Abstracts from selected publications.

Vraga, E. K., Tully, M., Akin, H. & Rojas, H. (forthcoming). Modifying perceptions of hostility and credibility of news coverage of an environmental controversy through media literacy. Journalism: Theory, Practice & Criticism.

This study tests the proposition that hostile interpretations of media content can be reduced through news media literacy training. Within the context of the controversy over the adoption of biofuels as an energy source, we employ a web-based experimental design that manipulates subjects’ exposure to media literacy training and then presents them with news coverage on the issue of biofuels. We find strong support that media literacy affects individuals’ perceptions of media credibility. Exposure to a media literacy video led to increased ratings of story credibility, and increased trust in the media. Implications of these results are discussed.

Tully, M. (2010). All’s well in the colony: Newspaper coverage of the Mau Mau Movement, 1952–1956. In T. Falola & H. Ter Haar (Eds.), Narrating war and peace in Africa (pp. 56-75). University of Rochester Press.

The Mau Mau, an anti-colonial resistance movement, occurred during a chaotic and critical period in Kenyan colonial history. It has been argued that the Western press portrayed the Mau Mau as a terrorist campaign mostly concerned with killing settlers and British loyalists, ignoring the political and nationalist motives driving the independence movement. An analysis of coverage from two major foreign newspapers found the depth of coverage varied and the focus was often on the British response to the movement. This chapter examines how the New York Times and The Times of London covered the Mau Mau rebellion from 1952 to 1956. Content analysis of 342 articles counted and coded the topics, sources, actors, and victims in each, while textual analysis considered the use of specific words and phrases to uncover and understand the larger themes in the coverage. The study found that the New York Times presented a simplistic account that portrayed the Mau Mau as a terrorist movement. The coverage was detached from the Kenyan context and predominantly based on official government and military sources. The Times of London coverage was more in-depth and provided some historical context necessary for understanding the Mau Mau. However, The Times overwhelmingly presented the movement from government and military perspectives and focused on the British response to the rebellion. Both newspapers presented the movement as an isolated rebellion that was under control because of government and military response. Presenting the Kenyan situation as one in which the British retained control was critical to the British public image during a period of global decolonization.

Abstracts from selected conference papers.

Tully, M. (2011, March), Use of social media in local crisis situations: Online narrative development during two "bombing" events in Nairobi, Kenya. Cultural Studies Association Annual Conference, Chicago.

This paper looks at how information flowed and the online narratives that developed around a potential and an actual crisis in Nairobi, Kenya. I analyze the commentary on Twitter, Facebook, blogs and news websites during two events, a bombing at a political rally in downtown Nairobi and a bomb scare on a major road in Nairobi. Known for giving regular people the ability to report and discuss breaking news, these outlets have become sites of contestation as people debate the facts, rumors, and interpretations surrounding unfolding crisis situations. Using evidence from these two 2010 bombing events in Nairobi, one of which that was an actual crises, and one that was just a scare, I analyze the information flow and narrative development as the events unfolded and new facts and rumors became available to the public.

Tully, M. (2010, Nov.), Transnational technology: The role of diasporic Kenyans in the Nairobi tech scene. African Studies Association Annual Meeting, San Francisco.

This paper analyzes the role of Kenyans living in the diaspora in the development of information and communication technologies (ICT) in Nairobi. Through interviews with Kenyan technologists and bloggers who are currently living or have formerly lived in the diaspora, local “techies,” and leading technology businesses and organizations including, as well as observational research, this paper explores the dynamic relationship between diasporic and local technological developments and advancements. Through social networks developed in and outside of Kenya, diasporic Kenyans are able to serve as “bridgers” between their home and host country (Teegen, 2003), often promoting Kenyan technological developments and advancements to a larger global audience. For example, the success of local tech developments in the international arena is often attributed to the support and promotion from diasporic Kenyans. More recently, Kenyans educated and living abroad have begun to return to Kenya to work in the technology sector. These Kenyans bring a different perspective to the local tech scene and often play key roles in local developments. However, despite their role in supporting local developments, diasporic Kenyans can also be out of touch with their homelands and unable to understand the changes that have taken place since they left, leading to a disconnect between Kenyans living abroad and those living at home.

Tully, M. & Ekdale, B. (2010, Aug.). Beyond "soap opera for social change": An analysis of Kenya's The Team. Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Annual Conference, Denver.

We explore how the TV series The Team, Kenya, adapts the entertainment-education model to include morally ambiguous characters and more participation through the use of social networking sites, mobile screenings and facilitated discussion sessions. We analyze how The Team uses the metaphor of sport to assert a vision of a unified Kenyan nation. And while the TV series remains within the boundaries of the sport metaphor, the online discussions take the metaphor to its more literal meaning about national unity with often-explicit discussions about the state of the Kenyan nation. This study is based on qualitative research including interviews, textual analysis of season one (13 episodes) of the series, review of internal documents and an examination of the show’s Facebook pages, particularly the discussions that take place in these online spaces.