Navigating The Digital Media Frontier: The Case of Jesuits in Eastern Africa During and After Covid-19.

Abstract

The disruption caused by any pandemic extends beyond individual lives, affecting society as a whole. While the current post-COVID-19 era might suggest a temporary respite, the threat of another pandemic remains a looming possibility, its timing, nature, and potential consequences uncertain. In the post-COVID-19 era, there is a discernible struggle among Jesuits in Eastern Africa to come to terms with the role of digital media in their mission. This study investigates the extent to which the Jesuits in the Eastern Africa Province have adopted digital media technologies in their mission activities following the COVID-19 crisis. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research incorporated both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to achieve the set goal. As part of the qualitative paradigm, in-depth interviews were conducted with four key Jesuit leaders from various departments, including the Provincial Superior, Socius, Treasurer, and Formation Delegate, to provide qualitative insights. Quantitatively, a stratified and systematic random sampling technique was utilized to distribute questionnaires among the Jesuits in Eastern Africa. A sample size of 79 was taken to determine the questionnaires to be sent. Out of 79 sent, 63 were returned with complete responses. The responses across the different strata were: (novices n=12, 19.0%), (scholastics n=18, 28.6%), (priests n=31, 49.2%), and (brothers n=2, 3.2%. The findings revealed that 95.24% of the respondents knew the digital media used during COVID-19. However, the rate of adoption was highly influenced by age factor. On the personal level, the findings show that the Jesuits aged 26-35, that is 34.9% found it easier to navigate digitally than the old generation age. On the institutional level, the Jesuit tradition and policy on communication is a determining factor in adoption as indicated in the intervening variables. This study includes a comprehensive literature review and presents the findings, discussions, and conclusions derived from both qualitative and quantitative research. Additionally, it acknowledges the limitations inherent in the study design. The intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Jesuits’ engagement with digital media technologies presents a compelling area for investigation. As the Society of Jesus navigates this technological frontier, an intricate interplay emerges between the appeal of digital media and the persisting inclination towards modes of operation in the post-pandemic era. Given Africa’s widespread digital divide, the Jesuits are also digitally missing. The decisions made by individual Jesuits in engaging with digital media suggest that the positive impacts of such engagement surpass the negative consequences, irrespective of the established Jesuit communication policies. Although it is unlikely that the official communication policy will change soon, individual members have demonstrated a willingness to cooperate and adopt digital media technologies.