ABSTRACT

This study was designed to evaluate and identify some challenges in using modern technology by broadcast journalists in Radio Rivers Port Harcourt and other media houses at large. A survey research design was used for the study. The population for the study comprised the broadcasting media of Radio Rivers Port Harcourt, the simple random sampling was used to select a hundred and twenty (120) respondents from the population. The instrument used for data collection was the appeared questionnaires. The analysis technique used was the simple percentage. Five (5) research questions were raised for the study. The study revealed that some factors such as; lack of expertise inability to use modern media technologies, and low ICT training and knowledge among journalists were the challenges in using modern technologies by broadcast journalists. Based on the findings and realisation of the potential of using modern technologies, in broadcasting, it was recommended that Radio Rivers Port Harcourt should increase their knowledge in the application of (ICT) in broadcasting.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The term ICT means information and communication technology. ICT has digitalized communication to be faster, sharper and cheaper. It is a convergence. By this convergence, all forms of communication such as interpersonal, group and mass communication are now carried in the same device and this device is the internet and Worldwide Web (www) which has erased the once distinction between media system. This kind of technology (ICT) is not linear as oppose to the traditional mass system, it allows or encourages peoples’ participation in sending and receiving information as they are no longer mere receivers of media messages, through teleconferencing, and web surfing or chat room. People participate, exchange information and ideas on different media contents or messages.

The 21st Century technologies have brought about swift revolution in virtually every sector of human life from agriculture to medicine, transportation, and engineering and information technology.

Information is said to be the backbone of every society. Good, accessible and veritable information is empirical to national development.

Developing countries are always found wanting in this aspect of information and communication technology (ICT) as lots of intervening variables are responsible; training facilities and professionalism i.e. lack of information communication technology knowledge in broadcasting, the improper use of ICT by broadcasters/journalists. Also electrical power supply is a challenge in ICT programs in developing countries, in particular Nigeria, as most of these technologies is enhancing by electrical power.

In general, ICT is a communication technology which uses internet, digital cameras, phones, e-mail, fax technology, and social network such as facebook, YouTube and computer as a tool to enhance this today. We are living in the era of information and communication technology, which is shaping the world into a global world such that man now depends more on information technology.

As Lynne Schater Gross and R. Dean Mills (1991. Pg. 421) put it. We now live in information society in which more than half of our gross national product is generated by creation and distribution of information as contrasted with the production of goods.

Today media practitioners are moving from the old ways of passing information and embracing the new information and communication technology for example; the use of big cameras, the use of letters to pass information is now replaced with internet and computer to journalists. ICT in broadcasting has made the passing of information easier for effective communication.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Journalism is regarded as a big business and of high cost. But in developing countries like Nigeria with limited resources towards communication the case is different. The introduction of digital broadcasting has helped to increase the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) in broadcasting. But in spite of the progress made in the invention and application of ICT in broadcasting, there are still challenges facing the use of ICT in broadcasting for example; the lack of ICT knowledge in broadcasting; the improper use of ICT by broadcast journalists; and also inadequate electrical power supply, as most of these technologies are enhance by electrical power.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to look at the challenges in using modern technologies (ICT) by broadcast journalists and its positive effects.

Specifically, the study ex-rayed the problems faced by Radio Rivers media practitioners when using modern technologies.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the challenges in using modern technologies among staff of Radio Rivers Journalists?
2. How relevant are these media technologies are to the growth and development of journalists in Radio Rivers?
3. Does the use internet enhance easy access to information for journalists in Radio Rivers?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

1. Ho: (Null Hypothesis) there are no challenges in using modern technologies among staff of Radio Rivers Journalists?

H1: (Alternate Hypothesis) there are challenges in using modern technologies among staff of Radio Rivers Journalists?

1. HO: There are no relevance in using modern technologies for the growth and development of journalists in Radio Rivers?

H1:  There are relevance in using modern technologies for the growth and development of  journalists in Radio Rivers?

1. HO: The use of internet does not enhance easy access to information for journalists in Radio Rivers?

H1:  The use of internet enhances easy access to information for journalists in Radio Rivers?

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This research work will be a very important material to the River State Government as well as practitioners of broadcast media both in Nigeria and other developing countries. As this will create awareness and accelerate the use of modern technologies in broadcasting media all over the country. For students of journalism who intend to build a career in the electronic media, it will be very necessary material to keep them inform of the globalisation trend in broadcasting media. For the interested publics, it will provide a source of knowledge on the existence of various electronic media technologies as they will no longer be mere consumers of media messages but active participants.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY/DELIMITATION

This study is delimited to the population of the broadcast media practitioners in Radio Rivers Port Harcourt. It is also concerned with data generated from questionnaire given to staff of Radio Rivers journalists.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Broadcast: Broadcast is something that you hear on radio or see on television. To broadcast a programme means to send signals out by radio waves.

Technology: Technology is the usage and knowledge of tools, techniques, craft and system of organization in order to solve a problem or it is the application of science to solve a problem.

Modern:  Modern means relating to the present time. It’s also means the latest of the present times or recent times.

Internet:  This is an intimidating network where each computer can exchange information with every other computer that is connected to it, no matter its location in time or space. This system is not owned by anybody; it is not run by anybody and the most of it service are free.