" characters using the Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and a visual Body Mass Index (BMI). ANOVA and Profile Analysis revealed significant and comprehensive differences in the SPQ and its subscales (behavior, SPQ-B; cognition, SPQ-C; and emotion, SPQ-E) as well as BMI among the five drama characters. More specifically, Seong Gi-hun (SGH) and Han Mi-nyeo (HMN) were So-Yang types (high SPQ, moderate BMI), Cho Sang-woo (CSW) and Kang Sae-byeok (KSB) were So-Eum types (low SPQ, low BMI), and Jang Deok-su (JDS) was Tae-Eum type (moderate SPQ, high BMI). Psychological profiling showed two patterns: V-shaped (high SPQ-B, low SPQ-C, high SPQ-E) for SGH, HMN, and JDS, and A-shaped (low SPQ-B, high SPQ-C, low SPQ-E) for CSW and KSB. These results contribute to media psychology by highlighting the relevance of Eum-Yang and Sasang typology for creating and analyzing complex characters, thereby enhancing global understanding for East Asian biopsychosocial theories.

Digital Mirrors: AI Companions and the Self

This exploratory study examines the socio-technical dynamics of Artificial Intelligence Companions (AICs), focusing on user interactions with AI platforms like Replika 9.35.1. Through qualitative analysis, including user interviews and digital ethnography, we explored the nuanced roles played by these AIs in social interactions. Findings revealed that users often form emotional attachments to their AICs, viewing them as empathetic and supportive, thus enhancing emotional well-being. This study highlights how AI companions provide a safe space for self-expression and identity exploration, often without fear of judgment, offering a backstage setting in Goffmanian terms. This research contributes to the discourse on AI’s societal integration, emphasizing how, in interactions with AICs, users often craft and experiment with their identities by acting in ways they would avoid in face-to-face or human-human online interactions due to fear of judgment. This reflects front-stage behavior, in which users manage audience perceptions. Conversely, the backstage, typically hidden, is somewhat disclosed to AICs, revealing deeper aspects of the self.

A Comparative Study of Indian TV Serials and Korean Dramas in the Context of Socio-Cultural Influences, Narration Style and Audience Perceptions

Television series are like a mirror. They serve as a reflection of a society's social and cultural ideals. Similarly, when it comes to Indian TV serials and Korean TV series or K-dramas, both represent their respective cultures and reflect societal values, which is why, they serve as a medium for storytelling. Indian TV serials are often known for their recurring themes of family and traditions, genre-specific shows, and morality. Korean dramas, on the other hand, have become popular due to their intriguing storylines, production quality and their diverse set of genres. Due to its popularity among the public, a comparative study of Indian TV serials and Korean dramas is done by the researcher in the context of socio-cultural influences, narration style and audience perceptions. They also tend to have some kind of impact on the viewers as well as help them form a narrative regarding what they view. Therefore, this study aims to provide a comparative analysis between them to shed light on the distinct characteristics and similarities, as well as differences between the two popular serial formats.

What's the story of the elephant? Evaluation of choose‐your‐own‐adventure activities on public perception of human–elephant conflict

AbstractChoose‐your‐own‐adventure (CYOA) narratives offer immersive experiences that can effectively convey complex conservation concepts, fostering empathy and critical thinking, particularly in addressing issues like human–elephant conflict. Despite their potential, there is limited research on the use of CYOA activities in conservation education. In this study, we created an interactive story centered on elephant conservation, drawing from existing research to distill scientific concepts into engaging narratives and utilizing various modes of delivery (YouTube and live performances) to reach diverse audiences. We conducted postactivity surveys to assess variations in audience perception, learning, and conservation engagement intentions in relation to sociodemographic factors, activity type, and messages encountered. We then modeled the relationships between ordinal responses and explanatory variables using cumulative ordinal mixed models (N = 398). For the YouTube version, we also considered sociodemographic factors (YouTube n = 53, non‐YouTube n = 47). Our findings indicate a preference for live performances over online YouTube activity, with participants gaining knowledge about elephant conservation from both formats. For the YouTube activity, participants strongly agreed that the activity allowed engagement with the character and topic. They also expressed a higher likelihood of participating in several conservation actions, relative to a control group. While CYOA storytelling shows promise for conservation education, challenges remain in simplifying scientific language, assessing its impact on comprehension of complex issues, standardizing outcomes, and effectively communicating knowledge. Further research is recommended to adapt this approach, making it applicable to various audiences and domains beyond conservation.

Marketing Language in Tourism Discourse: Corpus Based Study on Personal Pronoun “You”

This paper investigates the use of the personal pronoun "you" in tourism discourse through a corpus-based study of the Lonely Planet website. As a central element in engaging readers, the pronoun "you" serves to directly address and involve the audience, making the discourse more interactive and persuasive. By analyzing a comprehensive corpus of travel-related texts, this study examines how "you" is strategically utilized to create a personalized experience, guide the reader's journey, and establish a conversational tone in tourism content. The research uncovers patterns in the usage of "you" across various contexts and topics within the website, providing insights into its role in shaping audience perception and enhancing the effectiveness of tourism marketing. This study contributes to a better understanding of linguistic strategies in digital tourism discourse, offering valuable implications for both researchers and professionals in the tourism industry.

Conceptual Metaphors and Event Schemas in the Conceptualization of Neoliberalism and Socialism in Presidential Inauguration Speeches: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Social Progress

Introduction: Neoliberalism and socialism are two political ideologies that have been widely debated and conceptualized in various ways. This study investigates how these ideologies are represented through metaphors in the political discourse of Rafael Correa, Ecuador's ex-president. Objective: To explore how neoliberalism and socialism are conceptualized using metaphors in Correa's presidential inauguration speeches. Methods: The study applied the Conceptual Metaphor Theory and the Event Schemas Classification System to analyze the corpus of Correa's speeches. A bibliographic review was conducted by identifying relevant sources, while those not focused on political metaphor analysis were discarded. Development: The results revealed a clear contrast in the conceptualization of both ideologies. Neoliberalism was metaphorically represented as WAR, CHAOS, CONFLICT, and DESTRUCTION, invoking images of bombs and disasters. In contrast, socialism was associated with metaphors of SHIELD, SWORD, and PROTECTION, framed as a battle to protect society. Correa strategically used these metaphors to persuade his audience and reinforce his political stance. Conclusions: The study concluded that Correa's use of metaphor served as a persuasive tool to polarize neoliberalism and socialism. The conceptualization of these ideologies reflects socio-cognitive and political perspectives, influencing audience perception and aligning with the ideological goals of his administration

Audience Perception of the Representation of Marriage in Nigerian Films

Audience Perception of the Representation of Marriage in Nigerian Films

Audience Perception of Radio Coverage of Lassa Fever in Adamawa and Taraba State, Nigeria

Audience Perception of Radio Coverage of Lassa Fever in Adamawa and Taraba State, Nigeria

Exploring the Identity of Chinese Cultural Relics on British Museum Websites Through Multimodal Discourse Analysis: A Case Study of the Official Website

The aim of this study is to explore the re-construction of Chinese cultural identity in the British Museum's official website and analyze how its exhibition strategies influence the audience's perception and understanding of Chinese artifacts. By employing a multimodal discourse analysis method that combines textual and visual analysis, the study examines how the British Museum's official website presents the identity of Chinese artifacts from cultural, contextual, and formal perspectives. Additionally, utilizing the identity theory from a constructivist perspective, the study analyzes how identity is dynamically constructed, negotiated, and communicated through discourse. The research findings indicate that the identity of Chinese artifacts displayed on the British Museum's official website is relatively weak, suggesting room for more improvements. It is recommended to establish cooperative relationships with museums in the countries of origin of the artifacts to maintain the connection between artifacts and their original cultures, thereby promoting the inheritance of cultural heritage.

Re-envisioning vocational education: critical discourse analysis of a government publicity campaign in Hong Kong

PurposeVocational education in Hong Kong suffers from an image problem. Stakeholders often perceive it as a second-best option for those who fail to advance in academic education. In 2016, to promote vocational education, the Hong Kong government launched a publicity campaign and rebranded vocational education and training (VET) as vocational and professional education and training (VPET). This study critically analyzes the new discourse crafted by this campaign and assesses its potential to change VPET’s status.Design/methodology/approachThis study applies critical discourse analysis to the set of television public service advertisements produced as part of the government publicity campaign.FindingsThe messaging of the publicity campaign consists of two major discursive strategies. One stresses the ability to find self-fulfillment through VPET. The other stresses the academic ability and middle-class status of VPET students as well as the non-manual and high-end career opportunities for graduates. While the first strategy offers a new basis on which to value VPET, the second recreates assumptions about the value of academic achievement and what constitutes respectable employment, even as it attempts to challenge stereotypes. It reinforces that the ultimate goal of education is financial gain and social status. It overlooks other values of education and the potential value of VPET in enhancing individual choice and agency.Research limitations/implicationsDiscourse analysis does not provide information about audience perceptions and interpretations.Social implicationsThe government could consider reframing their messaging in terms of the diverse values and experiences of VPET students. Highlighting the values that VPET students themselves see in their education provides alternative discourses that can better challenge hegemonic ideas.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first discourse analysis of the government’s publicity campaign to promote VPET.

Мовні стратегії в медійному дискурсі: аналіз та інтерпретація

The article analyses linguistic strategies in media discourse, focusing on the British national variant of the English language. Media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing societal perceptions. Understanding the linguistic strategies employed in media discourse is essential for deciphering how narratives are constructed and how information is manipulated to impact audiences. The primary purpose of this study is to identify and analyse the linguistic strategies used in British media to influence their audience. The objectives include a content analysis of media texts, identifying key linguistic strategies and techniques, revealing the impact of these strategies on the audience, and providing practical recommendations for studying media texts. Methods. This research employs content analysis, discourse analysis, and psycholinguistic analysis. Content analysis involves categorising different media texts (news articles, features, interviews) and examining their content. Discourse analysis focuses on the structure and content of the texts to identify how narratives are constructed and which linguistic techniques are used to influence the audience. Psycholinguistic analysis examines the psychological impact of these linguistic strategies on the audience's perception of information. Results. The analysis reveals significant differences in linguistic strategies across various media sources, including newspapers, television, and online media. Key linguistic strategies include metaphors, epithets, rhetorical questions, and irony. These strategies are crucial in shaping narratives and influencing public perception. Additionally, the frequency and intensity of these strategies vary depending on the target audience and the specific goals of the media outlet. For instance, newspapers may employ more sophisticated and subtle language techniques, while online media often use more direct and engaging language to capture immediate attention. The study also highlights the dynamic nature of linguistic strategies, adapting to the evolving media landscape and audience preferences. Originality. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of linguistic strategies in British media, highlighting the specific techniques used to influence audiences. The originality lies in the detailed examination of different media formats and combining content analysis, discourse analysis, and psycholinguistic analysis to provide a holistic understanding of media influence. Conclusion. The study concludes that linguistic strategies are vital in media discourse, significantly impacting audience perception and shaping public opinion. The findings underscore the importance of critical analysis of media texts and provide valuable insights for media analysts, journalists, and linguists. Further research is recommended to explore the evolving nature of linguistic strategies in digital media and their implications for public discourse.

Audience perceptions of AI-driven news presenters: A case of ‘Alice’ in Zimbabwe

Digital innovations are transforming newsroom practices across the globe. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is upending and altering newsmaking and news distribution practices. Whilst there is existing literature on the ever-changing journalism practices due to AI tools in the Global North, scholarship on how these digital innovations are shaping African newsrooms has remained scant. This study uses the case of Alice, an AI-powered newsreader in Zimbabwe, to explore the audience perceptions of this digital innovation. Drawing upon Afrokology, and cultural studies as theoretical frameworks, this qualitative study derived data through digital ethnography and in-depth interviews. Findings demonstrate that there are mixed feelings on the appropriation and use of AI-driven news anchors. On the one hand, some audiences applaud the use of AI news anchors as innovative storytelling techniques. On the other hand, audiences are concerned with Alice’s lack of human emotion, poor accent and perceive her as a threat to traditional journalists’ jobs. Some of the resistance towards Alice indicate a need for decolonising the AI tools in the newsrooms.

How are news portals integrated into daily news habits? A study on news trust, news repertoires and political participation in South Korea

PurposeThe modern high-choice news environment has changed the way people consume news. We examined the structure of news repertories, the role of news trust (and cynicism) in shaping news repertoires, and the effects of different news repertoires on political participation in the South Korean news environment, where news portals function as major news sources.Design/methodology/approachWe conducted a two-wave national survey of adults in January and February 2022 with a three-week time interval. Latent profile analyses and latent profile regression were employed.FindingsFour major news repertoires were identified: news portal-concentrated, portal and TV combination, all except print and SNS, and platform omnivores. Trust in mainstream news media was found to be high in the following order: platform omnivores, all except print and SNS, portal and TV combination, and portal-concentrated repertoires. Cynicism about mainstream media was found to be higher among the users of portal-concentrated repertoire than those using the other three repertoires. Those who rely mainly on news portals for news (i.e. portal-concentrated) were less likely to participate in politics.Originality/valueThis study provides comprehensive insights into how audience perceptions of trust and cynicism toward mainstream news media shape news consumption patterns in today’s high-choice media environment. In particular, the findings of this study illuminate the function of news portals as a substitute platform for those who exhibit lower trust and higher cynicism toward mainstream news media.

Analisis Persepsi Penonton Tentang Fenomena Mistis Dalam Film Badarawuhi di Desa Penari

In this research, the researcher investigates how the audience understands and interprets aspects of mystical phenomena contained in the movie "Badarawuhi di Desa Penari". These mystical phenomena can include various elements, such as local beliefs, myths, or spiritual practices presented in the context of the story. The research will focus on how the representations of local traditions and social norms presented in the movie influence the audience's perception of the culture. In knowing the perception, the researcher uses Alex Sobur's cognitive theory to explore the meaning that exists in the audience. The research method used is a qualitative descriptive method that allows a more detailed explanation of the principles found. The data was collected through in-depth interviews in person and online via WhatsApp with the informants. This research reveals that continuous exposure to horror films can influence viewers' perception and increase their susceptibility to believing in the supernatural elements portrayed in these movies. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that individual beliefs vary and should be respected. Horror films can serve as a window into the cultural beliefs and practices surrounding supernatural phenomena in different societies. Therefore, it is paramount to always respect and value the local beliefs of the community, regardless of one's location.

Audience’s Perception of X (Formerly Twitter) Trends as a Tool for the Nigerian Public Sphere

Purpose: Unlike how we previously knew it to be, the public sphere has evolved to include digital spaces, making them metamorphose into digital public spheres. These digital spaces are more open, accessible, and void of certain bottlenecks. It is, therefore, now impossible to describe a public sphere without mentioning digital spaces. As such, this study aims to find out the audience's perception of X (formerly Twitter) trends as a tool for the Nigerian public sphere. Materials and Methods: The survey research method was used to obtain responses from 200 respondents, using the purposive sampling technique of selecting only X (formerly Twitter) users. Findings: The findings reveal that most X (formerly Twitter) users often utilise X (formerly Twitter) trends to some extent; X (formerly Twitter) trends influence the content of some users but not the majority of them, even if the majority use the feature. In addition, X (formerly Twitter) Trends highlight significant content for X (formerly Twitter) users in Nigeria. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Some of the recommendations of the study include the following: the government should pay closer attention to relevant public conversations on the X (formerly Twitter) platform to understand people’s take on certain issues and how to help them better; they should also partner with relevant agencies to set up regular digital literacy campaigns to help the public effectively engage with social media content on X (formerly Twitter). Also, stakeholders like X (formerly Twitter) should ensure suitable systems are in place for accurate Trends metrics to avoid misleading users with the wrong Trends or content by some users. In addition, X (formerly Twitter) should develop campaigns and guides to help users better understand how to engage with the Trends feature on X (formerly Twitter).

From Screen to Table: How Douyin Food Bloggers Stimulate and Convert Viewer Interests.

In the era of social media, the influence of food exploration bloggers is increasingly apparent. Sharing their culinary experiences stimulates the audience's interest in visiting and consuming food destinations. This paper seeks to understand how the characteristics of food exploration bloggers on the Douyin platform influence audience perceptions of food and locations and how these perceptions may relate to visiting intentions, using the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model. A cross-sectional online survey analyzed responses from 437 individuals interested in food exploration videos on Douyin. The results indicate that source credibility is significantly associated with the stimulation of taste desires and the formation of taste awareness. The audience's taste desire and taste awareness are positively linked to the intention to visit. This study contributes to the expansion of the SOR model's application in digital media, underscoring the substantial role of social media in influencing audience consumption intentions. It highlights that as an effective communication tool, social media can significantly impact users' behavioral responses and consumption decisions.