EFFECT OF MODERN PRINTING TECHNOLOGIES ON NEWSPAPER PRODUCTION(A Study of Sensor and Pioneer Newspapers)

EFFECT OF MODERN PRINTING TECHNOLOGIES ON NEWSPAPER PRODUCTION(A Study of Sensor and Pioneer Newspapers)

ABSTRACT

This study examined effect of modern printing technologies on newspaper production (A case study of Sensor and Pioneer newspaper). The objectives were to ascertain if Sensor and Pioneer newspaper uses modern printing technology on its newspaper production, to ascertain if modern printing technology has led to increased readership. The method used in this study was survey researched in this method while the sampling technique was census sampling technique which was adopted in selecting the sample size. A total of eighty (80) subjects were selected from the total population of eighty (80). A total of eighty (80) copies of structured questionnaires being the primary data collection instrument were distributed to the staff of Sensor and Pioneer newspapers and sixty (60) copies were retrieved and found suitable for analysis. Tables and percentage were used to analyzed the data. The findings revealed that Sensor and Pioneer newspapers makes use of modern printing technology and the modern printing technology has helped to increase the readership. It was recommended every newspaper companies should endeavour to use modern printing technology in their publishing and government should encourage the use of modern printing technology by reducing the traffic on import of this technology.

 

TABLE OF CONTENT

CONTENTS TITLE                                                    PAGES

Fly Leaf

Title page                                                                                       i

Certification                                                                                  ii

Dedication                                                                                     iii

Acknowledgements                                                                       iv

Table of contents                                                                           v

Abstract                                                                                         vi

List of tables                                                                                  vii

List of Appendixes                                                                        xi

Abstract                                                                                         xii

1.0     INTRODUCTION                                                             1

• Background of the Study 1

1.2     Statement of the Problem                                                    9

1.3     Objectives of the Study                                                       10

1.4     Research Questions                                                             11

1.5     Scope of the Study                                                              12

1.6     Significance of the Study                                                    13

1.7     Researcher             `                                                            13

1.8     Limitations of the Study                                                     13

1.9     Definition of Terms                                                             13

2.0

 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1     Introduction                                                                         15  

2.2     Concept of Printing                                                             16

2.3     Concept of Newspaper                                                        24

2.4     The place of ICT in Nigeria printing media industry   26

2.5     Newspaper production                                                         32

2.6     Characteristics of newspaper publishing                             38

2.7     Concept of printing technology                                           43

2.8    History of Newspaper in Nigeria                                         48

2.9     Theoretical Framework                                                       55

2.10   Review of Study                                                                  59

3.0       RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1      Research Design                                                                  62

3.2       Population of the Study                                                       63

3.3       Sample and Sampling Procedure                                       63

3.4     Instrument for Data Collection                                            64

3.5     Validity and Reliability of Instrument                                65

3.6   Method of Data Presentation and Analysis                           66

4.0     DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

4.1       Data presentation and Analysis                                           67

5.0     SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1     Summary                                                                             77

5.2     Conclusion                                                                          78

5.3     Recommendations                                                               78

REFERENCES

 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1:  Distribution of respondents by gender                             67

Table 2: Distribution of respondents by Age  –                              68

Table 3: Distribution of respondents by Marital Status                69

Table 4: Educational qualification of respondents                        69

Table 5: Responses on use of modern printing technologies by both sensor and Pioneer newspaper                               70

Table 6: Responses on if the Modern Printing Technologies  have Increased Readership in both Sensor and Pioneer Newspapers                                                                     71

Table 7: Responses on if the use of modern technologies has attracted advertisement                           72

Table 8: Responses on if the Modern Printing Technologies

Have increase the revenue of both Sensor and Pioneer Newspapers                                                                    73

LIST OF APPENDICES

Questionnaire cover Letter

Questionnaire Appendix A

Questionnaire Appendix B

.  CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF STUDY

From creation, man has found the need to communicate or pass information through one means or the other. Initially, it started with archaic methods like drawings on the wall, the disturbance of the soil, the application of certain colors which imply significant meanings, touching, drumming, and sign language etc. Technology grew over decades and information was now being written on the paper known as newspapers.

When computer first was introduced to post-war America, it was portrayed as a friendly robot, a machine capable of vacuuming the floors for the beleaguered housewife, an electronic brain that could play chess and other games requiring highly developed skills like its technological predecessor, the telephone, it was not at first envisioned (Colin 1977).

It was termed artificial intelligence, just as the printing press in its incubation period was termed artificial writing. Few, if any persons envisioned the newspaper industry. Publishers turned to the computer with varying degrees of success, to solve problems which the industry faced as it entered the decade of the 1960s. Once the new technology arrived in the pressroom, however, it precipitated the re-emergence of an age old problem: man versus the machine a problem which dates on the pasture and the plough gave way to one based on industry. Besides its impact on the ranks of labour, the computer, once it entered the newsroom itself, transformed the organization of the press. The earliest newspapers date back to the Roman Empire and were simply hand written documents posted in public. These early newspapers contained the information of the day such as new laws and general public information. Citizens rarely had the opportunity to take copies of these papers due to the expense of producing multiple copies for distribution before printing technology was invented, scribes would spend large amounts of time copying books and other documents by hand.

When Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press during the 1440s, a revolution in information began. The Gutenberg printing press greatly increased the speed at which books another written document could be produced. It was a simple technology and consisted of individual letters or characters being arranged by hand to produce a plate. The plate was placed into the press and covered with ink and could be used to produce many copies of a particular page. A blank sheet of paper was placed into the press and the ink covered plate was then pressed onto it producing the completed page. Each page printed press technology was incorporated into the newspaper industry shortly after its invention. This allowed for wide spread distribution of newspapers as well as books. Newspaper printing technology has gone through another type of revolution in recent years. Over the past several decades, many newspapers became sluggish. They had been accustomed to raking in revenue without much competition after the onset of the internet; newspapers are realizing they will encounter a financial crisis if they do not keep up with new technological competitors. Now, newspaper businesses are embracing technology as a way to meet audience’s expectations (Everett 2011).

The technologies used newspaper and printing companies have advanced significantly since the invention of the printing press. Technology such as the invention of the computer and computer software, digital cameras, as well as creation of the internet have all worked together to change newspaper production. These electronic machines have the ability of processing a large amount of time. Eventually, computer engineers developed software technology which allows the operation of a computer to be easily changed. Eventually software companies created programs for the specific purpose of producing newsletters, greeting cards, calendars, and many other items. This type of software technology became known as desktop publishing. The newspaper industry eventually incorporated this technology into their business, due to added ease of creating the product. The development of desktop publishing software has dramatically changed newspaper page layout. Technologies such as Adobe page maker, Quark express, and Microsoft publisher are widely used by both large and small newspaper companies. Before the use of computers, reporters would type their story in a specific format which would allow the text to be physically placed on the page. This was done to ensure the article would fit correctly before the press was set for production. Today, reporters can simply send their story to layout personnel who electrically change the formatting to match what is needed. The software allows text to be easily resized or modified to match the needs of layout personnel. The page can be displayed on the screen of the computer or a single copy can be printed for review before production begins.

Advancement in electronics has also led to the invention of digital cameras and digital photography. Newspaper companies have always incorporated photographs into their stories. These pictures add to the story by giving the reader a better understanding of events. Digital photography has increased the speed of page layout by giving newspapers the ability to take photos directly from the camera and place them on the page through the use of time spent in the darkroom, digital photography has helped to reduce the cost to the newspaper industry. This was done by the elimination of films as well as film development equipment. Photographers also have the ability to review the photos they’ve taken instantly to increase their exposure.

Along with providing printed news, many newspapers have turned to the internet to increase their exposure. The internet is viewed by people from around the world who have access to a computer. A connection to the internet is provided by an internet service provider. The internet has become a tool for business and adverting, as well as recreation for millions of people. Technologies such as Electronic ink combine the internet and electronics in an attempt to increase the speed of distribution and cut the costs of printing. While many newspaper competition. Newspapers must be printed and distributed to subscribers as well as retailers. All of this processing and printing of information takes time while the internet allows for breaking news stories to be posted immediately.

A benefit of the internet is the ability to transfer files electronically. Stories which are written by a reporter can be in the possession of layout personnel written moments. This is possible even when they are on opposite sides of the world. File Transfer Protocol (FTP), which is used by the internet, allows for the transfer of text file as well as pictures electronically from one computer to another. Over the past several decades, many newspapers become sluggish. They had been accustomed to raking in revenue without much competition. After the onset of the internet, newspapers are realizing they will encounter a financial crisis if they do not keep with new technologies competitor. Now, newspaper businesses are embracing technologies as a way to meet audiences’ expectations (Everett, 2011).

The responsibility of a newspaper is to keep the public informed of stories which affect the readers. Technologies involved in the production have evolved with each generation, greatly increasing the production speed and availability of news stories.  The faster a newspaper has the information available and ready for printing the less time it takes to produce the pages. The above background therefore form the basis for the study which has its focus on the effect of modern printing technologies on sensor newspaper, Uyo.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Newspaper printing technologies has gone through another type of revolution in recent years. The technologies used by newspaper and printing companies have advanced significantly since the invention of the printing press. Technologies such as the invention of the computer and computer software, digital camera, as well as the creating of the internet have all worked together to change newspaper production. These electronic machines have the ability of processing a large amount of information in a relatively short amount of time.

This modern technologies produces neatness and clarity to the newspapers and subsequently makes it attractive to readers. It also helps in the wide circulation of newspapers to increase advertisement revenue and wide readership. Once a newspaper in not neat and readable, once the pictures are not clear to the reader will not understand what is being read hereby leading to loss of customers. This therefore calls for a question is sensor newspaper using modern printing technology in the newspaper in their newspaper production? If so what are the effects of modern printing technologies the news paper production?

1.3     OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

          The following objectives were designed for the study:

1. To ascertain if sensor and pioneer newspapers use modern technologies in the newspaper production.
2. To find out if modern production technologies have helped to increase the income of sensor and pioneer newspapers.
3. To ascertain if modern printing technologies have led to increased readership.
4. To determine whether modern printing technologies on newspaper production attract advertisers.

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EFFECT OF MODERN PRINTING TECHNOLOGIES ON NEWSPAPER PRODUCTION(A Study of Sensor and Pioneer Newspapers)