Assessment of the Effect of New Communication Technologies on the Performance of Print Journalists in Nigeria

Abstract

This study borders on how new communication technologies affect the performance of print journalists and the implications on journalism practice in Nigeria. To carry out this investigation, research objectives, and research questions were raised. The questions raised in the study were: To what extent do new communication technologies affect the level of performance of print journalists in Nigeria? The challenges perceived by print journalists in the use of the new communication technologies in their operations in Nigeria? A number of relevant studies were reviewed to establish the gap in the literature, anchored on Technological Determinism theory. Explanatory mixed method design was used to achieve the objective of the study. The qualitative data were generated to shed more light on the quantitative data. The population of the study was made up of three hundred and eighty-nine (389) editorial staff of the Guardian, The Sun and Trust newspapers in Nigeria. The Krejcie & Morgan sample size formula was used to determine the sample size as one hundred and ninety-four (194) print journalists. Cluster and Purposive sampling techniques were combined for the selection of samples from the print journalists. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the quantitative data while notes from the interview schedule were transcribed, coded and analyzed using the hermeneutic interpretation method. The key findings of the study include that: new communication technologies have significant effect on the level of performance of print journalists in Nigeria; new communication technologies have significant influence on the improvement in quality of newspaper content, design and accessibility to readers in Nigeria. The study concluded that new communication technologies enhance the performance of print journalists in Nigeria; new communication technologies have made information communication available, affordable and accessible to print journalists for the effective performance of their duties in Nigeria. However, further studies should focus on the assessment of the effect of new communication technologies on the quality of product and services of print journalists in Nigeria (A case study of The Vanguard newspaper organization).