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Media and the Coronavirus Pandemic in Africa (Part Three)
  • ISSN: 2040-199X
  • E-ISSN: 1751-7974

Abstract

Senegal is a country with a long history of oral tradition, where the is the leading figure responsible for the transmission of messages from generation to generation over centuries. They are highly regarded and considered in society as a mediator and advisor through their music or spoken word. As Senegal witnessed the arrival of the first cases of coronavirus, a large number of musicians used social media to disseminate songs raising coronavirus awareness. Following these first initiatives, President Macky Sall met with several acclaimed musicians in the country. This led to the production of a polyphonic song released by the social media platforms of the Ministry of Health and Social Action. This article looks at music as an ‘edutaining’ and phenomenologically proximate communication strategy to raise awareness about coronavirus and the measures that can be taken to prevent its spread.

Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • SOAS Seed Corn Fund (Award 211558)
  • SOAS, University of London
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2022-03-01
2024-04-19
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  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): awareness campaign; coronavirus; edutainment; music; Senegal; social media
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