THE USE OF SMARTPHONES FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM: A CASE STUDY OF ACILA-TIGER EYE PROJECT OF USING SMARTPHONES TO FIGHT CORRUPTION

0
739

ABSTRACT

This study explores the use of smartphones for investigative journalism by participants in an Africa Center for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) -Tiger Eye Project of using smartphones to fight corruption.

The study seeks to find out how investigative journalists, who participated in the special training project on investigative journalism, are using smartphones in their line of work. Existing literature has established that professionals in various fields have been using smartphones including investigative journalists in other jurisdictions like Europe and United States of America. The objective of the study was to find out what the situation pertains in Ghana.

The theoretical framework for the study was the Technological Acceptance Model. The qualitative approach was used to gather data from 10 respondents that were sampled for the study.

The study found out that respondents used smartphones in several ways including for their undercover work, which involves visual content production and writing their stories. The study also showed that the use of smartphones comes with its attendant risks and dangers to journalists. But, respondents indicated that the benefits of using smartphones for investigative journalism outweigh the challenges.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE                                                                                                                                     PAGE

DECLARATION…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. i

DEDICATION……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT………………………………………………………………………………………………. iii

ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. iv

CHAPTER ONE…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1

INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1

  • Background to study………………………………………………………………………………………………………
    • Role of smartphones in journalism…………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
    • Concept  of investigative journalism……………………………………………………………………………… 3
    • Innovations in investigative journalism…………………………………………………………………………… 5
    • Challenges of investigative journalism……………………………………………………………………………. 5
    • ACILA-Tiger Eye Project…………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
    • Use of smartphones as a tool to combat corruption………………………………………………………….. 71
    • Problem  statement………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8
    • Research objectives……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9
    • Research questions…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10
    • Significance of study…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 10
    • Organisation  of  study………………………………………………………………………………………………. 11
    • Chapter  Summary…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 11

CHAPTER TWO………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12

LITERATURE REVIEW………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12

  1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
    1. Related        studies……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13
    1. Theoretical               framework……………………………………………………………………………………. 19
      1. Technology            Acceptance    Model……………………………………………………………………….. 19
      1. Attributes of Technology Acceptance Model……………………………………………………………….. 20
      1. Criticisms and limitations of model……………………………………………………………………………… 21
      1. Application   of   model  to  study………………………………………………………………………………. 21

CHAPTER  THREE……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23

METHODOLOGY……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23

  1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23
    1. Type  of  study………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23
    1. Population and sample……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 24
    1. Data  collection  procedure………………………………………………………………………………………… 25
      1. Ethical considerations…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 26
    1. Data  analysis and presentation…………………………………………………………………………………… 27
    1. Chapter Summary……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 27

CHAPTER FOUR…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 28

FINDINGS       ………………………………………………………………………………………………………        28

  1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 28
    1. Demographic Information………………………………………………………………………………………………. 28
    1. Main findings……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 29
      1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 29
      1. Uses of smartphones…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 29
      1. Challenges in using smartphones………………………………………………………………………………….. 31
      1. Risks and dangers of using smartphones………………………………………………………………………. 32
      1. Using smartphones to overcome risks…………………………………………………………………………… 34
      1. Ethical breaches in using smartphones………………………………………………………………………….. 36

4.1 Summary of findings………………………………………………………………………………………………… 38

CHAPTER FIVE…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 40

DISCUSSION,  CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION……………………………………… 40

  • Discussion…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 40RQ1 What extent does investigative journalists use smartphones?……………………………………….. 40
    • RQ2 What challenges and opportunities does using smartphones provide for investigative journalists?            43

5.0.1 RQ3 Does the use of smartphones poses peculiar ethical dilemmas for investigative journalists and how do they navigate it?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 44

  • Limitation        of    study……………………………………………………………………………………………. 46
    • Recommendations for further studies………………………………………………………………………….. 46
    • Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 47

BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 49 APPENDIX A

PAYMENT 5000

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR