Reporting on Science in the Southern African Context: Exploring Influences on Journalistic Practice

Matsilele, Trust and Msimanga, Mbongeni Jonny and Tshuma, Lungile and Jamil, Sadia (2024) Reporting on Science in the Southern African Context: Exploring Influences on Journalistic Practice. Journal of Asian and African Studies. ISSN 0021-9096

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Abstract

This exploratory study investigates the journalistic influences on science reporting in Southern Africa, filling the gap that is under explored. South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe are the selected cases. Methodologically, this qualitative study relied on in-depth face-to-face interviews and purposive sampling as designs. The study employed Reese’s and Shoemaker’s hierarchy of influences model as the preferred theoretical framework because it articulates diverse factors affecting news content, categorized from a micro-individual to the macro-social system level. This study found that lack of resources, limited knowledge of science by journalists, and preference for political and economic news have largely affected the quality and frequency of science reporting in Southern Africa.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1177/00219096231224668
Dates:	Date Event 1 February 2024 Accepted 8 February 2024 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Science journalism, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, hierarchy of influences
Subjects:	CAH19 - language and area studies > CAH19-01 - English studies > CAH19-01-01 - English studies (non-specific)
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts, Design and Media > School of English
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	11 Mar 2024 16:44
Last Modified:	11 Mar 2024 16:44
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15331

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