The Role of the Print Media in Sport Development in Nigeria (A Case Study of the Complete Sports Newspaper)
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
- To know the contribution of print media to sports development
- To examine the challenges facing print media in reporting sports activities
- To know the qualities of the quality of sports reporters in sports development
- To analyse the functions of sports desk in every print outfit
- To study the aspect of sport which print media give priority?
- To know why sports activities are usually placed on the back cover of both the newspaper and magazine.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
The most important change that has taken place in the sport industry is the significant role the media is playing in the development of sports all over the world. Apart from the fact that the media has increased sports awareness and spectatorship among peoples of the world, it has also increased revenue generation which has enriched the various sports stakeholders. The media has been playing a catalyst role for the identification and the promotion of knowledge, information and understanding in a nation (Alimi, 2003). The mass media is regarded as the means of communication through which a large number of people could be reached. These include, newspapers, television, radio, films, handbills, posters, computer and internet (Hornby 1985).
The mass media [sharpens and re-orders] the perceptions of the readers and viewers in a particular event or happenings in the society and contributes to a reservoir of knowledge of the past and current events.
Acosta (2002) pointed out that competitive sports would only survive and develop with the cooperation of the media.
It is for this reason that sports must enjoy good relationship with the press, radio, and television.
The relationship should be effective, continuous, personal and open.
The presence of many media organizations in Nigeria has confirmed her being acclaimed to be the seat of journalism. In essence then, it is the country where sports journalism thrives.
SPORTS JOURNALISM
Sports journalism is a form of writing that reports on sporting topics and games. While the sports department within some newspapers has been mockingly called the toy department, because sports journalists do not concern themselves with the ‘serious’ topics covered by the news desk, sports coverage has grown in importance as sport has grown in wealth, power and influence.
Sports journalism is an essential element of any news media organization. Sports journalism includes organizations devoted entirely to sports reporting — newspapers such as Complete Sport news paper.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Methodology refers to how a researcher aims at reliable solution to problems through planned and systematic collection of analysis and interpretation of data.
RESEARCH DESIGN
The research is designed to obtain data as validly, accurately, objectively and economically as possible. The survey research method was used where a set of questionnaire were constructed, accompanied with an introduction.
POPULATION OF STUDY
The population to be considered in this case only includes those of which the research seems to revolve upon. The population therefore comprises of sport analysts, journalists and sport lovers within Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Benin City.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND DATA INTERPRETATION
This chapter presents the analysis of the data collected for the questionnaires administered and the findings form this analysis. The researcher made use of descriptive method involving the use of table and percentages.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
SUMMARY
The research work examined the role of the print media in the development of sport in Nigeria using complete sport news paper as a case study.
The research work clearly shown that the print media has contributed immensely to the development of sport in Nigeria.
When it comes to sport, the functions of the print media as well as sports journalists can not be over emphasized.
Sports journalism is an essential element of any news media organization. Sports journalism includes organizations devoted entirely to sports reporting — newspapers such as Complete Sport news paper.
CONCLUSION
Sport in Nigeria has grown from a humble beginning as an entertainment and recreational past time to a prominent phenomenon whose influence is felt in all facets of lives of the citizenry.
Nigerians are sports loving people with very high appetite for winning. Success at competitions creates a euphoric atmosphere with an injection of vibrancy and pride in the citizens.
Conversely, poor performance by Nigerian athletes at international competitions results in a lingering sourness and a contagious sadness that envelope everybody with negative effect on their health, psyche and activities. Sport is therefore as important to Nigerians as the basic necessities of life, like food, clothing and shelter. Consequently, sport has become an important aspect of the Nigerian culture due to its popularity amongst the citizenry.
The Nigeria State recognizes the power of sports and had used it to pursue its foreign policy and diplomatic agenda as well as foster national unity and socio-cultural integration. Examples are:
- The boycott of the 1978 Commonwealth Games by Nigeria in protest against the apartheid regime in South Africa.
- The hosting of the 1973 All Africa Games after the Nigerian civil war to demonstrate to the world that Nigeria is united, safe and secure.
- The introduction of the National Sports Festival in 1973 as a means of fostering unity and cultural integration after the Nigerian civil war.
Both print media like complete sport news paper and sports itself have therefore contributed to the oneness of the geographical entity called Nigeria and has equally brought about our binding spirit. In sports, Nigerians are detribalized
RECOMMENDATION
For print media to further contribute to sports development in Nigeria, elite athletes should be projected to enhance awareness and spectatorship.
Furthermore, the media should also project the campaign against bad health practice that promotes drugs in sports. This would go a long way to promote the positive contribution of sport to healthful living among participants and spectators.
The sports development policy has to be properly and publicly inaugurated at all levels to drum up awareness for its existence and consequent compliance with. It is only by so doing those stakeholders, no matter at what level they are operating, will be aware of the existence of the policy.
REFERENCES
- Acosta HR 2002. Managing Sport Organizations. Champaign, II: Human Kinetics.
- Alimi T 2003. Reports on Opening Session of Sports Workshop Organized by the Public Affairs Section. Lagos: United States Embassy.
- Hornby AS 1985. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English. Oxford: University Press.
- Mariadass T 2005. Educational Role of Sport Media. Proceedings of International Conference on Sport and Education, Celebrating 2005 United Nations International Year of Sport and Physical Education, October 30 – November 2, 2005. pp. 168-177.
- United Nations 2003. Sports for Development and Peace towards Achieving Millennium Development Goals. Report from the United Nations Outer – Agency Task Force on Sport for Development and Peace. U.S.: United Nations, pp. 17-21
- Aibueku, S.O. (2002): Analysis of the implementation of Nigeria’s Sports Development Policy in Grassroots institutions in Edo State. An unpublished Doctoral thesis submitted to the University of Benin.
