Influence of Smartphone Ownership on the Practice and Growth of Citizen Journalism among Uyo Residents
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64229/yz73sq53Keywords:
Smartphone, Ownership, Practice, Citizen Journalism, UyoAbstract
This study investigates the relationship between smartphone ownership and the practice of citizen journalism among residents of Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Adopting a descriptive survey design, data were collected through structured questionnaires and key informant interviews administered to adult respondents. Findings reveal near universal smartphone ownership (95.3%), with a substantial proportion of residents (77.5%) engaging in citizen journalism practices such as capturing, sharing, and commenting on news events. WhatsApp (65.2%) and Facebook (57.3%) were identified as the dominant platforms used for dissemination, while major challenges included misinformation, harassment, high internet costs, and concerns over credibility. Statistical analyses confirmed a significant relationship between smartphone ownership and participation in citizen journalism, with education emerging as a strong predictor of engagement. The study concludes that smartphones have democratized news production in Uyo, empowering ordinary citizens to participate actively in the media ecosystem, albeit with persistent ethical and infrastructural challenges. It recommends digital literacy campaigns, affordable internet policies, protective legal frameworks, and collaborations between professional and citizen journalists to enhance credibility and sustainability. This research contributes to scholarship by addressing a notable gap in the literature concerning smartphone-enabled citizen journalism within Uyo, providing both theoretical and practical insights for media policy, governance, and civic empowerment.
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