CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Communication as known everywhere has developed over a number of centuries. The sophisticated and complexity which characterized human communication in the modern world are the result of a very long and sustained effort by human beings to improve on one of the most fundamental aspects of their existence.
Thus, referring to this evolution, the McBride commission has noted that, “As the world has advanced the task of communication has become even more complex, in explaining this complexity, McBride and his colleagues (McBride et al, 1981, P.3), have this to say “ throughout history, human beings sought to improve their ability to receive and assimilate information about their surroundings at the same time to increase the speed, clarity and variety of their methods for transmission of information”- quoted in (Okunna, 1994 Page 1-2). Therefore, following the above assertion it can be submitted that, the origin of the media and its responsibility to disseminate information, most importantly in Nigeria context dates back to the era of the early press in the year 1800-1929. It was the very first time Newspaper emerged in the country in the name of “Iwe Irohin”.
However, the development of Nigerian press is purely classified into three as follows, from 1800-1920 (Early press), 1927-1960 (National press), 1960-date (Modern or Contemporary press). These were viewed as the chronological order of the evolution of print media. Thus, in 1940, the Presbyterian Mission established the first printing school in Calabar the reason for this, is to increase the literacy level of the people as of then. And, in 1845, an Anglican Missionary Rev. Henry Townsend, established another printing press as well as printing school at the mission compound in Abeokuta.
