Humanities and Social Sciences

Special Issue

Digital Media and Cultural Globalisation: The Fate of African Value System

  • Submission Deadline: 20 March 2020
  • Status: Submission Closed
  • Lead Guest Editor: Aondover Eric Msughter
About This Special Issue
Scholars have long-debated whether digital media can directly change and transform social practices or whether such technology simply facilitate prior-existing desire and allows us to do what we want to do, but do it better. Some argue that the widespread use of a particular technology such as digital technology will drive a society in a particular direction. It is argued that digital technology can be used to encourage development and bring about societal-level transformation. However, if countries all over the world use the same technology, then they will gradually converge as the technologies shape them and they slowly lose their distinctiveness. Other scholars assert an opposing view that technologies do not drive societies or us individually. Rather technologies are developed, deployed and locally appropriated for specific intents and purposes that were present before the technology. We use technology to do our bidding and there is no inherent drive or logic that affects anything beyond its immediate use (Marcus, 2017). From this perspective, we are in charge and we deploy digital technologies to achieve our self-interests (at an individual or societal level).
On the other hand, it is articulated in the literature that globalization is not just about the technological innovations used to communicate over long distances. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, it refers to the exchange and intermingling of cultures from different parts of the globe. The globalization of media especially, refers to the content of the cultural products available globally (Croteau and Hoynes, 2019). Therefore, going by the preceding arguments, the journal theme is informed by evidence from existing literature. These various ways highlighted the symbiosis of African core values of modesty, honesty, decency, respect, truth to mention a few fare in the face of digital media dominance. Apparently, this understanding is vital to engaging and dealing with some of the complex and extremely trying issues facing Africa in the 21st century and how those in power seek to address these issues. Indeed, the manner in which Africa faces the 21st century problems will be widely felt across the continent and world. Academic write-ups into this area will render understanding to these complex issues, the manner in which they are dealt with and the myriad of ways in which digital media is being used to advance the interest of Africans and the wider world. Therefore, the position of this theme is that technologies are developed, deployed and locally appropriated for specific intents and purposes that were present before the technology because what people do with the technology will determine the core values of the African culture and since this theme is not properly addressed in other journals, it becomes a point of departure to bridge the gap.

Aims and Scope:

  1. Digital Media
  2. African Value System
  3. Globalization
  4. Media and Culture
  5. New Media Imperialism
  6. Social Change
  7. Critical Heritage Studies
  8. Environmental Humanities
  9. Community Economy
  10. Cultural Diversity
Lead Guest Editor
  • Aondover Eric Msughter

    Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

Guest Editors
  • Hassan Alhaji Yau

    Department of Information and media studies, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

  • Yahaya Abubakar

    Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria

  • Stephen Asombu Saa-Aondo

    Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

  • Opeyemi Adewale

    Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

  • Adamkolo Mohammed Ibrahim

    Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria

  • Tordue Simon Targema

    Department of Mass Communication, Taraba State University, Taraba, Nigeria

  • Emmanuel Onoja

    Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

  • Deborah Phillips

    Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

  • Idris Mohammed

    Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

  • Elijah Ojonicko Akoji

    Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

  • Hauwa Ahmed Jibril

    Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

  • Lawal Umar Maradun

    Department of Mass Communication, Abdu Gusau Polytechnic Talata-Mafara, Zamfara, Nigeria

  • Aisha Rabiu

    Department of Mass Communication, Aminu Kano College of Islamic and legal Studies, Kano, Nigeria

  • Aliyu Rufai Omeiza

    Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

Published Articles
  • Digital Media and Cultural Globalisation: The Fate of African Value System

    Balarabe Maikaba , Aondover Eric Msughter

    Issue: Volume 7, Issue 6, November 2019
    Pages: 214-220
    Received: 11 June 2019
    Accepted: 22 October 2019
    Published: 31 December 2019
    DOI: 10.11648/j.hss.20190706.15
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    Abstract: The study set to examine digital media and globalisation in order to determine the fate of African value system. Digital media can be used to change social practices as well as societal-level transformation. If countries all over the world use the same technology, then they will gradually converge as the technologies shape them and they slowly lose... Show More
  • Foundations of Value Disorientation in Africa: Example of the Nigerian Education System

    Stephen Asombu Saa-Aondo

    Issue: Volume 7, Issue 6, November 2019
    Pages: 209-213
    Received: 31 August 2019
    Accepted: 15 October 2019
    Published: 25 December 2019
    DOI: 10.11648/j.hss.20190706.14
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    Abstract: Human personality is a product of cultural ideologies transmitted via institutions of socialisation – family, schools, religion, and the mass media. The school system is responsible for secondary socialisation of citizens after the family. The major obligation is the purposeful creation and strengthening of personality, to give the citizens proper ... Show More