INFLUENCE OF PIONEER NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL ON READERS

INFLUENCE OF PIONEER NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL ON READERS

CHAPTER ONE

 

INTRODUCTION

  • Background of the Study

Information plays a vital role in the development of any individual. The quantity and quality of information at the disposal of the citizenry (both the urban and rural dwellers) to a large extent, determine the level of development.

Aliede (2005:218) in stressing the important to note that no society can survive today, if it is not properly informed about events that directly or indirectly affect it.

He however, points out the inequality in access to information between the urban and rural people of Nigeria noting that, apart from main government circle and a few private enterprises which are usually well informed, many local bodies lack access to organized information like pioneer newspaper.

Supporting the above view, MacBride et al (1980:137-157) note that information imbalances are of both quantitative and qualitative and exist within the Third World Countries. National development no doubt, is closely tied to availability and accessibility of information in a given environment. Where there is weak internal information flow structure, there is no national development because national development is a product of good information system. The goal of development can only be achieved where the information available is capable of exploring and exploiting the potentials of the people of different classes in the society for development purposes.

The quest for equality in information flow pattern at the global level by the Less Developed Countries of the world – which dominated other issues at various international meeting and conferences under the auspices of New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO), has been finally granted. However, after many decades of the freedom treaty, nothing on the positive side has been recorded, as there exist even more sinister internal information flow dichotomy between the urban and rural areas of the country. While the urban setting are experiencing what could be called “information overload‟ the rural dwellers perish for lack of information.

The nature of influence in information flow pattern in Nigeria puts perpetual worry on the minds of many, as it confirms on daily basis the postulations of some communication scholars, who believe that the ideas of New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) is impracticable in the Third World Countries.

MacBride et al (1980) state that New Information and Communication Order is noting but a mere “wishful thinking‟ arguing that the whole concept of influence of newspaper editorial on the reader is impracticability. They further urge the Third World Countries to accept the “reality‟ as what they are bargaining.

Ordinarily, one does not need a second thought to disprove the naïve idea of the two scholars above, but the greatest problems lie in the fact that when you measure their argument on the scale of reality, one cannot but accept the truthfulness of their assertions: “wishful thinking and impracticability.”

Looking at editorial news information flow pattern in rural areas, it has become pertinent to look within and be more conscious of internal information flow chart. The fact remains that the internal information structure is weak; therefore, the struggle for balance in information circle should start at home. National development can only be achieved in a society, where there is both quantitative and qualitative information accessible by individuals within.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

The problem of newspaper editorial on reader has become a perennial one in the life of rural areas dwellers and Nigeria in particular. The current state of information disparity creates a nation with two classes of people on parallel lines – the group that could be called information super-rich and another that could be described as information abject-poor.

As it is today, the information gap different readers is unimaginable. The negative effects of this phenomenon range from absolute deprivation of peoples‟ right to vital developmental information through total impoverishment of the majority to stunted national development because of information disparity on individuals. Potentials for national transformation are caged in ignorance, and majority of able-bodied individuals capable of turning the fortunes of the country around are lavishing due to information imbalance rural areas individuals.

A problem now arises as to why despite the loud outcry of most readers against the information flow disparity among us which they argue has stunted their development as regard to level illiteracy in rural areas. As can be clearly seen, the urban areas with sufficient infrastructural facilities and the literacy level are information-rich while the rural areas that are less endowed but nonetheless contain over 60 percent of the population that cannot read and understand the content of newspapers.

This research aims at studying in-depth the problems enunciated above with a view to making recommendations on how they will be solved and hence realize the expected speedy sustainable development.

 

  • Objectives of the Study
  1. Examine the challenges of pioneer newspaper editorial on readers in Abak.
  2. Identify the main causes of all the existing cases of information breakdown on the readers in Abak.

iii. Examine critically the whole process of information gathering, reading and disseminating in Abak.

 

1.3       Research Questions 

  1. What are challenges of pioneer newspaper editorial on readers in Abak?
  2. What are the main causes of all the existing cases of information breakdown in Abak?

iii.        What are the process of news gathering, reading and disseminating in Abak LGA?

1.5       Scope of the Study 

The research on the influence of on pioneer newspaper editorial on readers covers all the effect of newspaper editorial on readers in Abak.

1.6       Significance of the Study

The importance of scholarly and scientific work of this nature cannot be over emphasized. This research when completed will serve as:

  1. A wake-up call for practicing news editors to live up to expectation in their professional responsibility.
  2. It will also serve as a valuable material for researchers and students of Mass Communication who will wish to carry out research on this or similar areas.

iii. It will also add to the existing body of literature.

  1. The policy makers like government, non-governmental organizations (NGOS) and corporate bodies will find it useful in decision-making.
  2. A blueprint that will engender speedy national development.

 

1.7       Limitations of the Study

In the course of this research work, problems were encountered.

Carrying out a good research requires a lot of concentration and time. Due to the short time allowed for this research work coupled with academic work at the same time made it impossible to reach for more detail.

Lack of good source of research materials and inadequate finances to purchase some these materials also restricted the study. This affected the wide coverage needed for a comprehensive study of this nature.

1.8       Definition of Terms

The following terms are used in the research:

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