Poor Readership Of Editorial Among Nigerian Students

This study was carried out to determine poor readership of editorials among Nigerian students. This arose because it was thought that students did not read editorials and their use of other media was minimal. Against the background of seemingly poor readership of editorial among Nigerian students, Questionnaires were administered to ascertain the extent of readership habit formed by this group.

The students of the Institute of management and technology, Enugu were used as a focus. This was a good sample as they represent the students found in all institution over the country. They all experienced similar socio-economic dilemma. They also face similar financial as well as educational problem experienced in the nation.

The total of 300 respondents was sampled randomly and data analyzed and presented as percentages in frequency distribution tables. The work trace the editorial read most among students. Research questions were used as a guide for analysis and conclusions respectively. The work reviewed other literature on the topic and found out what their result were.

The conclusion drawn were based both on other related work of literature and the result gathered from the questionnaires. The result showed that students are not isolated from events and happenings in the society. This study has revealed the inherent interest of students and factors that are mostly likely to affect their lives. Their interest in politics are reflected in the study, which clearly shows that students are of great concern to the nation.

Student"s interest in the economy is against the backdrop of harsh effects on the populace as a result of various economic reforms. Their interest in sports as a medium of entertainment could be to stem up the harsh realities of unstable politics. Sports seem to pin up a glimmer of hope for the dark present realities.

Keywords: Editorial, Economy, Entertainment, Politics

1.0 Introduction

Editorial has been variously described as the opinion of a newspaper. It portrays its greatness, undying soul and conscience.

According to Uwakwe (2010:245), Editorial is the official opinion of a newspaper published on a regular page set aside for it.

Again, an editorial brings to the fore the degree of importance that should be attached to an issue. In order words, editorials are used to set agenda for public discussion. They are used to direct interest and attention to an issue hitherto not regarded as topical. Herein then lies the social responsibility, learning and agenda setting focus of the media at informing the public and directing attention to relevant issues.

On account of this therefore, Spencer (1924:16) defined editorial as "A presentation of fact and opinion in concise logical pleasing order for the sake of entertaining or influencing opinion, or interpreting significant news in such a way that its importance to the average reader will be clear. " Others have also described editorial as the opinion of a newspaper as seen by the editor and explicitly expressed on burning issues within the society or community in which the medium operates.

1.1 Background Of Study

Although a newspaper is hardly ever known as views paper, it is remarkable how often a newspaper is known not for its news, but for its views. While news is sacred and opinion that evidently counts. News frequently is transient but views of opinion have the aura of certain permanence about them. It is in attempt to separate news from news that newspaper creates editorial columns as against the news columns.

Editorials help to form and nurture public opinion, according to a scholar F.U. NWANZE, "Editorials have legs and can run, it has wings and can fly". A good editorial can incite action; inspire deeds, sub vent legislature and other unpopular government decision(s). it has four fold responsibilities: To teach, attack, defend and to praise.

In contemporary society, newspaper society, newspaper business and editorials are becoming more vital and are widely read more than some other article in the entire newspaper. In most cases, it is primarily the reader who pays the closest attention to editorial contents and who are most likely to be influenced by them.

Editorials have an enormous influence on the decision making process and community leaders are aware of it.
However, the reverse is the case among Nigerian students. It has been observed that students pay low attention to editorial matters. When a newspaper is been given to student, he or she will first glance at the first page, leaving out editorials and other articles in the inside pages or he may merely scan them through. This should not be so, since editorials are based on tropical subject in which renders (most especially students) are involved in one way or the other.

It therefore become imperative that an enquiry be made on why there is poor readership rate of editorials among Nigerian Students and offers a recommendation on how to beef-up the readership or diffuse the apathy. This is what the project sets out to explore. Again, even though there is a tendency for magazine, radio or television to editorialize, it is not likely that they would equal the newspaper in the impact in the forcible future. This is why our interest in this study is on newspaper editorial as against others.

1.2 Statement Of Problem

Editorial pages rank comparatively poor in any survey of readership of newspapers and progarmmes devoted to editorial. Opinions are close to the bottom in radio and television audience measurement.

Also, it is not easy to determine the quantity of those who read the editorial pages and listen to editorial programmes.

This project, therefore, is an attempt to explore and expose the reason why there is poor readership of editorials among Nigerian students and proper recommendation on how to enhance readership.

1.3 Objectives Of The Study

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of poor readership of editorial among Nigerian students. This study will on completion suggest to editors on how to diffuse the apathy.

1.4 Research Questions

Do education and financial position affect editorial readership among youths /students.

Do male students read more editorials on sports and polities than female students.

Do female students read more of economy and other editorials than male students.

Does age affect editorial readership among Nigerian students.

1.5 Significance Of The Study

Youths /students are the leaders of tomorrow and it has been established that editorials have profound influence on leadership and on decision making process as well. Therefore, this study will aid students amend their ways towards editorials readership for the better since editorials are usually on very controversial issues and on topics that will provoke one comment or the other from the citizen at large, the future leaders (student) should not be left our uniformed or without opinion since editorials are meant for serious minded people with ambition and zeal. On the part of the media, this study will enable them diffuse apathy towards editorials from readers and help them monitor the choice of topics and contents of editorials they publish.

1.6 Limitations Of Study

The study would have taken more students/youths in Nigeria but due to time limitation as well as high cost of such project, the study was limited to youths (students) of institutes of Management and Technology Enugu. Again, because of the population of the students in the campus, which run into thousands only 5% of its number was used as sample size. A greater percentage could have been used but for reasons given above.

1.7 Scope Of Study

The scope of the readership of editorials among the students of institute of Management and Technology, Enugu. It will cover regular and evening students of functional department of the school. However, the study will not cover poly air, preliminary students, staff and polytechnic public.

1.8 Definition Of Terms

Editorial:

Opinion of a newspaper on any issue of importance.

Newspaper:

Printed medium of communication.

Public Opinion:

Views of public on issues of the moment.

Readership:

Number of people who read a printed material.

HND:

Higher National Diploma.

ND:

National Diploma.

Regular Students:

Full time Students.

Poly-Air Students:

Students that study away from the main campus. A form of distance learning.

Preliminary Students:

Students that are preliminary and are yet to be admitted as bonafide students of the polytechnic.

Youth:

The time when a person is young, especially the time before the child becomes at adult.

Project:

A research work in a concept or particular subject.

Study:

Another term for project.

5.0 Summary, Conclusion And Recommendations

5.1 Introduction

The former chapter analyzed the data collected and results were taken from the deduction made. This chapter concludes the study and makes recommendations for further studies.

5.2 Summary Of Findings

In this study, "poor reading of editorial among Nigeria n students" (A case study Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu has been quite revealing. Revealing in the sense that it has given the students an opportunity, a forum to express their latent feeling on burning national issues and topics related to their existence in the society.

Students are not isolated from events and happening in the society. They are also intelligent enough to grasp and respond to situations around them. This study has revealed the inherent interest of students and factors that are most likely to affect their lives. Their interests in politics are reflected in the study, which clearly shows that students are of great concern to the nation.

The potentials in students can only be affectively expressed in a strong, vibrant and stable country. They are the leaders of tomorrow and are prepared to face the realities of the present and brace up to the challenges ahead.
Student"s interest in the economy is against the backdrop of harsh effects on the populace as a result of various economic reforms. Their interest to sports as a medium of entertainment could be to stem the harsh realities of a recessionary and an unstable politics. Sports seem to pin up a gummer of hope for the dark present realities.
In all, this study has tried to investigate the student"s attitude towards newspaper editorials. It has also tried to realize whether there is poor readership of editorials among the students and if there is, what is responsible and what can be done to eradicate the hatred towards editorials or enhance its readership among Nigerian students.

The study started in looking into the background of editorials, what it is, its importance (relevance) and its place in the society. There is an attempt towards the literature review on the topic, which led to exploring the work of various authorities.

There is also a determined population for this study and a sample to work with. Data source were statistically analyzed and presented in the appropriate tables. Conclusions were based purely on findings devoid of personal biases.

5.3 Recommendations

From the findings in the proceeding chapters, the case study revealed that there is poor readership of editorials among Nigerian students. Figure in table 1 shows that of the 204 respondents, 160 students representing 75% of the sample population read editorials while 44 respondents representing 22% do not read editorials.

Again, figure in table IV indicated from a sample personal opinion that 114 respondents or 56% believe editorials attract enough readership while 44% or 90 respondents have a contrary opinion.

Also, the entire four hypotheses postulated were validated and therefore uphold the implication that student"s course of study contributed to poor readership of editorials.

Editorials in politics, economy and sports attract more readerships than that of newspaper proprietors.
Student"s readership towards editorial would be greatly enhanced if professional journalists are allowed to write editorials.

5.4 Conclusion

Based on findings from the study, the following recommendations are to be proffered.

Institute of higher learning should stock their libraries with daily newspapers to enhance studies readership towards editorials thereby been adequately informed.

The media house (Newspaper house) should redirect efforts to ensure that its editorials respond to needs and aspirations of their readers.

The study is also a challenge to the media house to under-take more researchers and spares no effort in improving their editorial contents.

Newspapers proprietors should give professional journalist free hand to do their job. The incidence of proprietor"s interference should be reduced to its bare minimum, if reader"s interest is to be sustained.

Preliminary Page(s)

Title page

Approval page

Dedication

Acknowledgment

Abstract

Table of contents

Chapter One

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of study

1.2 Statement of problem

1.3 Objective of the study

1.4 Research questions

1.5 Significance of study

1.6 Limitation f study

1.7 Scope of study

1.8 Definition of term

Chapter Two:

2.0 Literature Review

2.1 Theoretical background

2.2 Theoretical framework

2.3 Empirical aspect

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Research design

3.2 Target population

3.3 Sample size

3.4 Sample selection

3.5 Sampling technique

3.6 Source of data

3.7 Instrument of data collection

3.8 Method of analyzing data

3.9 Measures to ensure validity and reliability

Chapter Four:

Data Analysis And Discussion

4.1 Data analysis

4.2 Hypothesis to test

Chapter Five:

Summary, Recommendation And Conclusion

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Summary of findings

5.3 Recommendations

5.4 Conclusion

References

Appendix

Questionnaires

• Mass Communication Project Topics and Materials