Abstract
The study sought to find out newspaper reading habits of the Debaters’ Club of Okuapemman School, Akropong-Akuapem. Two theories, the Uses and Gratification Theory; and the Dependency Theory underpinned this qualitative study. Purposive sampling and convenient sampling techniques were used to select participants. In all, twelve students were purposively and conveniently selected. Four participants were interviewed and the eight were taken through the focus group discussion. The findings are that the school library is the main source of getting newspapers for the members of the debaters’ club. Also, members of the school’s debaters’ club had varied newspaper reading habits (styles). They scanned or skimmed as well as did an intensive reading. They engaged in silent reading at the school library or engaged in reading aloud when they had the opportunity to read newspapers outside the library or when at home. To them, newspaper reading has been a means of gratification. Since the students who read newspapers could be described as ‘scanners,’ the paper recommends that teachers should sensitize students on the importance of newspapers in education, and the need to develop good newspaper reading habits as well as overall reading. Keywords: newspaper, reading habits, media, gratification, dependency.
Highlights
Reading is “an art of decoding and constructing messages under and through the word-written message.”2 This definition implies that one can see reading as an attempt by a reader to make sense of a writer’s message
The behaviour involved the newspaper reading habits of the Debaters’ Club of Okuapemman School: habits or behaviours of students displayed over a period of time
When asked how feasible her situation was especially at Okuapemman School, it was revealed that she was always provided with newspapers by her parents any time they paid her a visit
Summary
Reading is “an art of decoding and constructing messages under and through the word-written message.” This definition implies that one can see reading as an attempt by a reader to make sense of a writer’s message. “Reading is regarded as a process, a mode of thinking, a kind of real experience that involves many complex skills; the ability to perceive printed words, to skim for information and perhaps read intensively.” Here, it is plausible to say that reading is not just about printed matter, but the ability to interpret anything that is intended to convey a message. “A newspaper is a serial publication containing news, several articles and advertisments.” As a storehouse for information, newspapers provide an avenue for different kinds of people to know their world.. Newspapers create reading habits and help to differentiate people who read from those who do not read.. In an argument on the effectiveness of reading English newspapers for improving vocabulary and reading skills of students of Dhaka University, it was stressed that reading English Newspapers helps students acquire much “A newspaper is a serial publication containing news, several articles and advertisments.” As a storehouse for information, newspapers provide an avenue for different kinds of people to know their world. Again, newspapers create reading habits and help to differentiate people who read from those who do not read. The implication is that through newspaper reading a reading culture is created so that one is able to know how people live.
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