AN ASSESSMENT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ICT ON PERFORMANCE OF BROADCAST MEDIA ORGANISATION IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The purpose of embarking on this study is to provide a detailed assessment of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
on the performance of Broadcast media Organisation in Nigeria. The objectives were to thoroughly examine the relevance of the
new ICTs, to evaluate the value, importance and quality of ICTs in Nigeria Broadcast Media Organisations. A total of 100 respondents
were selected from the population; 50 from Enugu State Broadcasting Service and another 50 from those members of the public who
have access to the media house. The stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used. The data generated were
analyzed using simple descriptive and statistical tools such as simple percentages, tabular presentations and frequency
distributions. Data gathered from the study were analyzed and interpreted using simple percentage and tables. Also summary of
findings, conclusion and recommendations were made on the study for further studies this include regular disbursement of
monthly/quarterly subventions from the government to the media and the upgrading of operational equipments, engineering and
communication gadgets, these are meant for policy formulation on the relationship between mass media and Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs), its assessment
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background of the study (introduction)
1.2 Statement of problem
1.3 Objectives/purpose of the study
1.4 Significance of the study
1.5 Research questions
1.6 Theoretical framework
1.7 Scope of the study
CHAPTER TWO
Literature/Empirical Review
2.1 Introduction
2.2. Review of Concepts 2.2.1 Communication
2.2.2 The concept of Broadcasting
2.2.3 Roles of Broadcast Media
2.2.4 Characteristics of Broadcast Media
2.2.5 ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) 2.2.6 Types of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTS) 2.3
Theoretical Frame Work 2.3.1 The Technological Determinism Theory 2.3.2 Diffusion of Innovation Theory 2.4 Summary of
the Study
CHAPTER THREE
Methodology
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Description of the research population
3.3 Sampling techniques
3.4 Sample size
3.5 Instrument for data collection
3.6 Validity and reliability of research instrument
3.7 Procedure for data collection
3.8 Method of data presentation and analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
Presentation and Interpretation of Findings
4.1 Description of Data Relevant to each Research Question
4.1.1 Research Question 1
4.1.2 Research Question 2
4.1.3 Research Question 3
4.1.4 Research Question 4
4.2 Discussion and Interpretation of Results
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
Bibliography
Appendix
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1. BACKGROUND OF STUDY
Human existence would have been meaningless without Information and Communication. Ideas, values, policies and every aspect
of socio-cultural, political and economic obligation within the human environments would have been difficult to achieve without
adequate dose of information and communication. As a result, information acts as grease for lubricating the entire society.
However, the invention of modern means communication with the help of civilization made possible the advancement of science
and technology the world has become a global village.
Ekwelie and Okonkwo (1983:16-62) recorded that “at one time, man depended on iron and wooden gong, the town crier for the
exchange, transmission and dissemination of information and vital news,” but aer the second (II) world war, a great leap was made
from this tasking mode of information dissemination to a more advanced, mechanized method of transmitting message or news.
Broadcasting came to Nigeria in stages, one of which was the introduction of wired broadcasting more popularly known as radio
distribution or re-diffusion in 1939 by the colonial government of British Broadcast Co-operation (BBC) to redistribute its
programme by means of wires connected to loudspeakers installed in various homes of subscribers. It was developed in the United
Kingdom (UK) in the 1920’s and exported to their colonies. However, its introduction to Nigeria was on the initiative of the engineers
of the post of telegraph department in Lagos who had been involved in monitoring the transmission of the BBC on short wave. Since
then, the Nigerian mass media industry has witnessed a phenomenal growth since the establishment of Nigeria Broadcasting
Service in 1957 and the country’s first television station, set up by the then government of the former western region in 1959. The
establishment of western Nigerian Broadcasting Service combined Radio and African first Television service triggered a race by the
other two regions to setup theirs. The information and Communication as a loose term in describing ways in which people,
machines and communication system can work together to make jobs quicker, more efficient and more accurate.
Siegfried Mandel (1962:22) stated that the world crossed into “information superhighway”, and it is this information superhighway
that has tremendously changed the role of communication and information dissemination in the society. Today, with the help of
great innovation and scientific inventions, mass communication has been revolutionized with the help of Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs). Now we talk about satellite transmission and communication, computer communication,
digital broadcasting system, computer, internet information and Communication, digital cellular phones (like GSM), fibre optics,
microwave technologies, radio visual systems, robots enterprise so ware among others.
Information and Communication Technologies has made it possible for dissemination of information evenly and to a wide range of
audience especially with the advent of GSM in Nigeria, both the literate, illiterate, urban and rural dwellers alike are kept abreast of
vital issues, thereby closing up communication gap or information. Therefore, in realization of this views, it interests the
researchers to assess the application of Information and Communication Technologies in the Enugu State Broadcasting Service
(ESBS) station.
When Marshal McLuhan talked about the global village many years ago, people at that time thought he was a joker. The new
communication technologies have made people become increasingly involved in one another’s life. As Baran, (1999:51) observes,
technologies not itself a medium but a social force bringing changes to the media world. Therefore, communication is any artifacts
manipulated by man to aid him communicate interpersonally or massively.
The impact of the information technology on media industry has been improved. Information can reach people around the world
within seconds, for instance, digital technology has placed us at a point of a new significant way of development in the history of
human communication oen called “the Information society” and has transformed the way many men and women work in the
media industry (Ilo 2002:22) information can be sent all around the world within seconds with the new technologies, and news can
reach people when it happens.
1.2. Statement of the Research Problem
The new information and communication technologies have been envisaged by some by some people as the threshold of globalizing
the world. Information Technology acts as a great facilitator in globalizing, uniting the disintegrated world and enabling people to
gain access to knowledge and services. There is no doubt that the world is becoming homogenous and differences between people
are distinguishing. So, there is need for the Nigeria media to live up to the challenges.
There are many opinions that ESBS station cannot compete well with the rest of its counterparts in Nigeria because of so many
teething problems such as lack of facilities, obsolete equipment, inadequate training, poor finance and government interference. As
a result, this research will investigate these assertions to ascertain the truth of the matter. Moreover, it will go further to find out
whether the application of information and communication technologies has impacted or enhanced the Broadcast media
organization in Nigeria by adding value, importance or quality to it.
1.3. Objectives of the Study
The overall objective of this study was to assess the use of ICTs in the performance of Nigerian broadcast media. However, the
specific objectives include:
- To ascertain the level of application of ICTs in Enugu State Broadcasting Service
- To identify the factors responsible for that level of performance Enugu State Broadcasting Service with the use of ICT
- To assess the implication of the present level of ICTs performance in Enugu State Broadcasting Service
- To recommend ways of improving the adoption and enhanced performance of
Enugu State Broadcasting Service with the use of ICT.
1.4. Significance of the Study
The value, importance or quality of ICTs in media development cannot be over emphasized; It is one thing for a medium to adopt the
use of ICTs for reliability and efficiency while another which neglects it cannot meet the pace of globalization trend, but it will be an
immerse benefit to media outfits who adopt it and make use to it in their operations.
1.5. Research Questions
In the course of the study, attempts were made to provide answers to the following questions which served as a guide in
the entire process. - What is the assessment level of ICTs in the performance of Enugu State Broadcasting Service
- Why is Enugu State Broadcasting Service still operating at that level of ICTs for performance?
AN ASSESSMENT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ICT ON PERFORMANCE OF BROADCAST MEDIA ORGANISATION IN NIGERIA
