THE ADVENT OF MODERN COMMUNICATION GADGETS: IMPLICATIONS FOR NIGERIAN JOURNALISM

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the advent of modern communication gadgets: implications for Nigerian journalism. To achieve this aim, the survey research method and chi-square were used. Subjects were drawn from journalists in Makurdi metropolis in Benue State, using the purposive sampling technique. Three research questions and one alternative hypothesis guided the study. Research findings showed that social media have enhanced the productivity of journalists in Makurdi metropolis and a great number of journalists use them to source for news among other things. To this end, the researcher recommended that journalists should carry out a research on the available modern communication gadgets in order to identify reliable and trustworthy social networking sites and use them to discharge their journalistic duties. The researcher suggested that further studies should be carried out on the role of social media in sustaining democracy, advertising, public relations and public opinion polls.

CHAPTER ONE

                                                  INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background of the study

Communication is so central to human existence and all human activities that it would be fool hardy for any group or nation to put it in the background in its economic, political, social and other activities infact, we are bold to say that communication is the most vital factor in building an organized, united and progressive nation; the without it, there will be no national entity and no effective solution to national problems and national development.  All these can be confidently said because of the obvious fact that all human activities take place in cross-five of information flow and communication, whether in inter-personal, group, local, state national or international level.

Man was created to be gregarious and because of these qualities, they have always had to fall back on one another in interaction recognized as human communication.

This refers to the process of transmitting message, idea and attitudes and creating meanings between two and more people usually through the natural facilities of the human voices, sensory organ,s facial expressions, body manipulations and lately machine-assisted channels or devices.  Even now, the import and importance of communication in our modern and sophisticated society cannot be over emphasized.

The awareness for these necessities introduced mass communication into the world.  It is a process by which a complex organization with the aid of one or more machine produce and transmit message directed at large, nitrogenous, diversified and scattered audience.  It is also the act of communicating to mass audience through the use of mass media such as books, newspapers, magazines, films, radio, television and computers to mention but fees, that the field of journalism in Nigeria have used as a medium to get information across the audience.  Communication had been in existence all the while but it was never a kind of mass involvement because the world them lacked advanced equipments or gadgets that could carry these messages and information to many people at the same time (mass effect).  The great  innovations of communication gadgets from early 30’s to date has changed communication from primitive kind to modern (mass) kind.

Mass communication gadgets is as old as mass communication itself because the nation of getting people involved in communication in mass would have remained in the background if the gadgets were not modern minced or advanced technological.  Mass communication started with Johannes Gutenberg invention of the printing press.

This invention led to proliferation of the print materials such as books, newspapers and magazines, through these media more people were reached as it concerns communication.  The electronics media communication came on the scene with the invention of such gadgets as radio and television.

1.2     Significance of the study

Due to the valuable and irretrievable use of the mass media and communication devices in all departments of life, one cannot over emphasis the significance of this study.  Being a kind of historical study, it would lead to the integrated narration or description of past events or facts concerning all technological devices fashioned to aid communication.

This study is a contribution to already existing work on the course (advent of modern communication gadgets, and its implications for Nigerian Journalism.  Every researcher who is likely to embark on any kind of research on this course would find this study very useful.  This study would also be useful to communication students – it would explain adequately the advent growth and modernization of communication gadgets.

Generally the study can be assimilated by all lovers of history with scientific mind of discovery and understanding situations, cases and implications.  At the end of this study; the background growth and modifications of the modern communication gadgets would be carefully treated.

1.3      Objectives of the study

The past findings on this issue by various groups have given us greater misprision and has called to challenge our curious minds.  We have therefore taken up the challenge to share in the glory contributing towards thronging more light on the advent of modern communication gadgets with the following objectives.

1.   To gain a clear understanding and accurate accounts of the past as it concern communication gadgets.

2.   To gain clearer perspective of the present as it concern communication gadgets.

3.   To be able to give adequate companism between the abetment mean of communication (gadgets) and the modern ones.

4.    The implication of modern communication gadgets for Nigerian journalism.

1.4    Research Questions

1.      To what extent are journalists in Makurdi metropolis exposed to modern communication gadgets?

2.      What type of modern communication gadgets do journalists in Makurdi metropolis prefer?

3.      How have modern communication gadgets enhanced the productivity of journalists in Makurdi metropolis?

1.5      Research Hypothesis

H1: There is significant difference between journalists in Makurdi metropolis who use modern communication gadgets and those who do not.

1.6     Scope of the Study

  This study is focused on journalists in Makurdi metropolis and not necessarily conclusive for journalists in other parts of Nigeria. Since journalists share common characteristics and skills, data generated from this study and the result obtained thereof, can be applied to all journalists.

1.7  Significance of the Study

 This study will be of immeasurable importance to journalists, media organizations, news agencies, editors, lecturers and students in the field of journalism and mass communication as well as other researchers who will want to embark on same study as this.

  The study will help journalists to source useful information using modern communication gadgets as well as provide them with a guide on how to write online stories. It will also help journalists to interact with their audience and identify their information needs. The study will also help journalists who have rarely embraced modern communication gadgets to do so in order to increase their productivity.

1.8  Operational Definition of Significant Terms

A.    Social media: The term social media refers to the Internet-based social networking websites developed to specifically help people share their views and stay in touch with their friends, relatives and well wishers.

B.     Media: media in this study are Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social media networking tools that journalists use to disseminate information to a large heterogeneous audience.

C.     Journalism: this is the practice of writing, editing, and disseminating information to the public.

D.    Modern journalism: it is a term used to describe the new era in journalism where internet and computers are used in almost every journalistic activity. 

Gadget: Any device or machine or a consumer electronics products