Vulgarity on Ghanaian Entertainment Blogs

Purpose: This study explores the use of vulgar words and expressions on Ghanaian entertainment blogs and the rationale behind Ghanaian bloggers' use of such offensive language. Design/Methodology/Approach: This qualitative study employed digital ethnography and thematic analysis for data collection and analysis, respectively, with the online disinhibition effect as the underpinning theory. The study explored vulgar language on Ghanaian entertainment blogs through thematic analysis of 93 purposively sampled vulgar blog posts and insights from two top Ghanaian bloggers interviewed for the study. Research Limitation: Poor or unstable internet connection was encountered during this digital ethnography, and it affected the data collection procedure to some extent. Findings: The study found that vulgarity on Ghanaian entertainment blogs mainly borders on obscenity, profanity, and insults, mostly targeting prominent personalities and institutions in Ghanaian society. Additionally, Ghanaian bloggers interviewed noted their audience's obsession with vulgarity and the economic benefits of blogging as the main reasons vulgar language is used on Ghanaian entertainment blogs. Social Implication: This study can inform Ghanaian media policymakers, including the Ghana National Media Commission and the Ghana Journalists Association, to formulate regulatory policies to check the use of vulgar language in the Ghanaian media Practical Implication: Specifically, there should be a code of ethics that would guide the activities of bloggers in the country. In addition, bloggers should be licensed, and those who fail to adhere to regulations should be sanctioned. Originality/Value: This study focuses on the use of vulgar expressions, including sexual expletives and invectives on Facebook by some Ghanaian entertainment blogs, and contributes significantly to existing knowledge by establishing the fact that Ghanaian entertainment blogs mostly employ words and expressions that are insulting, abusive and derogatory, which have the tendency to incite violence.