Assessment Of Readers Perception Of The Importance And Role Of Cartoons In Nigeria Newspaper

The broad objective of the study is focused on readers perception of the importance and role of cartoons in Nigeria newspaper. Other specific objectives includes to know the frequency of cartoons in the Vanguard"s newspaper, determine if newspaper cartoons can actually inform, determine the extent at which newspaper cartoons can identify culprits/evildoers, determine whether newspaper cartoons can serve as the mouth piece of members of the society and to evaluate how social reality is constructed through the use of newspaper cartoons in The Vanguard"s newspaper. Survey research design was employed for the study and with aid of convenient sampling, two hundred (200) respondent in Lagos State was selected as the participant of the study. The sources of data collection was both primary and secondary with the application of questionnaires as an instrument to gather the necessary data. The questionnaires were properly completed as well returned by only one hundred and fifty (150) respondent after being administered and this was a basis by which the primary data were collected. Data was analyzed using simple percentage presented in frequencies and tables. Findings of the study reveals that Newspaper cartoons can actually inform, communicate and comment on important public issues in a comic and more relaxed manner More so, The extent at which newspaper cartoons can identify culprits/evildoers is high as vanguard actually perform the watchdog role in the society. Additionally, Newspaper cartoons can serve as the mouth piece of members of the society. The study therefore recommends that Cartoons should be used by dailies more strategically and effectively to address salient issues in humorous ways. More so, Religion, ethnicity, tribalism, sectionalism and bigotry should be downplayed in cartoons, and where possible done away with.

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Cartoons are non verbal graphic communication channels that express the opinions, views and findings of a media organization. They are used to advance an opinion in funny ways and are often based on current, burning and topical issues. They are used basically to educate, inform and entertain the audience by the print media (Emi, 2008). Also, the need for investigative journalism has placed emphasis on the watchdog role of newspaper due to the fact that there are two sides of human namely: the godly and the animalistic side of human to behave in good manners but the animalistic side of the human is the evil side which can be seen in different wrong doings or atrocities of man. It also shows the human urge to dominate, satisfy base instincts of huger, wealth acquisition and their evil or erotic desires. Human beings are expected to be rational but their rationality cannot always guarantee good conduct because most times, the animalistic tendencies in them prevail. Hence the needs for mass media to expose evil and t bring perpetrators to justice so that the human societies do not become the animal kingdom and full of evil. There is also the need to check the excesses of the powerful or privileged people against the less privileged ones to hold rulers accountable to their people to bring about social reforms to expose crime and other wrong doings and to act as voice for the voiceless etc. (Aina 2001).

Also, the belief in the saying that Nigeria is one of the most corrupt nation of the world is not an exaggeration. International organizations have consistently testified to this undeniable fact to confirm the claims of these organizations, the country has witnessed different types of corrupt practices. This must have baffled the past regime led by chief Olusegun Obasajo so much that he thought it is necessary to establish organizations that could fight corrupt practices among citizens two of these organization are independent corrupt practice commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial crimes commission (EECC). After operating for few years, many have come to describe these as an organization of toothless bulldog. The only organizations that Nigerians can fall back on or depends on, is the press which has been battling corruption with its in-depth news reporting opinion, comments, editorial, editorial cartoon etc. Watson, (2008) Says that the media is prominent among the public arbiters for our behavior. Many have also found cartoons on newspaper to be equally up to the task of acting as the society watchdog. This is what the researcher hopes to answer.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The study will examine the effects and significance of crime illustration in enhancing the role of newspaper cartoons as watchdog in the society. It is to ascertain the impact of comic illustration on readers and the level to which cartoons have acted as watchdog of the society.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

To know the frequency of cartoons in the Vanguard"s newspaper

To determine if newspaper cartoons can actually inform

To determine the extent at which newspaper cartoons can identify culprits/evildoers

To also determine whether newspaper cartoons can serve as the mouth piece of members of the society.

To evaluate how social reality is constructed through the use of newspaper cartoons in The Vanguard"s newspaper.

1.4 Research Questions

How frequent do we see cartoon in the Vanguard"s newspaper?

Do newspaper cartoon identify or reveal the true identity of culprits or evil doers?

Do people actually find newspaper cartoons meaningful?

Do newspaper cartoons serve as the mouth piece of the society?

Do the captions of the Vanguard"s newspaper cartoons actually perform the watchdog role in the society?

1.5 Scope of the Study

There are certain newspapers that features cartoon in Nigeria. It is thus to analyse the entire newspaper as such, this has decided to focus on the cartoon of the Vanguard"s newspaper using vanguard newspaper readers in Lagos as case study.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The significance of this study in the field of mass communication is that it helps to determine the effect of mass communication message and media content on the people. It also helps to play an intermediary role between what is true and our experience, especially those beyond our constant. It also acts as the windows to the walls of information. The significance of this study to the society can be traced to the Lasswellian media function of surveillance of the environment i.e. the journalistic service of collecting, dissemination of information of news by surveying the environment through monitoring trends, talks or giving early warning signals of an impending danger, reporting evil deeds that have been done, etc.

1.7 Limitation of the Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scantiness of literature related to readers perception of the importance and role of cartoons in Nigeria newspaper. Thus much time and organization was spent by the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials related to the study. More so, the study is limited in scope focusing on cartoon of the Vanguard"s newspaper. Therefore findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for other newspapers aside the case study which creates a research gap and give room for further studies on this topic.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Cartoons:

A cartoon is a type of illustration that is typically drawn, sometimes animated, in an unrealistic or semi-realistic style.

Editorial Cartoon:

A political cartoon, a type of editorial cartoon, is a cartoon graphic with caricatures of public figures, expressing the artist"s opinion.

Newspapers:

A printed publication consisting of folded unstapled sheets and containing news, articles, advertisements, and correspondence

Readership:

The readers of a newspaper, magazine, or book regarded collectively.

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