Undergraduate Readership of Online Newspapers a Study of Delta State Students
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
The major objective of this study is to examine the readership of online newspapers by Delta State University students. In addition, the study shall be guided by the following objectives.
- To find out whether Delta State University student read online newspapers.
- To find out the frequency at which Delta State University students read online newspapers.
- To find out why Delta State University students read online newspapers.
- To determine the factors that discourages Delta State University students from reading online newspaper.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Concept of Newspaper
Some communication scholars attempt a definition of what a newspaper means. According to Sanderman et al. cited in Okunna and Omenugha, (2012) defines newspaper as an unbound printed publication issued at regular intervals which presents information in words, often supplemented with pictures. In the same line Nwodu (2006) also describes Newspaper as a printed unbound paper that contains news about current political, economic, socio-cultural, educational, environmental, scientific-cum-technological and sundry affairs. Okunna and Omenugha (2012) simply define newspaper as “news-carrying paper” because the happenings contained in the newspaper are new and timely and therefore qualify as news.
The implication, however, is that a typical newspaper is unlike most publications that are bounded, newspapers are hardly bounded. Like every other print media mode, 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 and that the newspaper covers a broad spectrum of interests ranging from politics, economics, socials, environmental, science, technology, and sundry subjects. Furthermore, the publication of a newspaper could be daily, weekly or bi-weekly (Okunna & Omenugha, 2012).
Concept of Readership
The concept of readership is central to the newspaper. Readership is an abstract concept which captures the act of reading. The concept, though difficult to define, is usually associated with newspapers, magazines and all kinds of periodicals. Thus, readership is the number or type of people who read a particular newspaper, magazine (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 2010). Bottle PR, a UK based agency established in 2004, defines readership as “a general term that refers to the number of people reading a particular publication, including both the individual who purchased the publication and others who have read it (Bottle PR, 8th February 2011). The Huntsville Time website (8th February 2011) defines readership as “the number of adults (18+) in a specified geographic area who “read or looked into the publication yesterday” (cited in Obaid, 2013).
To read is to get ideas from printed or written materials. Reading is a way of acquiring knowledge. Oyeyemi (2005) observed that reading is a means of tapping knowledge from superior minds. Reading is a term used to refer to an interaction by which meaning encoded in visual stimuli by an author makes meaning in the mind of the reader. It involves the recognition of printed or written symbols which serve as stimuli for the recall or meaning through the intellectual manipulation of concepts already possessed by the reader. The resulting meanings are thereafter organized into thinking process according to the purpose adopted by the reader, such an organization leads to modified thought and/or behaviour, or else leads to a new behaviour which takes its place either in person or in social development.
From another perspective, reading is defined as the vocalization of words in a given passage and the process of giving meaning to materials. This definition refers to reading aloud, which beginners do quite often and enables teachers to detect and to correct errors spontaneously.
Although, reading can be done aloud, but vocalization in the course of silent reading slows down reading pace. For reading to be effective, it should be done with a good speed. Reading speed is expressed in the number of character or words read per minute. Johnson (1999) observed that there are two types of reading, namely, reading aloud and silent reading. Reading aloud involves audible vocalization of what is being read and is good for young learners because it exposes error for timely corrective measure. Reading aloud is used for speech delivery in public gatherings, and is also the format for dictation and oral comprehensive tests. In silent reading, the reader reads in the inside of him. In other words, he does not vocalize what he reads. Wide reading imposes reading silently and this is necessary for developing the reading habit, effective reading and for a profound understanding of literate and technical tests.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
This study adopted descriptive quantitative survey approach. Survey design is a technique that entails gathering data about opinions, attitude and behavior from portion of a population as the representative of the population (Asika, 2004). Baran and Davis (2004) explained that, survey method is preferable when the population under study is too large for a researcher to realistically study.
Population of Study
Population is an entire group of individuals, events or objects under study (Nwodo, 2006). The population of this study was the entire youths of Delta State University Abraka. The total number of the students is said to be about 15,000 (TSU-Registry, 2018/2019). However, the population frame of this study was Mass communication students. The students are considered more appropriate for this study based on the fact that their course of study in particular requires that they read newspaper, hence investigating their newspaper readership pattern became very important. The total number of the students of the department at the moment was 630 (Administrative Office, Mass communication Department, 2019).
Sample Size and Techniques
A sample is precisely a part of a population that will represent the population in a given study (Orodho, 2005). Sample must be carefully selected to be the true representative of the under-study population. The sample size for this study is 242 respondents. This sample size was determined based on Krejcie and Morgan sampling Table. According to the Table, a sample of 242 is valid enough to represents a population of 600-700. Thus, since the population of this study was 630, the recommended sample size (242) was considered appropriate. In this work, the researchers adopt stratified and random sampling methods. In this regard, the population frame (Mass communication Department, Delta State University Abraka) was stratified into four strata based on levels (1-4). In each level a number of respondents was allocated proportionally. The essence is to ensure representation of all levels according to their numerical strength. After the allocation, random sampling method was employed to select respondents. This is so in order to eliminate any form of bias in selecting respondents.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Results from table 1 showed more male (58.2%) respondents than female (42.3%), and majority of respondents were between 20 – 30 years of age. All the classes or Levels in Mass Communication Department were represented in the study. Of the 239 respondents, 12.6% were in 100 Level, 18.8% were in 200 level and 18.8% were in 300 Level.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS,CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The study investigated newspaper readership among university students with a focus on Mass communication students. The study basically sought to find the type of newspaper the students preferred, the extent the students are read their most preferred newspapers and the manner in which they access the papers. Furthermore, the study looked at the subject of interest which the students sought from newspapers as well as the challenges militating against newspaper readership among the students. It was discovered that there is low newspaper readership among the students. The student preferred general interest newspapers particular Daily Trust and the Sun Newspapers, however, the extent the students read the newspaper is occasionally or once in a while. Furthermore, the work found that the manner in which the few students access papers include through borrowing and vendor stand-free-reading. A very minute portion of the respondents purchase newspaper with their money.
In addition, the study revealed that politics and sport are the major subjects of interest which the students often seek from newspaper readership. The study further identified problems militating against newspaper readership among the students and these problems include lack of money, prevalent of online newspaper and poor supply of newspaper in the University library and the Department.
The findings of this study as seen above support the assertion of the Uses and Gratification Theory, which served as the theoretical framework of this study. According to the theory, audience of Mass media are very active they deliberately select and exposed themselves only to media channels that would provide certain gratification or reward such as information reward, leisure or entertainment among others. Apt to this study is the fact that hardcopy newspaper is not receiving significant attention due to the fact that the medium has not lack capacity to provide needed gratifications to the students in the manner that they would be motivated to access and read the papers despite all challenges.
Newspaper is a viable tool for the dissemination of information, enlightenment and shaping of public opinion and so its readership important and educative to students. This study established that there is low newspaper readership among Mass communication students, Delta State University Abraka. Most of the students read newspaper occasionally which might be related to issues of assignment common to Mass Communication studies. This attitude to newspaper readership might deny the student’s privilege to useful information contain in various newspapers as well as the opportunity of learning to see that newspaper on their own enhance students’ reading and comprehension skills.
As Mass Communication students, the need to read the newspaper is high, this is because the act would significantly help student improve their writing skills as well as get informed with news and current happenings in the society. However, the current status of newspaper readership in the institution and in particular among Mass Communication students is worrisome and which need serious attention by all stakeholders in the department and the University as a whole.
The following recommendations were made based on the findings of the study.
- The Management of the school should provide daily newspapers in the University libraries to enable willing students and other readers gain access.
- Similarly, the department of Mass communication should collaborate with the Mass Communication Students Association (MACOSA) to create newspaper hub or stand within the department in which students can have access to the papers.
- The department can also establish a resource centre in which several contents, including newspapers can be kept for references and research purposes.
- Leading newspapers like Daily Trust and the Sun which are the most preferred among the students should establish a newspaper stand in the university in which the students can have access to the papers on daily business at subsidized rate.
- The students of the department should be encouraged to form newspaper reading club in which members would be contributing less among weekly to provide newspapers for the club members at others who care for newspapers.
- The students should also sensitize on the importance of reading read hardcopy newspapers despite the prevalent of online newspapers
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