TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER TITLE PAGE
Fly Leaf
Title Page – – – – – – – i
Certification – – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgements – – – – – iv
Table of Contents – – – – – – vi
List of Tables – – – – – – ix
List of Appendices – – – – – – x
Abstract – – – – – – – xi
1.0 INTRODUCTION – – – – – 1
- Background of the Study – – – – – 1
- Statement of the Problem – – – – – 5
- Objectives of the Study – – – – – 5
- Research Questions – – – – – 6
- Significance of the Study – – – – – 6
- Scope of the Study – – – – – – 6
- Limitations of the Study – – – – – 7
- Definition of Terms – – – – – 7
2.0 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE – – 10
2.1 History of Newspaper in Nigeria – – – 10
2.2 Concept of Newspaper – – – – – 16
2.2.1 A Typical Newspaper Department – – – 18
2.2.2 Newspaper Ownership Patter in Nigeria – – 19
2.2.3 Classification of Newspaper – – – – 23
2.2.4 Formats of Newspaper – – – – – 24
2.2.5 Contents of Newspaper – – – – – 24
2.3 Concept of Daily Sun Newspaper – – – 27
2.3.1 Newspaper and its Usefulness in the Society – – 28
2.4 Theoretical Framework – – – – – 32
2.5 Review of Studies – – – – – 35
3.0 RESEARCH MOTHOLOGY – – – – 38
3.1 Design of the Study – – – – – 38
3.2 Population of the Study – – – – – 38
3.3 Sample and Sampling Procedure – – – 39
3.4 Instrumentation for Data Collection – – – 39
3.5 Validity and Reliability of Research Instrument – 40
3.6 Method of Data Analysis – – – – – 41
4.0 DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS – – – 43
4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis – – – – 43
4.2 Discussion of Findings – – – – – 47
5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary – – – – – – – 50
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – 48
5.3 Recommendations – – – – – 48
References – – – – – – – 50
Appendix – – – – – – – 52
ABSTRACT
This study sought to assess the level of male readership of daily sun newspaper in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. It’s considered the various attributes of the population of the area that influence the level of readership, taking into account the different news contents captured in the daily sun newspaper. A questionnaire approach was used to obtain data from 300 respondents of which correlation analysis was employed to determine the degree of relationship existing between the various populations attributes in the area, and the levels of readership. A strong negative correlation was observed between the individual age and the level of readership for papers with high spot contents, while strong positive correlation was shown between the level of readership and age of the members of the area for papers dominated with news content concerning politics and economic activities. In totality, strong positive relationship was observed between the level of education and readership attributes regardless of age and news contents. It is however recommended that the research should be extended to capture the female readership in the area.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background of the Study
Newspapers are known for the provision of up-to-date information on local, state, national and international events. Newspapers often contain current and interesting information meant for the reading pleasure of the vast majority of readers of all ages and walks of life. As an important medium of mass communication, newspaper provide the most current analysis, debates and criticisms of socio-political, economic, health and a host of other issues for information, education and entertainment of readers. The newspaper is, no doubt, one of the most widely-read periodicals available and accessible to all on daily basis in print and electronic versions.
As a mass medium, newspaper is useful for education, information, recreation, relaxation and entertainment. This explains why Ola and Ojo (2007) opine that “newspapers are important because they carry current information, and they keep the readers informed of events and happenings within and outside their immediate environments. Newspapers are important in that it serves as a carrier of current information or news. Its present that often find themselves in direct experience with critical events: in the thick of violent elections; in the midst of restive Niger Delta youths; within the firing range of wars as experienced in Liberia or in the Gulf; near stone-throwing and house-burning religious fanatics; within dangerous range of irate students riots; in the midst of tear gas canister-throwing and gun-trotting ready-to-shoot security operatives; or other normal events as a quiet sports fiesta or court proceedings. On June 10, 2010, for instance, The Guardian reported: “Astronomers make progress in search for life on other planets”. The report was accompanied by a picture of a planet rover, Mars spirit Rover searching for life on red planet Mars.