World of Media-2025. Journal of Russian Media and Journalism Studies. Issue №4.

The issue was published in 2025 by the Faculty of Journalism, Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Download

LEAD ARTICLE

Salawu, A., & Adeyeye, B. (2025). Voices unheard: The struggle of indigenous language journalism on Nigeria’s media landscape. World of Media. Journal of Russian Media and Journalism Studies, 4, рр. 5–26. DOI: 10.30547/worldofmedia.4.2025.1 

Journalism can be deemed successful when the receiver of the message understands what is being circulated. This is especially possible when the message being disseminated to the receiver is in a language familiar to them. This study examines the factors responsible for the lack of development of indigenous language journalism in Nigeria. The study specifically sought to investigate the social, linguistic, and economic factors that inhibit the growth of indigenous language journalism in Nigeria, studied the consequences of media policies and regulations on indigenous language journalism, and assessed the dearth in education and its influence on the non-development of indigenous language journalism. The study was anchored on the cultural imperialism theory and adopted the exploratory research design. Interviews and document analysis were the data collection methods. Non-probabilistic, purposive sampling was employed for the research. Twenty-four interviews were conducted to collect data from journalists and officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Information and selected Chief Orientation and Mobilization Officers (COMO) of the State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency. Systematic content analysis (SCA) was used to analyse interview transcripts. Additional themes were proposed based on insights emerging from the data, expanding, separating or combining existing themes as needed. The study found that the dominance of English as the official language and the nonviability of indigenous language journalism from sociolinguistic and economic factors are challenges for indigenous language journalism in Nigeria. Findings also show that journalists’ lack of language competence in indigenous languages, the predominance of the English language over indigenous languages in journalism practice, and the lack of a framework for education were the bases of contention related to the underdevelopment of indigenous language journalism. The study concluded that the shift of the language towards English, driven by its perceived prestige and domination in numerous areas, offers a substantial barrier to the expansion of indigenous language journalism in Nigeria. It recommends the creation and execution of policies that recognise the value of indigenous languages and promote their preservation and development, especially in journalism. 

Key words: Indigenous languages, indigenous language journalism, journalists, language policy, language competence, sustainability.

Received: 18.03.25

Accepted: 05.11.25

ARTICLES

Gavrilova, M., Dvorskaya, E., & Sukhikh, V. (2025). The impact of digital media on play activity in preschool children: A psychological study. World of Media. Journal of Russian Media and Journalism Studies, 4, рр. 28–45. DOI: 10.30547/ worldofmedia.4.2025.2 

In the context of intensive mediatization of childhood, children’s consumption of digital media from an early age has become a widespread phenomenon, causing concern among parents and educators. This study focused on analyzing the intensity of digital media consumption as a factor potentially leading to negative changes in play activities and social interactions among preschool children. The study involved over 500 children and their parents. The results indicate that prolonged screen time is associated with characteristics such as lack of emotional attachment to toys, reliance on media trends when selecting toys, and rapid loss of interest in them. However, the assumption that children’s lack of familiarity with current media narratives leads to peer rejection or inability to participate in joint play based on animated films or digital games was not supported. 

Key words: Mediatization of childhood, screen time, play, sociometric status, preschool age.

Received: 07.09.25

Accepted: 03.12.25

Imran, F., & Ali, F. (2025). Exploring the antecedents of news avoidance behavior among university students in Pakistan. World of Media. Journal of Russian Media and Journalism Studies, 4, рр. 46–69. DOI: 10.30547/ worldofmedia.4.2025.3 

News avoidance has emerged as a growing concern, influencing how information is received, shaping civic engagement, and forming individual perspectives. This study investigates the key factors contributing to this behavior, particularly in the evolving media landscape where traditional news sources face increasing competition from digital platforms. Conducted across six universities in two metropolitan cities in Pakistan, the research aims to explore the complexities of news avoidance behaviors through a survey-based methodology with a purposive sampling approach. A total of 558 university students participated in the study, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of diverse variables influencing news consumption habits. The study examines critical factors, including news overload, news fatigue, the perception of “news finding the individual”, trust in news sources, political interest, news efficacy, negativity in news, and information overload. These variables were systematically analyzed to determine their influence on news avoidance. Among them, two significant predictors emerged: news fatigue and the perception that “news finds me”. These findings highlight the intersection of media consumption habits and individual traits, providing deeper insights into the behavior of university students in Pakistan. By identifying the key drivers of news avoidance, this research contributes to the theoretical framework of media studies while offering practical recommendations for fostering greater engagement with news. Addressing the psychological and behavioral dimensions of news consumption can help develop strategies to encourage informed and active participation in news discourse, particularly in an era of rapidly evolving digital media.

Key words: News avoidance, news consumption, news engagement, political interest, Pakistan.

Received: 26.12.24

Accepted: 11.09.25

Gureeva, A. (2025). Universities’ media communication strategies: Theoretical foundations and implementation features. World of Media. Journal of Russian Media and Journalism Studies, 4, рр. 70–94. DOI: 10.30547/ worldofmedia.4.2025.4 

The article examines media communication strategies of universities in the context of implementing their “three missions”: scientific, educational, and social. In this context, a strategic approach is essential for planning and implementing media communication activities at a university. According to this approach, the work of subject matter experts should be aligned with the university’s general concept or strategy for development. A review of literature enables us to pinpoint where the media communication strategy fits within the general communication strategy of a university and identify its essential features: as a rule, it has a delayed effect and aims to develop long- term relationships with target audiences. The author analyzes current media communication practices of relevant university departments using the method of expert interviews with university officials and studies publicly available, documented media communication strategies. There are two approaches to working with media communication strategies in universities: the first one sees the strategy as an undocumented “action plan” not formalized in a document, whereas, according to the second one, the strategy exists as a local regulation. In certain universities, such a formal document not only sets the main goals and objectives of a relevant department but also contains performance indicators and key communication narratives, which makes the strategy more functional in terms of the tactical operation of a communication department. The results of a comprehensive review of the actual practices and vision of what is “proper” in media communication work, as shared by the universities, reveal several dimensions of a media communication strategy, including conceptual, process, organizational, and contextual ones, and target audiences of a university’s media communication strategy. The building blocks of each of these dimensions can be represented as a standardized framework of a university’s media communication strategy, which includes the university development strategy, goal setting, contributing factors, target audience groups, and three stages, i. e. development, implementation, and performance evaluation. 

Key words: Mediatization, mediatization of research and education, university media communications, university media communication strategy, strategic communications.

Received: 09.09.25

Accepted: 04.12.25