An Assessment of Photographs and Cartoons as Communication Instruments
Chapter One
Objectives of the Study
- To ascertain if the use of photographs and cartoons in Nigerian newspapers contributes to attracting the attention of newspaper readers in the Enugu Metropolis.
- To determine if newspaper readers view photographs and cartoons in newspapers as space fillers or as aids to readers’ understanding.
- To ascertain if newspaper readers view photographs and cartoons in newspapers as aiding the credibility of stories or if they are used for aesthetic appeal.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
This chapter deals with view of literature related to the study. It begins with the review of relevant concepts. Relevant empirical studies conducted by other scholars were also reviewed. The theoretical framework guiding the work was also reviewed.
Review of Concepts
This section presents a review of relevant concepts. The concepts reviewed include:
Newspaper
Newspaper is simply, a printed unbound paper that contains news about current political, economic, socio-cultural, educational, environmental, scientific-cum-technological and sundry affairs as well as other relevant sales information (Nwodu, 2006). A typical newspaper should therefore contain a blend of editorial contents (news, features/news commentaries, articles, letters-to-the editors etc.); advertorials (advertisements, supplements and other paid commercial contents) and pictorials (pictures and illustrations that complement the news contents).
Sanderman et al. cited in Baran (1999) defines newspaper as “an unbound printed publication issued at regular intervals which presents information in words, often supplemented with pictures”. The implication however, is that a typical newspaper is characterized as follows:
Unlike most publications that are bounded, newspapers are hardly bounded. Like every other print media, newspaper contents are usually permanent to the extent one can enjoy repeat exposure for as long as one is able to preserve a particular edition of a newspaper. It covers broad spectrum of interests ranging from politics, economic, socials, environmental, science, technology, and sundry subjects. It is offered periodically which could be daily, weekly or bi-weekly.
A newspaper therefore should contain news on current issues of public importance. It is an essential medium of mass communication which is found in almost all the nations and regions of the world.
In tracing the history of newspaper, the idea about documenting daily occurrences as news began in Rome during Caesar’s reign. Then, “the Acta Diurna (actions of the day), written on a tablet, was posted on the wall after each meeting of the Senate” (Baran; 1999, p.95). It is important to note that the posting was usually done on a wall not walls. The implication as Baran (1999, p.95) further informs is that “the circulation was one, and there is no reliable measure of its total readership”. So once the report of the actions of the Senate is posted on a particular wall, people who were desirous to know the latest news went to that particular point to read the action of the day. Those who could not go often inquired from those who were disposed to read up the posting.
However, in 1620 the documentation of events of the day on a tablet advanced to the stage of printed form. With this development, a one-page publication called Corantos was published. Then it was used to document specific news events hence, it was also called news sheet. The very first news sheet was printed in Holland in 1620 and imported in England. Soon after that production, Corantos became formidable tool in the hand of political actors who used it then to up their political ethos and interests.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter discussed the method used in the study. It contains the research design, the population of study, the sample and sampling technique, instrument of data collection, validity of data gathering instrument, validity and reliability of data collecting instruments, method of data collection, and method of data presentation and analysis.
Research design
The research design adopted for this study was the survey research method. As the name implies, survey is a research method, which focuses on a representative sample derived from the entire population of the study. The reasons for choosing survey method is because it aims not only at collection of data but also the discovering of meaning in the data collected so that the fact can be better interpreted, explained and understood.
Population of the study
The estimated population area of residents of Enugu East Local Government Area is 279,089. However, the study was focused on newspaper readers, which is considered an infinite population.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESETNATION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
The purpose of this study was to determine the “Assessment of readers’ perception of the use of photographs in Nigerian Newspapers. The chapter is concerned with the presentation and analysis of data generated through the administration of questionnaire.
123 copies of questionnaire were administered to the various respondents and 119 copies were recovered. This presented a response rate of return of 97%.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
The aim of this study was to “assess of photographs and cartoons as communication instruments in Nigerian newspapers”. In carrying out the study, the researcher adopted the survey research design, using the questionnaire for data gathering. Following the analysis of data and discussion of findings, this chapter concerns itself with the summary, conclusion and recommendations for adoption.
Summary of findings
The findings among others showed that:
- Majority of the respondents in Enugu metropolis pay attention to photographs in newspapers.
- Readers have different reactions to pictures that are displayed on Nigerian newspapers.
- Pictures are important to newspaper readers because the use of photographs on newspapers helps to get the reaction that readers feel about it.
- People are attracted to photographs on newspapers pages. More so, the introduction of professional journalism has made the face of newspaper today a standard one.
Conclusion
The findings of this study demonstrates that photographs communicate more than one thousand words and therefore play a crucial role in drawing the attention of readers to the most prominent news. Furthermore, pictures do have a strong influence on photojournalism, and readers in Enugu East have proven to understand news more coherently when photographs are used to deduce the message.
Recommendations
A research work involves an investigation geared towards increasing knowledge and providing ideas to solve problems. From this fact, coupled with an enthusiastic desire to ensure confirmatory evidence on this study, it is therefore deemed fit to make recommendations as follows:
- Visual images on newspapers must be reflective of the message it tends to pass to its numerous readers. A photograph on a newspaper page must connote the same message with the write-up that explains it.
- The Nigerian Press Council (NPC) must ensure that obstacles to the flow of information are investigated; ethical and professional standards in the media must be upheld.
- For the sake of professionalism, certain standard of learning and expectations must be met to be qualified as photojournalist.
Suggestion for further studies
The researcher suggests that further studies should be carried out on professional and ethical standards in the media.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books
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