MXit up in the media : media discourse analysis on a mobile instant messaging system
Date
2008
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Publisher
Southern African Journal of Information and Communication (SAJIC), The Edge Institute / Research ICT Africa, Braamfontein, ZA
Abstract
Mobile instant messaging has the potential of providing the youth not only with a social space where they can interact
and bond but also with a learning environment. MXit is the most popular mobile instant messaging application in South Africa. Due
to its nascency, little academic research has been done on the application. The application has drawn considerable local media
interest; however, most of the media coverage has been negative. Media discourse of the application is of academic interest, since
media discourse is one of the many ways through which reality is constructed. This means there is a relationship between media
discourse and public opinion. Distortions in the media may misinform and engender impaired decision making amongst
policymakers as well as members of the public. Discourse analysis can reveal distortions in media communication and counter
misinformation. Using critical discourse analysis, we have analysed the media discourse on MXit by employing the Habermasian
concept of the ideal speech situation and its validity claims as a conceptual tool. The analysis shows that (i) the media discourse is
fraught with distortions; (ii) the media have mainly used the voice of adults to legitimise the discourse and the voices of the youth
who are the main users of the application are missing; and (iii) there seems to be a moral panic developing around the use of MXit.
Description
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Journal Article (peer-reviewed)
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Keywords
MEDIA DISCOURSE, VALIDITY CLAIMS, HABERMAS, JUERGEN, MOBILE INSTANT MESSAGING, MXIT, SOCIAL MEDIA, YOUTH, PUBLIC OPINION