Appraisal Of The Application Of ICTs In The Nigerian Mass Media

This study was on "The Application of ICTs in the Nigerian Mass Media: A Study of NTA and The Guardian Newspapers". The researcher sought to find out the current level of ICTs use in the Nigerian mass media, using the NTA and The Guardian newspapers as a case study. The work made attempt to identify the factors responsible, the likely implications, as well as some measures for an improved adoption and enhanced application of ICTs in the two media. The survey research method was used. The questionnaire and semi-structured interviews served as instrument of data collection. A total of 400 respondents were selected from the population; 200 from the head offices of the NTA and The Guardian Newspapers on equal proportion, (i.,e. 100 apiece), and another200 from those members of the public who have access to the two media under review; 100 from the North [Gwagwalada area of Abuja (50) and Bida L.G.A. in Niger state (50)]; another 100 from the South [Surulere area of Lagos state (50) and Enugu North L.G.A. of Enugu state (50)]. The stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used. The data generated were analyzed using simple descriptive and statistical tools such as simple percentages, tabular presentations and frequency distributions. The study was anchored on the Diffusion of Innovation theory. At the end of the study, the findings revealed that, although the Nigerian mass media (NTA and The Guardian newspapers) have adopted the new ICTs to an extent, yet, the level of adoption and application still falls far below expectations, especially when compared with what is obtainable in the western world.

The findings attributed the under utilization of ICTs in the two media to lack of infrastructure e.g. electricity, few trained or skilled ICTs personnel, poor knowledge of ICTs at all levels, from suppliers to users, financial constraints, corruption, poor planning and lack of political/ideological will. The study further revealed that the under utilization of ICTs in NTA and The Guardian newspapers has greatly hampered the quality and quantity of their programmes and contents respectively. Based on these findings, recommendations were made. One, government should intervene by providing enabling environment and basic social amenities e.g. electricity, that would assist in the smooth operation of the new technologies and discourage the re-occurring brain drain in the country. On their part, the media organizations should invest in ICTs development and acquisition, and maintain a regular training and retraining of their staff in computer literacy and on the use of the latest ICTs in the media world, among others.

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The advent of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has brought tremendous innovations in all spheres of human endeavours. The media of mass communication - radio, television, newspapers, magazines, etc, have definitely not been spared from the great revolution. The satellite in particular has made news most instantaneous and simultaneous, especially for the broadcast media. The new technologies have therefore made the job of media practitioners very effective, interesting, easy, cheaper, faster, more reliable and perhaps most profitable.

Writing about this development in the media industry, Maida (1996), cited in Idemili and Sambe (2007:181) states that:

The invention of some electromagnetic technologies such as microcircuiting, micro-graphics, holographic memory, micro-electronics, opticfibre-satellites, video discs, telex, view data, digital broadcast systems, facsimiles, videophones, computers and micro processors, etc., has no doubt revolutionized information gathering, processing, storage, retrieval and transmission; making information available ever more widely, rapidly and less expensive.

Today, television broadcasting for instance has undergone a lot of transformations, from the era of monochrome to colour television broadcasting; from low quality VHS cameras to Dvcam, Videophones, Electronic News Gathering (ENG) and Satellite News Gathering (SNG) gadgets, among others.

The new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have improved TV productions and presentations. Gone were the days of linear editing. Editing is now done digitally with the aid of the computer. This is known as non-linear editing.

This ensures effective editing and high quality post-productions.

Also, there are modern sophisticated studio facilities such as Digital Lights,

Special Effect Machines, Character Generators, Teleprompters, Digital Studio Cameras of various sizes, Digital Playback Machines, etc.

The radio too, is not left out in the revolution. The radio industry is introducing High Definition radios. The HD radio in the words of Akpan (2009) is "a digital service that greatly improves signals/sounds quality of terrestrial local stations. With HD radio, an FM station now sounds as good as a compact disc, while an AM station sounds as good as a current FM station, aesthetic free and without atmospheric interference".

In the print industry, the production and distribution of newspapers today is greatly facilitated by the new technologies that offer efficiency, speed, quality and reliability. Many big newspapers in the advanced world now engage in satellite publications - a situation whereby a newspaper edition is published simultaneously in different cities across the country and beyond. Dominick (1993) cited in Ufuohu

(2007:240) gave examples of such newspapers to include - The International Herald Tribune, The Washington Post, USA Today, The Financial Times of London, The Economist, the Wallstreet Journal, among others.

In Nigeria however, satellite publication is still relatively new in the country and yet to be popularized in the nation‟s print media. According to Okorie (2008:170), "Thisday is the only Nigerian newspaper that produces simultaneously in Nigeria and

South Africa at the moment, and still not consistent". Thus, we still have early editions and late editions as Ufuohu (2007:2007) rightly explains:

If one buys a newspaper with national circulation in the West, Edo, or even Delta state and one buys another copy of the same newspaper same day, as soon as one crosses the Niger Bridge into the East, one would discover differences in the contents, one is early edition, the other is late edition.

Writing further on the problem of distribution and circulation of journalism products in Nigeria, Ende (2003:42) reveals that:

Many of our so-called national dailies are read in arrears, as some others (prominently Vanguard and The Punch) repackage old news and send it up north in current dates under the euphemism of northern edition, while in fact, the news is read a day or two in southern editions of the tabloids...

Presently, editions of Thisday and The Guardian reach Markurdi, a day late - a town of just 820 kilometres from Lagos and 323 kilometres from Abuja.

With the satellite technology, such problem in newspaper production and distribution is completely erased.

Also, many Nigerian television stations are yet to adopt the non-linear editing which is digital. They still rely on linear editing which is very clumsy.

Again, many electronic media in the country are yet to adopt the use of Electronic News Gathering (ENG) gadgets, which enable the crew to broadcast, live from the scene of an event directly to the station. In the same vein, they have not adopted the use of Satellite News Gathering (SNG) gadgets. The SNG with its specially equipped technologies uplinks the signals live from the venue of an event to a communication satellite and back to the mother station which makes it possible for those with the receivers to receive the signals live across the world. The only similar thing many TV stations in the country have is the outside Broadcasting Van (OB.Van).

Similarly, many FM and TV station in the country are yet to be fully equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities. The few available studios are stocked with obsolete equipment resulting in constant breakdown.

Again, the modern lithographic machines and printing machines have gone digital, thereby, eliminating time waste. The machines print faster, collate, count and do other necessary findings. Colour separation is also done on digital equipment as against the previous analogue ones. Thus, making print journalism less clumsy and more interesting.

With the ICTs, photography has ascended to heights that were not previously imagined. In the past, the darkroom was used in developing pictures for news stories or broadcast journalism; today, photo-cropping is done electronically with the use of computers. Also, there are now digital cameras in various sizes, which replace the analogue ones. There are inbuilt digital cameras in mobile phones in today‟s society. The Nigerian mass media are catching up gradually with these explosive information and communication technologies. For instance, the NTA, MBI, AIT Channels, Silverbird and a few other TV stations in the country have gone satellite. Some of them have adopted a system similar to CNN and BBC World in their news broadcast. With the aid of the new equipment, two newscasters from two different locations far apart could be brought on screen simultaneously (split screen) and discuss with each other briefly before one is faded out. Though the method is not as perfect as that of the advanced media organizations, but it is commendable.

However, apart from the NTA, AIT, MBI, Channels, Silverbird, and a few others, many TV stations in Nigeria still operate with low quality equipment; thus, the quality of their broadcast is still very poor.

Also, there are still some television stations in the country that use only one camera, and most times, VHS camera to record programmes such as discussions and interviews. This is evident in the rapid turning of the camera from one discussant to another or from the interviewer to the interlocutor. Enahoro (2002:66) describes it this way:

at present, if one visits a television studio in Nigeria, he will only see a Panasonic camera Mounted on a Philip tripod with a Beltec microphone on an Aiwa amplifier link with Thompson cable and a Sony headphone.

Again, most TV stations in the country still rely on physical delivery of stories from their correspondents in distant places instead of sending them through the Internet, the cell phone or the satellite. This makes many stories to be stale. For instance, during the January 27, 2002 Ikeja bomb blast, it was reported that most of the television stations in Lagos were still running dry commentaries of the mishap three hours after the event as Egbuchalam (2005) in Terngu and Ende Ternenge

(2007:281) recounts:

On the night of the Lagos bomb blast, a viewer in Lagos while contributing to a phone-in programme on a private TV station queried the anchorman why his station was telecasting the bomb blast of three hours ago without any actuality pictures. The reply was that their cameramen were already at the Ikeja cantonment scene and would bring back the film later.

A comparison of the above statement with the BBC World live reports on the September 11, terrorists‟ attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York, and the burial of Pope John Paul II in Rome, Italy, leaves much to be desired.

Preliminary investigations reveal that many radio stations in the country especially the state-owned stations are yet to be equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities. Many of them do not have computers fitted with MP3 software and CD writes. Many still operate studio equipment manually instead of using the console. Again, many of their transmitters are obsolete thereby resulting in constant breakdown. Unlike the FRCN and the big private FM stations such as Ray Power 100.5, Cool FM, Rhythm FM and Radio Continental, many state-owned radio stations do not broadcast correspondents‟ reports directly from the venue of an event. They do not broadcast for 24 hours. The reason perhaps is that they do not posses the technology to do so.

There are still some state radio stations stuffed with cartridge machines, reel-to- reel machines, turntables and cassette players. While in the real digital modern studio, one expects to see CDs, VCDs, DVDs, computers fitted with MP3 software and CD writes.

Preliminary investigations also revealed that in the print media, many Nigerian newspapers have introduced online news services courtesy of the web technology. The online services make it possible to access the newspapers worldwide. Newspapers like

The Sun, Thisday, The Vanguard, The Guardian, The Daily Independent, The Newswatch and Tell magazines are all connected to the internet. They make available to subscribers summaries of full text versions of their contents. However, the absence of satellite technologies that enable simultaneous publication of newspapers in different cities still poses a great problem to newspaper distribution and circulation in the country.

The above observations show that despite the relative growth in the use of some of the new ICTs in the Nigerian mass media, most of the available technologies are still grossly under utilized.

Consequently, the researcher intends to critically evaluate the level of adoption and application of the new technologies in Nigerian mass media with special focus on NTA and The Guardian newspaper. The two giant media in the country were consciously selected to ensure equal representation of the print and electronic media, as well as private and public ownership.

1.2 Statement of Problem

The emergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has brought a tremendous change in the media industry all over the world. The media in various countries especially in the Western World are seriously adopting and utilizing the numerous opportunities provided by the new ICTs for greater efficiency, better quality, faster production, and delivery of more reliable and cost effective service.

However, preliminary investigations show that most print and electronic media in Nigeria and Africa are yet to fully catch up with the trend. According to the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), only "very few countries in Africa have embarked on the ICT policy formulation process, while in many, the mechanism still falls short of the required standard" (ECA, May,1999).

The mass media in Nigeria are also faced with the problem of adopting foreign technologies to suit local needs. Again, there are still serious lapses in infrastructure especially in the areas of electricity and telecommunications, as well as in the trainingof media personnel to handle some of these new sophisticated operational tools. Thus, Mbachu (2003) cited in Ogah (2007:197) observes that:

The newly emerging trends regarding Technology and the mass media globally indicates that the mass media in Nigerian will increasingly be left behind unless the country breaks the chain of economic stagnations and achieves a higher level of development that will guarantee its citizens a higher standard of living that will be a strong stimulus for production and consumption of the new technologies.

Meanwhile, it suffices to state categorically at this juncture, that the problem of this study is not to ascertain the relevance of ICTs in the modern mass media. Of course, it is a known fact that the new ICTs are very relevant in the media. Rather, the issue of serious concern is to empirically determine the extent to which these relevant technologies are utilized in the two media under investigation (NTA and The Guardian Newspapers). This is particularly important as prior investigations show that there is already a dichotomy in information diffusion, resulting into a digital divide between the "information haves" or "digital highway users" who can afford to acquire and use multiple sophisticated media technologies, and the "information have-nots", who may not be able to afford and operate the computer or pay the bill for internet service connection and subscription. Hence, a study of this nature became imperative, because if the subject is ignored or overlooked, the existing knowledge gap resulting from absence/use of the new media technologies would continue to widen, leading to a widespread ignorance, illiteracy, poverty, wars, hunger, diseases and wants.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The overall objective of this study was to appraise the application of ICTs in theNigerian mass media. However, the specific objectives include:

To ascertain the level of application of ICTs in NTA and The Guardian newspapers.

To identify the factors responsible for that level of ICTs application in NTA and The Guardian newspapers.

To assess the implication of the present level of ICTs application in NTA and The Guardian newspapers.

To recommend ways of improving the adoption and enhanced application of ICTs in NTA and The Guardian newspapers.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The following are the contributions of this study in terms of knowledge and benefits to the readers.

The study reveals the actual level of application of ICTs in NTA and The Guardian newspapers.

It highlights the problems and prospects of ICTs use in the Nigerian mass media, especially the NTA and The Guardian newspapers.

It will be instrumental to prospective researchers who may wish to go into this or similar areas of study.

It will have far-reaching significance to media organizations, media practitioners, media educators, media students, policy makers and indeed, the general public.

Finally, the study serves as a dream come true, as the researcher had always desired to add to the existing literatures on ICTs and effective media practice in Nigeria.

1.5 Research Questions

In the course of the study, attempts were made to provide answers to the following questions which served as a guide in the entire process.

What is the level of application of ICTs in NTA and The Guardian newspapers?

Why is NTA and The Guardian newspapers still operating at that level of ICTs application?

What implication does the present level of ICTs application have on NTA and The Guardian newspapers?

What practical measures could be taken to enhance the application of ICTs inNTA and The Guardian newspapers?

1.6 Theoretical Framework

For the purpose of verifiable, testable and generalizable views, research works are usually based on already existing theories. In every discipline, there exists a body of theories that provides explanations and enhances a better understanding of a given phenomenon in the field. This is because knowledge does not exist in a vacuum and the adoption of theories "invariably facilitates the understanding of issues in the field" (Ohaja, 2003). In acknowledgement of the above remarks, this study will be based on the Diffusion of Innovation theory.

1.6.1 The Diffusion of Innovation Theory

The Diffusion of Innovation Theory according to Anaeto, Onabajo and Osifeso (2008, P. 116), is associated with Ryan and Cross (1943) and Everett Rogers (1960). The concept, innovation, as later defined by Rogers and Shoemaker (1971:19) is "an idea, practice or object perceived as new by an individual". The newness here, thescholars argue does not presuppose that such "idea, practice or object" is entirely novel to members of a social group. It rather means that though members of the target group may be aware of such idea, practice or object, they have no particular disposition towards the idea, practice or object prior to the lunching of the campaign for social change.
On the other hand, diffusion according to Katz (1963:77) means "The process of spread of a given new idea or practice over time, via specifiable channels or through social structures.

Simply put, diffusion means internalization, adoption, practice and application of new ideas by man either as an individual or member of a social group. Innovation diffusion therefore involves conscious exposure to adoption, application and utilization of new ideas, practices or objects. Thus, the main thrust of the Diffusion of Innovation theory lies on how new ideas, discoveries, practices or technologies spread to members of a social system.
Ogboho (2008:352) puts it this way "the Innovation Diffusion Theory refers to how media technological products and facilities are introduced and adopted by the international community, comprising external broadcasting service stations, using technological products to reach out the world and the international audience who are the beneficiary of the new media contents and products". This submission rightly buttresses the suitability of the theory to the objective of the study, which aims at evaluating the adoption and application of ICTs in the Nigerian mass media. However, Bittner (2003) believes that in the innovation diffusion process, the media present information that makes us aware of the existence of an item. From there, the persongets interested, constantly evaluates the item, takes a trial of the item and finally acquires it.

In the same view, Katz, et al (1966) in Ojobor (2002:21) maintains that for a new idea or innovation to diffuse, there must be the awareness stage, trial stage and adoption stage.

Innovation campaign is therefore hardly hypodermic in effect. This means that it is difficult to achieve instant change of attitude and behaviour through innovation diffusion. Hence, Rogers (1965) cited in Wogu (2008:164) explains that when new technological innovation is introduced, they will move across a series of stages before they are generally adopted. Firstly, majority of people will know of the innovations; secondly, the innovation will be adopted by a very small group of innovators or early adopters; thirdly, opinion leaders take a cue from the early adopters and try out the innovation themselves; fourthly, if opinion leaders find the innovation helpful, they persuade their friends, the opinion followers. Finally, after the majority has adopted the innovation, a group of laggards or late adopters join.

Early experiments on Roger‟s Diffusion of Innovation theory in the U.S. show that the theory aids the taking up of new innovations that were hitherto not preferred by adopters. It was discovered that this process applied to nearly all American agricultural innovations. Today, many agricultural practices like the use of fertilizers have been promoted even here in Nigeria.

However, diffusion of innovation has been criticized of taking longer time than we believe. The time between the actual development of innovation and its widespread adoption is known as the Innovation Diffusion Gap (IDG). For instance,the IDG of the invention of the Laser and the Mouse took about 20 years to their widespread application (see Szabo.http://www.quasar.ualberta.ca/DRMIKE).

From the above remarks, it suffices to opine that Innovation Diffusion Gap (IDG) may be responsible for the current level of ICTs application in the Nigerian mass media. The study however, aims at contributing towards closing the gap.

In all, the following constitute the basic assumptions of the Diffusion of Innovation Theory.

Diffusion research centres on the conditions, which increase or decrease the likelihood that members of a given culture will adopt a new idea, product, or practice.

The information flows through networks; the nature of networks and the roles opinion leaders play in them determine the likelihood the innovation will be adopted.

Opinion leaders exert influence on audience behaviour via their personal contact, but additional intermediaries (called change agents and gatekeepers) are also included in the process of diffusion.

Diffusion of Innovation Theory predicts that media as well as interpersonal contacts provide information and influence opinion and judgment.

Daramola (2003) wraps it up by saying that "diffusion of innovation theory is a theory that seeks to disseminate information about new discoveries to the masses of a social set up".

In this research, which aims at appraising the level of application of ICTs in the Nigerian mass media, it is believed that the Diffusion of Innovation Theory will form a good theoretical base and will help in achieving the set objectives.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The general concern of this study is to evaluate the application of ICTs in the entire Nigerian mass media. However, as a result of insufficient time, money and materials and in order to remain realistic and avoid ambiguity, the researcher decided to limit the scope to a two carefully selected Nigerian media - NTA and The Guardian newspaper.

It is however believed that the findings and recommendations of the work would be beneficial to both those within and outside the scope of the study.

1.8 Definition of Terms

In a study of this nature, the researcher may run the risk of having the operational terms in the work interpreted variously and in different perspectives by the readers. Such non-uniformity in conceptualization affects the readers‟ validity and reliability of the study. It is in view of this probability that this section is devoted to conceptual clarifications. Hence, in the conceptual and operational views, we look at the meaning of the following words:

1. Appraisal

In the context of this work, "appraisal" means an assessment or evaluation to determine the extent of adoption and application of ICTs in Nigerian mass media, with a special focus on NTA and The Guardian newspapers.

2. ICTs

"ICTs" stands for Information and Communication Technologies. ICTs according to Tiamiyu (2003:35) cited in Salawu (2007:18), "are those electronic gadgets, equipment or technologies for creating, acquiring, storing, processing, communicating and using information". This study is concerned with those used in the media - print and electronic.

3. Application

The word „application" literally means the practical use of something, especially a discovery or innovation, theory, etc, or an act of putting something on to something else. In this work, it simply means the practical use of ICTs in the Nigerian mass media such as NTA and The Guardian newspapers.

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:

5.1 Summary

The study examined the application of ICTs in the Nigerian mass media, paying special attention to NTA and The Guardian Newspapers. To warrant this, prior investigations present conflicting reports on the actual level of adoption and application of ICTs in the Nigerian mass media. While some believe that the Nigerian mass media are rapidly catching up with those explosive technologies, others seriously contend that the media in the country have remained in an abysmal performance, and have steadily watched the rest of the world grow with the trend. Meanwhile, the issue had remained yet to be empirically established, authenticated or confirmed. However, until it is established through empirical evidence, every argument remains mere speculation, intuition, hunches, or simply an insinuation.

Curiously, a study became imperative, to critically appraise all sides of the view and ascertain the true level of ICTs use in the nation‟s mass media, using NTA and The Guardian newspapers as a point of focus.

To do this, the problem that the study sought to investigate was stated in clear terms. This was accompanied by the objectives of the study, towards filling the existing knowledge gap or vacuum on the level of ICTs use in the Nigerian mass media. Again, the research questions were raised, and a theory considered most suitable (Diffusion of Innovation) was chosen to anchor the study. Then, the significance of the study was specified and relevant terms were defined operationally and conceptually. This formed the first chapter of the work.

In chapter two, existing literatures and empirical works/studies were extensively reviewed with a view to finding the relationship between studies done by other scholars on the use of ICTs in the Nigerian mass media and the present study. This was particularly important as it added more impetus to the understanding of the topic of discussion.
In furtherance of actualizing the set objectives, the survey research method was adopted in the exploration of the necessary data for the investigation. The population of the study was decided and the sample size determined. The questionnaire and oral interviews were used as instruments for data collection. A total of 400 copies of the questionnaire were administered, 200 copies at the head offices of the NTA and the Guardian newspapers, on equal proportion (i.e 100 copies apiece), the other 200 were randomly administered to the members of the public who have access to the two media under assessment, 100 from the North (Abuja and Niger State), and another 100 from the South (Lagos and Eungu states).

By and large, the statistical outputs of the inquiry were exhaustive enough to give sufficient illumination on all aspects of the study as shown on the numerous tables in chapter four.

The data generated were further analyzed using simple descriptive and statistical tools such as simple percentages, tabular presentations and frequency distribution.

Findings arising from the interpretation and analysis of data collected provided the following conclusions:

That the new ICTs are very relevant in the day-to-day operations of the modern mass media

That despite the importance, the ICTs are still underutilized in NTA and The Guardian. Newspapers.

That the underutilization of the new ICTs in NTA and the Guardian newspapers are caused by:Lack of infrastructure e.g. electricity

Few trained or skilled IT personnel

Poor knowledge of ICTs at all levels, from suppliers to users

Financial constraints

Poor planning

Lack of political/ideological will, etc.

That the underutilization of ICTs in NTA and the Guardian newspapers has greatly hampered the quality and quantity of their programmes and contents respectively.

That to enhance ICTs use in the Nigerian mass media,The government must improve our basic amenities, such as electricity.

Government should subsidize the cost of importation of such equipments.

Government should assist the media to go global by completing and launching the nation‟s communication satellite as soon as possible.

Mass media organizations in the country should invest in ICTs development and acquisition, where the local development is difficult, they should follow the global trend and always acquire the latest and standard equipment, as this will enhance efficiency and effective performance.

The media organizations should also, as a matter of importance, engage their staff in a regular training and retraining in order to keep abreast of the latest trends in the media and ICTs world.

5.2 Conclusion

In this study, our attempts had been to systematically and empirically show the true situation of ICTs use in NTA and the Guardian newspapers; if low, the causes, the consequences and the curative measures.

In the process, we generated enough data to attempt answering those pertinent questions. Our statistics, for one, were sufficient enough to prove that indeed, ICTs are underutilized in NTA and The Guardian newspapers. The responses from the respondents to the questionnaire and the oral interviews abundantly overwhelmingly conformed this. It was the view of 85.6% of the respondents; hence, the issue is not a speculation.

Secondly, our respondents in their candid responses were able to identify the wide range of factors responsible for the situation to include- Lack of basic amenities such as electricity, poor knowledge of ICTs at all levels, from suppliers to users, few trained or skilled personnel, financial constraints, and poor planning, among others.

Again, the respondents unanimously agreed that the problems enumerated above have greatly hampered the use of ICTs in NTA, the Guardian newspapers, and indeed the Nigerian mass media.

Meanwhile, substantial percentage of these findings reflects the perspectives of both the study‟s theoretical framework as well as the reviewed empirical works. Such empirical results and evidences include ones gathered from these sources. Onah (2007), Ezeoha (2009), Ude (2009), Balogun(2008), Jensen (2006), ITU report (2001), Eserinune (2006) and UNDP World Development Report on Internet use (2006).

On solutions to be problems, our heterogeneous respondents, massively and logically agreed that there is need for the government to work on our basic amenities like electricity, subsidize the cost of importation of sophisticated technologies used by the media, as well as put more efforts to ensure speedy completion and launching of the nation‟s communication satellites as soon as possible.

Our findings also point to the need for our media houses to employ qualified and competent computer literate personnel and maintain a regular training and re-training of the personnel in the use of the latest ICTs in the media world.

Our findings are indeed numerous and therefore indicative of the level of versatility of inputs into the study. Although human imperfections could also have been at play, coupled with the prevalence of inadequacy of some needed resources and other limitations, however, sufficient conscious efforts were made to ensure the reliability and validity of the outcome of the study. This is expected to enhance its credibility and acceptability, which will translate into its probably making some meaningful contribution to the field of research, communication and academics.

5.3 Recommendations

The findings of this study have shown in clear terms that ICTs are underutilized in NTA and The Guardian newspapers. The study has again, confirmed that the underutilization of ICTs in NTA and the Guardian newspapers has hampered the quality and quantity of their operation. It is against this backdrop that the following suggestions/ recommendations are made to consolidate the study and proffer solution to the problems raised.

In order to encourage the growth of ICTs in the country, government should intervene by providing enabling environment that would attract both local and foreign investments in the area of technological acquisition and development.

Basic social amenities such as electricity should be provided to minimize the cost of running the few available ICTs on generators.

The media organizations should make efforts to invest in ICTs development and acquisition, where the local development is difficult, they should follow the global trend and ensure that only the standard and latest equipment are procured.

The government should assist the media to go global by completing and launching the nation‟s communication satellites as soon as possible, as this would go a long way in boosting the quality and quantity of media outputs.

In the interim, government should improve the health of the naira so that the media can import the ICTs less costly.

The government can also subsidize the cost of importation by removing the import tariffs in the importation of ICTs into the country.

Again, the use of local or indigenous technologies should be encouraged as this will enable the media to acquire them easier and cheaper.

The government and the private sector should embark on planned and sustained research activities towards technological improvement. These activities should involve considerable investments in both material and human resources; this is because, without efficient human resources, technological resources will continuously elude us.

It is also very necessary for all media practitioners to be computer literate; this is because the work of the media in recent time has become fully computerized, be it in the print or electronic.

It is also our humble submission, that most of the factors militating against effective use and growth of ICTs in Nigeria can be eliminated or minimized with good governance, proper planning and good ICTs policies.

Government should ensure the liberalization of GSM and landline tariffs to enable a more affordable acquisition and maintenance of personalized ICTs. Similarly, exploitative charges being complained of PHCN, GSM, NITEL and internet providers remains an important issue in our meaningful ICTs development. The need for the operators to consider subsidies is very necessary.

There is need for regular training and re-training of media practitioners on the use of the latest ICTs, this is important as the findings of this research show that the mere availability of these facilities cannot help matters unless the people they are meant for can effectively utilize them.

Again, we strongly recommend that efforts should be made to tackle the problem of brain-drain in the country; a situation where the nation is in serious lack of experts to handle and maintain most of the sophisticated technologies, and the few available ones are constantly enticed to abandon the country and seek greener pastures overseas is not good enough.

The recent ultimatum given to all broadcast organizations in the country by the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) to change from analogue to digital broadcasting is indeed a welcome development.

5.3.1 Suggestions for Further Studies

We suggest that this study be further carried out in a broader scale. This will provide the platform for the possible verification of the validity and reliability of the results and their possible replication. It will equally afford an opportunity for an in-depth study of other related dimensions of the topic. This is because, although the central theme of this study is the extent of ICTs use in the Nigerian mass media, however, there are other aspects requiring some attention.

It is therefore necessary to further extend the study since no particular research can claim to be sufficiently exhaustive. Consequently, as every research undertaking will always benefit from broadened attempt to replicate its outcome, we strongly recommend that more studies in the area will add to its enrichment.

Such studies should be empirically done to provide enough bases for the validation and generalization or otherwise of the research findings. Such subsequent studies could be conducted using methods other than the survey to see if the same result could be arrived at.

Further studies could equally be done to replicate the current one, using the same research method and approach with a view to ascertaining the authenticity of our findings.

This recommendation is more so, relevant in view of the number of impeding circumstances encountered in the course of the exercise, among which include-inadequacy of available data, insufficiency of required resources, the challenge of deadline and the need for valid results.

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