Impact Of Newspapers In Political Campaigns

This study was carried out to examine the impact of newspapers in political campaigns (a Study Of Announcer Newspapers). The study was specifically carried out to find out the extent Nigerian citizens are interested in newspapers, the extent to which citizens are interested in political news of Nigeria, assess how knowledgeable citizens are about Nigerian politics, ascertain whether newspapers helps to stimulate the political interest of citizens, and ascertain whether newspapers enhances the political knowledge and engagement of citizens.The study was anchored on the uses and gratifications Theory, and Media System Dependency Theory. The study employed the survey descriptive research design. Hence, the questionnaire was used for data collection, while the data collected were analyzed using frequency tables. The hypotheses test was conducted using ANOVA statistical tool, SPSS v.23. A total of 264respondents were selected as sample size using convenient sampling method. The participants consists of residents in Ibadan, Oyo State. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings reveals thatthe newspapers enhances the political knowledge of Nigerian citizens, at β = 0.896, R2 = 0.952, P = .000. The study also shows that newspapers enhances the engagement of Nigerian citizens in politics at β = 0.768, R2 = 0.917, P = .000.The study therefore recommends that government should increase allocation of funds to the communication information ministries so as to enable news channels carry out more effective programmes on political education and engagement. And the news media companies in Nigeria should pick up the task to produce political mobilization programmes that will help to enhance political participation of the citizens.

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The mass media have always played significant roles across the globe as the general public typically relies on it to provide information regarding political issues, social issues, entertainment and news in pop culture. In advance democracies, the media is freer and more independent when it comes to journalisticcontent. The media are generally defined as those channels of communication which are capable of reaching heterogeneous audiences simultaneously with uniform messages (Oyesomi, Oyero, and Okorie, 2017). This diversified communication technologies are divided into traditional media and new/digital media. The three forms of traditional media are broadcast (television, radio), cinema (movies, documentaries), and print i.e. books, magazines, and newspapers, which is the major focus of this study.

The notion of the media(Newspapers included) as the fourth branch of government, as watchdog, as guardian of the public interest, and as a conduit between governors and the governed is widely claimed.

Newspaper is a mass media which communicates current information released at regular interval of time. As a mass medium, newspapers are beneficial for education, information, enjoyment, relaxation and entertainment. This is why Ola and Ola (2016), note that newspapers are crucial because they contain current information and they keep the readers aware of events and activities inside and beyond their local contexts. Okunna (2019) confirms this stance by arguing that the newspaper is crucial in that it acts as a transporter of current information or news. Obaid (2019) concurs that newspapers are the textbooks that provide up to date information on local, state, national and world affairs, the most current analysis and criticism of the executive and legislative decision making, the latest in music, theatre, television, fine arts and even column and comics to make readers laugh. Babalola (2021), believes that newspapers encourage literacy empowerment; it unavoidably fosters critical thinking, retention of knowledge, problem solving and the questioning of information source. Furthermore, newspaper consumption permits one to become a person who holds civic-conscious ideals, tolerance and connectedness to the community (Edegoh, Asemah, and Okpanachi, 2020). It is believed that an informed citizenry is beneficial to democracy.

The review and readership of newspapers(which is the major interest of this study), has been considered very vital in promoting citizens involvement in Nigeria politics. The newspaper in Nigeria are sources of political information, and avenue for political participation and discussion, right from the colonial era to the present democratic dispensation. Obasanjo (1992) cited in Babalola (2021), described it as any agency that operates for the articulation and dissemination of ideas and information, generally with the intent to influence an audience or the institution that constitutes legalized power and authority. Against this background, the contributions of newspaper to the political knowledge of citizens over time have been a focus of social scientists and media scholars.

Additionally, citizens who are informed and knowledgeable about politics tend to make decisions that reflect their real interests. Citizens only need to listen to the radio for news headlines, read the newspaper or browse the internet or social media to view online newspapersto be politically informed, and engaged (Snyder and Stromberg, 2020).

Citizens" engagement in the political process is an important element of a democratic political culture. The engagement of members of a political community is usually influenced by the political information, attitudes, feelings and skills they possessed. Cognitive orientation or political knowledge about the political system of a nation is important to the quality of citizenship and health of the collective (de Vreesea and Boomgaarden, 2016).High political knowledge helps citizens to better understand the current affairs shaping their societies, contributes to more stable and consistent political attitudes. It also helps citizens to achieve their own interests and make decisions that conform to their attitudes and preferences, promotes support for democraticvalues, facilitates trust in the political system, and motivates political engagement(Galston, 2015). From the aforementioned, this study seek to examine the influence of newspapers on citizens political engagement.

1.2 Statement of the Study

The historical background of elections in Nigeria is characterised by the low turnout of voters, which has warranted the study role of newspapers as a mass medium in political mobilisation and the electoral process.

Often, newspaper publishers try to discuss issues relating to politics and elections, and this sets the agenda of topical issues for discussion in society among electorates. The different types of reportage, ranging from editorial, opinions, straight news, and investigative reports, allow the reader to learn more about candidates in elections, the electoral process, and politics in general.

The question of how those who are not very knowledgeable politically can be rendered more knowledgeable about politics by means of media exposure has been focus of research by communication experts, political scientists and other social scientists. A significant quality of political knowledge is required for citizens to be considered politically active, but most people"s knowledge about politics appears insufficient to meet the standards of a "competent citizen" (DelliCarpini and Keeter, 1996; Reichert, 2016). Hence, the Newspapers are well-known for their ability to provide readers with the most recent information about events occurring at the local, state, national, and worldwide levels. The great majority of readers of all ages and walks of life may find relevant and engaging information that satisfies their need for reading material intended for their enjoyment in the majority of cases in newspapers (Eamin, 2018). The most recent analysis, debate, and criticism of sociopolitical, economic, health, and a wide variety of other issues are provided by newspapers, which are an important print medium for the dissemination of mass communication.

The newspaper is, without a shadow of a question, one of the magazines that is read the most often and is available to everyone on a daily basis, both in printed and electronic formats. In spite of all of these factors, newspapers have recently been facing a number of significant issues as a direct result of the poor reading patterns, reviewing of newspapers, and the low patronage from readers. According to Olofin (2020), the number of people reading newspapers has been on a downward trend over the last several years. According to Udie (2019), less than half of Nigerians regularly read newspapers. This figure is far lower than what was previously thought. This lack of interest in reading and reviewing newspapers has been attributed to the poor engagement of citizen with the politics of the country(Zanib, 2015). Based on the aforementioned, this study seek to examine the influence of newspapers on citizens political engagement.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the impact of newspapers in political campaigns (a Study Of Announcer Newspapers). Specifically, this study seeks to attain the following objectives:

Ascertain the extent Nigerian citizens are interested in newspapers.

Find out the extent to which citizens are interested in political news of Nigeria.

3. Assess how knowledgeable citizens are about Nigerian politics.

4. Ascertain whether newspapers helps to stimulate the political interest of citizens.

5. Ascertain whether newspapers enhances the political knowledge and engagement of citizens.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions guide this study:

What extent are Nigerian citizens interested in newspapers?

What extent are citizens interested in political news of Nigeria?

How knowledgeable are citizens about Nigerian politics?

Does newspapers help to stimulate the political interest of citizens?

Does newspapers enhance the political knowledge and engagement of Nigerian citizens?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho1: newspapers does not enhance the political knowledge of Nigerian citizens.

Ho2: newspapers does not enhance the engagement of Nigerian citizens in politics.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will be significant to the several media houses in Nigeria as they will be exposed to the downward trend in the reading and buying of newspaper among the Nigerian populace and will also find the recommendation and findings of the study useful as it will shed light on how newspaper readership pattern can be improved among the Nigerian populace, hence help in closure of business for some media houses.

The study will further emphasize on the need to for newspapers among citizens and the necessity to be politically knowledgeable, and involved.

Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as literature review. This means that, other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regards to the influence of newspapers on citizens political engagement.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study will examine the impact of newspapers on citizens political campaign. The study will be extension find out the extent Nigerian citizens are interested in newspapers, the extent to which citizens are interested in political news of Nigeria, assess how knowledgeable citizens are about Nigerian politics, ascertain whether newspapers helps to stimulate the political interest of citizens, and ascertain whether newspapers enhances the political knowledge and engagement of citizens.

Geographically, this study will be delimited to Ibadan, Oyo State. While the respondents to the study will be obtained among Nigerian citizens residents in the study area.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing that corruption discourse is vast thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size covering civil servants in Rivers State. Thus findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for other states within Nigeria. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work will impede maximum devotion to the research. Howbeit,despite the constraint encountered during the research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful.

1.9 Definition of Terms

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.

Political Engagement:

This involves political interest and participation intention.

1.10 Organization of the Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows.

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.

Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.

Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.

Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.

Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.

Title Page

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Table of Content

List of Tables

Abstract

Chapter One:

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Objective of the Study

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Research Hypothesis

1.6 Significance of the Study

1.7 Scope of the Study

1.8 Limitation of the Study

1.9 Definition of Terms

1.10 Organisations of the Study

Chapter Two:

Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual Framework

2.2 Theoretical Framework

2.3 Empirical Review

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design

3.2 Population of the Study

3.3 Sample Size Determination

3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure

3.5 Research Instrument and Administration

3.6 Method of Data Collection

3.7 Method of Data Analysis

3.8 Validity of the Study

3.9 Reliability of the Study

3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation

4.2 Analysis of Data

4.3 Answering Research Questions

4.4 Test of Hypotheses

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendation

References

APPENDIX

QUESTIONNAIRE

• Role Of Community Newspapers In Political Awareness

• Mass Communication Project Topics and Materials