This article focuses on a semiotic analysis of Frankenweenie, one of Disney Picture’s 3D animated films. Anchored within the psychoanalytic film theory, the aim was to highlight how animated films, as colorful and comic as they are, can demonize a certain group of people. Studying how animated films can do this can lead to an important understanding because children’s exposure to modelled behavior on television and in movies has the potential to influence a wide range of attitudes and behaviors, cause victimization, alter their perceptions of reality, reinforce stereotypes and make them acquire such negative emotions as fear and anxiety, and behaviors like retaliation and passivity. The possibility of these adverse effects is even of greater concern in Africa and similar contexts which are at the receiving end of cultural products such as films that emanate from the West. The findings suggest that the negative portrayal of ‘people of color’ or other characters that represent them, by American film producers and directors seems to be a reoccurring phenomenon. Significantly, from an African perspective, this study corroborates scholars’ position that Disney has continued to portray ‘people of color’ negatively over the years.

Findings from the 2012 Global Adult Tobacco Survey which is still the latest nationwide tobacco use research in Nigeria show that 5.6% (4.7 million) Nigerian adults aged 15 years or older used tobacco products: 10.0% (4.2 million) men and 1.1% (0.5 million) women. One of the strategies for the control of this rate of tobacco use is the mandatory text-only Health Warning Messages available on cigarette packs in the country. This study explored the perceived dissuasiveness of the Text-only Health Warning Messages on cigarette packs in Nigeriaand how smoking history can influence this perception. To achieve the set objectives, a mixed-method approach involving survey and Focus Group Discussion was adopted.The study analyzed data collected from a sample of 400 residents in Anambra State, Nigeria selected through simple random sampling and another 12 selected through snowballing, for Focus Group Discussion. Findings showed that the content of the Health Warning Message and smoking history were factors that could influence perceived dissuasiveness of cigarette Health Warning Messages. Additionally, the smokers were found to have become accustomed to the Text-only Health Warning Messages. Findings also showed that the smokers’ perception was in line with their smoking behaviour. Stated differently, they did not perceive the Text-only Health Warning Message as dissuasive and have therefore continued to smoke. However, Graphic Health Warning Messages (GHWMs) were perceived as more dissuasive than the text-only messages by both smokers and nonsmokers. Therefore, it is recommended that the federal government should introduce Graphic Health Warning Messages and make them mandatory for cigarette packaging and advertisements.

This study explores how university-educated Nigerians living in two urban centres engaged with, and made choices about whether to share or not share, “fake news” on COVID-19 in 2020.The research adopted a qualitative approach by conducting focus group interviews with participants, all university graduates aged 25 or older, sampled from Lagos and Umuahia—two major metropolitan cities in Nigeria. Participants’ sense-making practices with regard to fake news on COVID-19 were varied. One core finding was that social media virality was typically seen as being synonymous with fake news due to the dramatic, exaggerated, and sometimes illogical nature of such information. Many participants demonstrated a high level of literacy in spotting fake news. Among those who said that they sometimes shared fake news on COVID-19, one motivation was to warn of the dangers of fake news by making it clear, while sharing, that the information was false. Other participants said that they shared news without being certain of its veracity, because of a general concern about the virus, and some participants shared news if it was at least partially true, provided that the news aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of COVID-19. However, some participants deliberately shared fake news on COVID-19 and did so because of a financial motivation. Those who sought to avoid sharing fake news on COVID-19 did so to avoid causing harm. The study provides insights into the reception of, and practices in engaging with, health-related fake news within a university-educated Nigerian demographic.

‘Whitevertised’ skincare products are found in such societies as Nigeria where women show reverence for white skin. They are presented using a plethora of advertisement techniques that can make white skin appear desirable. Anchored on social constructionism and selective perception theory, this study aimed to find out how women in Anambra State perceive these products and their awareness of the health risks they can pose. To achieve these objectives, a quantitative approach involving survey was adopted.  Data were collected from a random sample of 400 women. Findings showed that these products are prevalent and are used by most of the respondents to ‘maintain’ their skin colour. The study also showed that the perception towards these products varied with age and educational qualification, and was also shown to be influenced by price, place of origin, scientification, celebrity-endorsements and past experiences. In addition, findings from the study showed that the health risk awareness of the risks these products can pose was low among the younger respondents and the least educated. Based on these findings, this study recommended health awareness campaigns targeted at the young and least educated who were shown in this study as most vulnerable.