Whatsapp Use in Newsrooms-a Case Study of the Daily Nation Newspaper

Abstract

This study sought to examine the effect of WhatsApp Messenger use in media houses. The study focused on the use of WhatsApp Messenger by Nation Media Group journalists. The study was premised on three objectives namely, to find out the extent of WhatsApp Messenger use in news reporting by journalists at the Daily Nation newspaper, the role of WhatsApp Messenger use in news reporting at the Daily Nation newspaper publication and the outcome of WhatsApp Messenger use in new reporting at the Daily Nation newspaper. The company is the largest independent media house in east and central Africa serving Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. It has several publications in Kenya namely: Daily Nation (DN), Taifa Leo (TF), Business Daily (BD), Nairobi News (NN) and The East Africa (TEA). The Daily Nation newspaper which is the flagship brand of the company will be the focus of this study. The newspaper is the highest circulated publication in East Africa with a daily circulation and readership of more than 200,000 copies. The study employed mixed methods approach, the qualitative research method and quantitative research method. The theoretical framework of the study employed the Critical Theory of Communication in Organizations. The theory explains how communication flows in an organizational setting. The study also used the Media Richness Theory, which sometimes is known as the ‘Information Richness Theory’. It assumes that media is capable of passing on needed information. The theory further implies that various media possess varying levels of richness in their information. The third theory used is the social influence model of technology use. This model can be used to explain how organisations have adopted IT, especially in social computing context. The study found out that WhatsApp use has increased efficiency in receiving information and disseminating news. The platform has also enhanced the ‘digital first’ initiative being implemented in the newsroom as reporters are able to give details of stories as they happen through the nation.co.ke WhatsApp group. Further, the platform has also enhanced news packaging, because editors get story updates early enough, thereby providing enough time for quality checks. The overall conclusion is that the platform is effective in the newsrooms and has improved mobile interpersonal relations and communication between the reporters and editors. The platform has to lead to adaptation of new technological practices in the newsroom.