Readers Perception Of The Use Of Photograph In Reinforcement Of Newspaper Message

Every newspaper house today uses pictures to either complement stories or stand to give news independently. This practice has given photojournalism a critical place in the print media of mass communication. The study sought to content-analyses the use of pictures in two newspapers, punch. The aim was to among other things, ascertain the frequency of the use of photographs in the newspapers and identify the various types of photographs used in them. It also identified the sources of the pictures used in the newspapers. Out of a population of 105 editions of the newspapers cutting across all Tuesdays in the months of May, June and July 2014, 26 editions were studied using purposive sampling method. Coding sheet was used to analyse the newspaper photos. It was found out the Punch used photographs in all the pages of the editions; and the aware pictures dominated the newspapers with 64% while the candid pictures followed with 21% and the semi-aware picture 15%. Most of the pictures were relevant to the stories, but the Graphic newspapers had more of negative pictures (75%), than Punch with 25%. Most of the pictures (60.6%) used were sourced from photojournalists as against other sources. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the newspapers had adopted extensive use of pictures in news reporting. I recommended that newspapers should give prominence to the use of candid pictures as it is capable of showing the reader the action in the event and story without any pretence as is often the case with aware photographs. Since pictures play significant roles in complementing newspaper stories, print media houses should sustain their usage with modern professional touch to keep readers glued to the print contents.

This study is designed to critically examine readers" perception of the use of photograph in reinforcement of newspaper message, with particular reference to Punch newspaper. The study is narrowed to Auchi community in Etsako West L.G.A of Edo State in order to examine reader"s perception, Auchi was however chosen because of proximity to place of study.

Conclusions and Recommendations

5.1 Conclusions

The place of photographs in journalism cannot be overemphasized as it could be said to be the only aspect of journalism that breaks the barrier of illiteracy. However, the act of reporting news with photographs needs to be professionally done so that the media house will not be found guilty of misinformation. A well used picture in a newspaper can make the news. So also, a badly used picture can mar the whole story and the newspaper in general.

The following conclusions were reached based on the findings of the study:

The newspapers make use of photographs on the front, back and inside pages.

The newspapers make use of more pictures on the inside pages.

Punch newspapers make use of more pictures than the Other sampled newspapers due to the fact that Punch has more pages than the Other sampled newspapers.

The selected newspapers gave prominence to the use of aware pictures as against candid pictures which is factual, real, natural, and objective.

The selected newspapers do not use more of the type of pictures that give the viewer a sense of reality and objectivity in the news story (candid).

The selected newspapers make use of more pictures that are relevant to the story than the pictures that are not relevant to the story.

The Other sampled has the highest number of negative picture.

The newspapers get more of their pictures from the photojournalists.

5.2 Recommendations

The following recommendations became imperative, gauging from the findings:

The media house should appropriately train their photojournalists in line with the requirements of photojournalism and the journalists in turn should have sense of responsibility and professionalism in quest of their duty.

Other sampled newspapers should place their independent pictures in such a way that it will not contradict the news stories placed around it.

The newspapers should give prominence to the use of candid pictures as it is capable of showing the reader the action in the event and story.

Other sampled newspapers sustain the reporting of more local news than foreign news as this will go a long way in reducing the level of internet pictures used in the newspaper.

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