A Communication Audit of Waithaka Catholic Parish in the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi.
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Date
2024
Authors
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Daystar University, School of Communication
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to conduct a Communication Audit of Waithaka Catholic Parish to establish the effectiveness of the communication methods / strategies being used by the Parish. The study objectives were to find out the communication channels being used in Waithaka Catholic Parish, establish the effectiveness of the communication channels used by Waithaka Catholic Parish in communicating to their followers, determine the information needs of Waithaka Catholic Parish and to explore alternative / preferred channels of communication by the Waithaka Catholic Parish community. The study used Systems Theory. The utilization of systems theory was of assistance to the researcher in understanding and recognizing the significance of good communication in the coordination of activities at Waithaka Catholic Parish. Explanatory research approach was embraced in the study to ensure that the research on the impact of communication audit on communication in the Catholic Church in Kenya was well studied. To accomplish the study aims, both structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used. The study findings showed that Horizontal communication, which involves peer-to-peer interactions, was the most effective, with 30.82% of respondents stating it works "to a great extent" and 41.78% rating it effective "to a moderate extent." The preferred communication methods at Waithaka Catholic Parish, as highlighted by respondents, reveal a growing demand for a hybrid approach that blends modern digital tools with traditional, face-to-face interactions. In Waithaka Catholic Parish, a variety of communication channels are employed to facilitate information exchange between the Parish, its staff, and its members. Digital platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, email, and Instagram are highly utilized, reflecting a modern shift towards instant and widespread communication. The study concluded that the parish should adopt consistent methods of communication to avoid discrepancy, the parish should adopt a multichannel communication strategy to cater for age demographics and feedback channels should be improved to ensure effective vertical and horizontal communication are effective. Recommendations for the study include enhancing the use of social media platforms to reach a broader audience and enhancing the notice board to make it more eye-catching to capture attention of parishioners effectively. It is also recommended that the parish introduces structured feedback mechanisms. Other recommendations are introduction of a suggestion box and ensuring prompt feedback which will create channels for parishioners to share their thoughts and concerns constructively.
Description
MASTER OF ARTS in Communication
Keywords
Communication Audit, Communication methods, Information needs
Citation
Njau, K. D. (2024). A Communication Audit of Waithaka Catholic Parish in the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi. Daystar University, School of Communication