NEW MEDIA AND INSINCERITY IN COMMUNICATION

GSM ABUSE

Abstract

Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs) have greatly radicalized the information and communication pattern of the society as well as engendered the following: enhanced human activities in education, trade and commerce; bridged the distance in relationships; and enabled faster communication using platforms such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication). However, this new media has its own shortcomings. This paper examines the new media and the increasing insincerity in communication. The focus of the paper is on the abusive use of the GSM. A total of 100 participants selected from staff and students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka were used for the study. The techniques for data collection are in-depth interview (IDI) and focus group discussion (FGD). Findings from the study demonstrate that GSM has become a global necessity, used popularly to meet many communication and business needs. Ironically, it is in this use that one encounters one of the greatest short comings, its abuse, in creating misinformation and miscommunication at the same time. However these short comings are tolerated in the Nigerian context. Finally the study recommends that although video calls and Skype are now available, phone manufacturers should widen the accessibility of such devices so that it will be readily available to every user. In this way, the value of GSM phones as a communication and tracking device will not only increase but the abuse and use for negative business transactions will be hugely minimized.