NEWSPAPERS READERSHIP PATTERNS AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS IN RIVERS STATE
- Project Research
- 1-5 Chapters
- Quantitative
- Chi-Square
- Abstract : Available
- Table of Content: Available
- Reference Style: APA
- Recommended for : Student Researchers
- NGN 3000
Background of the study
Reading is the center of learning, particularly in formal education environments like University system. Reading boosts one’s understanding and thinking about a specific topic, and the society as a whole (Ashong, 2017). Onwubiko (2020) believes that, reading has four intentions: reading for fun and relaxation, reading for information, reading for knowledge and reading for all the aforementioned elements. He further states that there are numerous resources at the disposal of a reader; one of the key reading materials for reading is newspaper.
Newspaper is a mass media which communicates current information released at regular interval of time. As a mass medium, newspapers are beneficial for education, information, enjoyment, relaxation and entertainment. This is why Ola and Ola (2016) note that newspapers are crucial because they contain current information and they keep the readers aware of events and activities inside and beyond their local contexts.
Okunna (2019) confirms this stance by arguing that the newspaper is crucial in that it acts as a transporter of current information or news. Obaid (2019) concurs that newspapers are the textbooks that provide up to date information on local, state, national and world affairs, the most current analysis and criticism of the executive and legislative decision making, the latest in music, theatre, television, fine arts and even column and comics to make readers laugh. Babalola (2021) believes that newspapers encourage literacy empowerment; it unavoidably fosters critical thinking, retention of knowledge, problem solving and the questioning of information source. Furthermore, newspaper consumption permits one to become a person who holds civic-conscious ideals, tolerance and connectedness to the community (Edegoh, Asemah, and Okpanachi, 2020).
Despite the major importance of newspaper readership, data from a broad corpus of empirical research tends to imply that newspaper reading is diminishing. For instance, Edegoh et al (2020) reports that newspaper circulation has been falling over the previous few of years. Udie (2019) also says that the frequency of newspaper reading among Nigerians is less than 50 percent . Biagi (2021) claims that during the 1970s, the general number of newspapers has fallen owing to non-readership. Business Essay (2019) has also observed that there has been a decrease tendency in newspaper reading over the last several decades in nations all over the globe, including the United States and Europe. According to the findings of a poll that was carried out by Afro barometer in 2003 across 12 African nations, including Nigeria, it was found that just 13% of the tested population admits to reading a daily newspaper (Afrobarometer, 2017). The daily sales number of all the newspapers in Nigeria was less than 300,000 in 2010, according to a survey that was conducted out throughout the nation by the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN). This indicates that only one out of every 470 people in Nigeria buys newspapers on a daily basis (Ezeh, 2015).
To put this reality into proper perspective, Patrick (2020) said that all of the newspapers in Nigeria today have a combined circulation figure that is far less than 500,000 copies per day when compared to 1980, when the population of Nigeria was approximately half of what it is today. This statistic was taken from a study that was conducted in Nigeria. As a direct result of the proliferation of the internet, traditional print media, such as newspapers, are unquestionably going through the most difficult period in their entire history. When compared to what a traditional newspaper might deliver, the internet's online features and possibilities are far more extensive. For instance, the internet gives users quick and less costly access to news and information, along with interactive and multimedia elements, in addition to providing easy access via extremely basic portable technology such as mobile phones and personal computers (Afrobarometer, 2017).
According to the argument presented by Vakkai (2018), the internet is a more better approach to share and read various forms of news and information. Ogbiten (2017) is correct in their assertion that the printed newspaper is under increasing competition from online and social media platforms. Users are increasingly turning to the internet for free news and information, which, according to them, is causing readers' behaviors to shift. The instantaneous nature of internet news and social media was one of the key factors that contributed to the consumers' willingness to embrace it on a worldwide scale. This scenario unwittingly affects the conventional channels of mass communication, including newspapers in their traditional bastion of the news industry; as a result, they are forced to tap into the vast resources that are available on the internet.
Today, newspapers joined other forms of mass media in delivering their information online along with other platforms. On the other hand, as more people gravitate toward reading material online, it is feasible that traditional print newspapers may see a decrease in the number of people who read them (Akinfeleye, 2018). Since there is growing evidence that shows high usage of online platforms as sources of news and information among civil servants around the world (Ani, 2020, Shadrach & Abugu, 2019), it is expedient to further test if such development has affected conventional newspaper readership pattern among civil servants in Rivers state. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not such development has affected conventional newspaper readership pattern among civil servants in Rivers state.
Statement of the problem
Newspapers are well-known for their ability to provide readers with the most recent information about events occurring at the local, state, national, and worldwide levels. The great majority of readers of all ages and walks of life may find relevant and engaging information that satisfies their need for reading material intended for their enjoyment in the majority of cases in newspapers (Eamin, 2018). The most recent analysis, debate, and criticism of sociopolitical, economic, health, and a wide variety of other issues are provided by newspapers, which are an important print medium for the dissemination of mass communication. These articles provide readers with information, education, and entertainment.
The newspaper is, without a shadow of a question, one of the magazines that is read the most often and is available to everyone on a daily basis, both in printed and electronic formats. In spite of all of these factors, newspapers have recently been facing a number of significant issues as a direct result of the poor reading patterns and the low patronage from readers. Should nothing be done to prevent it, the situation described above has the potential to result in the print publication being pulled out of circulation.
According to Eamin (2018), the number of people who read print newspapers around the world has decreased by 11 percent in the past year, falling from 86.4 million in April 2008 to 76.7 million in April 2009. On the other hand, the total number of visitors to the category of online newspapers has increased by 5 percent during that same period of time. The number of people reading newspapers in print in the United States of America and elsewhere in the globe has decreased by 9.7 million people, which is a much larger amount than the number of people reading newspapers online, which has increased by 3.2 million.
According to Olofin (2020), the number of people reading newspapers has been on a downward trend over the last several years. According to Udie (2019), less than half of Nigerians regularly read newspapers. This figure is far lower than what was previously thought. According to Biagi (2021), the number of people reading newspapers has been on the fall since the 1970s, which has led to a general decrease in the number of newspapers.
Business Essay (2019) has stated that there has been a general decrease trend in newspaper reading over the last several decades in many nations throughout the globe, including the United States and Europe. As a result, the present research, which will be conducted with government officials in the state of Rivers, will assess the validity or lack thereof of the stance taken by these previous studies. In addition, qualitative research and quantitative research are combined in this inquiry in order to look at potential aspects that may have been overlooked in earlier studies that are connected to the current study. Hence, this study seeks to examine newspapers readership patterns among civil servants in rivers state.
Related Project Materials
CONTRIBUTIONS OF CASSAVA ENTERPRISE TO SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF ENTREPRENEURS IN SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
Cassava, being an important staple, is widely grown in Nigeria. Potential contribution of Cassava Enterprise (CE) to Socioeconom...
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF BIRTH PATTERN
Abstract
This study examined the birth pattern in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) using the University of Abuja Teac...
IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PROFESSION
ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to examine the impact of technology changes in accounting professio...
THE PERCEIVED EFFECTIVENESS OF PUNISHMENT ADMINISTERED ON STUDENTS BY SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
In Nigeria today, acts of delinquency and violence among secondary school students have become a...
THE EFFECTS OF GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGEMENT ON PRODUCTIVITY OF DELTA TEXTILE MILL
ABSTRACT
The main focus of this study is to examine the effect of good public relation management on productivity in Del...
PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF INFORMATION MATERIALS IN RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY CENTRAL LIBRARY
ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to examine the P
ABSTRACT: THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS ON BUSINESS PRACTICES This research...
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM When oil is spilt into the environment, it causes different kinds of pollution that have serious adverse effects on...
Abstract: This research investigates the influence of family dynamics on early childhood learning outcomes i...
ABSTRACT This study assessed the implementation of Early Childhood Care Development Education in Nigeria (a study of Plateau State). The...
THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS ON BUSINESS PRACTICES
ACETYLATION OF SELECTED AGRICULTURAL WASTES- KINETICS AND APPLICATION FOR OIL SPILL CLEAN UP
THE INFLUENCE OF FAMILY DYNAMICS ON EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING OUTCOMES
ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION IN NIGERIA
