New Media and Mass Communication www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3267 (Paper) ISSN 2224-3275 (Online) Vol.48, 2016 50 The Media of Nigerian Diaspora in Britain: A Study of Priorities and Preferences Abiodun Adeniyi, Ph.D. Senior Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, Baze University, Abuja Abstract This paper investigates the communication practices of Nigerian Diaspora members in Britain. It examines how they mitigate longing, and negotiate belonging in the distance. It studies their choices of media in communicating, and examines the factors that shape those choices over space and time. The paper notes that the decision on the media to use is shifty, as it is largely dependent on personal need, ever changing technologies of communication and the disparity in development between homeland and hostland, amongst other factors. Emerging in the circumstance is the fact of mitigation of distance through the use of the different media, both old and new, either in their individual variations, or from their point of convergence. 1.1: INTRODUCTION International communications studies focus on the activities of states and corporations that essentially emanate from the centre. It is important to examine the process of determining the composition of mediation not between and within the metropolis, but partly between the metropolis and the marginal societies, while exploring the human experiences, interpersonal and community communication. Looking at Britain as a case allows us to explore the potentials of new technologies for economic and social development, and for groups with limited financial resources. In addition, for many diasporic and migrant groups, Online Media is the only medium that connects them to news and current affairs in the homeland, as there is probably a limited and costly access to other media, such as television, radio, and the press. Besides, Online Media enables real time interaction, networking, storage, sharing and retrieving of data. But how are channels of media use determined? In doing this research, cognizance is taken of the high convergence that characterizes present day media variants. Some smartphones, for instance, can at once play the role of the telephone, that of the television, the radio, the press, the micro-recorder, the music player, just like the Television and the Internet can independently do. The lines between the networks are thin, as their functions are interwoven and sometimes undistinguishable. This research, conducted at a much earlier date, as part of a bigger study on Nigerian Diaspora use of the Internet, and the possibility of mediating longing, and fostering belonging, is updated to fill obvious gaps in the contextualization of preferred media of Nigerian Diaspora members in Britain. As a result, analyses essentially evaluate the media in their different contexts, irrespective of their overlapping, and/or convergent character. 1.1.1: METHODOLOGY In doing this research, survey and interviews were used. Survey was carried out on a selected sample between London and Leeds. There was however a heavier reliance on interviews, between the two cities of Nigerian Diaspora members, through a random sample of respondents. Evaluation of data was done based on inferences from the two methods, which hopefully enriched submissions and arguments. 2.1: THE SHAPING OF PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH HOMELAND: ONLINE MEDIA, THE MOBILE PHONE, OR THE OTHERS? The combination of ease, accessibility, and cost are essential when personal connection between Nigeria and the host country is in focus. Some respondents like Emeka and Esther below note that Online Media is not a convenient medium to relate with their parents in Nigeria. Absence of enabling infrastructures for Online Media use, illiteracy and age are some reasons they mentioned. Some others like Akinmade also hints at this, particularly as Online Media does not guarantee intimacy. The regular/routine roles of preceding media like the telephone are possible online, through sending and receiving e-mails; e-mail attachments; chats and Voice over Online Media Protocol (VoIP), but the regular need to get detailed information is obvious from the viewpoint of participants, like Dupe, 43. This detailed information is not easily accessible on the phone. They are of the type from parties in Nigerian, who have impersonal relationships with migrants. Others probably simultaneously seek the information, instead of the one- on-one track of the telephone. The information is usually loaded online by website owners who desire to reach many, other than participants. I cannot say that many Nigerians back home, (use Online Media) especially those I could have used it with. The economic differences between the UK where I live and Nigeria matters a lot… Of course, I cannot talk to my mother on Online Media. Emeka, Male, 46, London.