Technological Advancement; Threat To The Future News Paper And Production

This study is aimed at assessing technological advancement; threat to the future of newspaper and production. A survey research design was adopted, the population comprises all lecturers of mass communication dept., University of Uyo, a simple random sampling technique was used to select 28 respondents for the study and a questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. The study was confronted with logistics and geographical factors. A mean score rating method is used to analyze the data based on the 2.5 acceptance region format to answer the research questions, while to address the research hypothesis, the chi-square was used. The results of the study showed that the threats of technological advancement include it reduces newspaper readership, it leads to low patronage of newspapers, it encourages spread of rumor, it can lead to the folding of newspaper houses and it deprives some of the workforce of their jobs and makes the printing machines dormant. The possible steps newspaper houses can adopt to keep up with technological advancement including newspaper houses should have websites for online publication of their news, timely/up-to-date reportage of news should be encouraged, they could adopt free pop-up of news on other organizations" websites, objectivity in news reportage should be upheld and ultra-modern equipment should be used for news coverage.

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The concepts of technology transfer and development constitute a fundamental issue for many third world countries. This is because these countries have been on a search and intense efforts to import the developed technologies of the western industrialized countries as a measure to bridge the tremendous development gap between developed nations and third world countries. In recent years there has been an increasing need for technology to fasten the pace of economic development third world nations. Hence the quest of the advancement of technology. According to the United Nations, technology is viewed as a combination of equipment and knowledge. Other commentators refer to technology as the systematic application of scientific organized knowledge into practical tasks. The Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development ("OECD"), define technology as the acquisition of systematic knowledge for the manufacture of a product, or the application of a process for the rendering of a service including any integrally associated managerial and marketing techniques. Technology involves the use of scientific knowledge by a given society at a given moment to resolve concrete problems facing its development. Technology transfer is defined by scholars as the process by which science and technology are diffused throughout human activity. It is the transmission of know-how to suit local conditions and needs. It is evidenced that the production and sale of newspapers are currently been affected by the rapid pace of information technology and other newest production equipments and methods. Therefore, the study seeks to appraise Technological advancement; Threat to future newspaper and production.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The rapid pace of technology development in advanced nations is fast gaining grounds in Nigeria and other third world countries. Therefore, it is believed that the vast technology gap which existed between Nigeria and the advanced economies such as the USA, Japan, etc is being bridged with developing and newer technology. Consequently, there are evidences that the current pace of information technology advancement is fast affecting the production and sale of newspapers. Therefore, the problem confronting the study is to proffer an appraisal on Technological advancement; Threat to future newspaper and production.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The Main Objective of the research is to proffer an appraisal on Technological advancement; Threat to future newspaper and production.

The specific objectives include:

To determine the relevance of technological advancement.

To determine the threats of technological advancement on the future of newspaper and production.

To examine possible steps newspaper houses can adopt to keep up with technological advancement.

1.4 Research Questions

What is the relevance of technological advancement?

What are the threats of technological advancement on the future of newspaper and production?

What are the possible steps newspaper houses can adopt to keep up with technological advancement?

1.5 Statement of the Hypothesis

The statement of the hypothesis for the study is stated in Null as follows:

Ho1: There is no significant relationship between technological advancement and the future of newspaper and production.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The research proffers an appraisal on Technological advancement; Threat to future newspaper and production. It provides relevant data for the effective formulation and implementation of policies to enhance the realization of envisaged objective.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The research proffers an appraisal on Technological advancement; Threat to future newspaper and production.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

The study was confronted with logistics and geographical factors.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Technology Defined

Technology is viewed as a combination of equipment and knowledge. Other commentators refer to technology as the systematic application of scientific organized knowledge into practical tasks. The Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development ("OECD"), define technology as the acquisition of systematic knowledge for the manufacture of a product, or the application of a process for the rendering of a service including any integrally associated managerial and marketing techniques.

Technology Transfer Defined

Technology transfer is defined by scholars as the process by which science and technology are diffused throughout human activity. It is the transmission of know-how to suit local conditions and needs

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1 Summary

This study focused on technological advancement; threat to the future of newspaper and production. The study was set to address three research objectives.

The objectives which include:

To determine the relevance of technological advancement.

To determine the threats of technological advancement on the future of newspaper and production.

To examine possible steps newspaper houses can adopt to keep up with technological advancement.

Based on the above stated objectives and the study carried out, the following findings were made:

That the relevance of technological advancement include it aids the speedy flow of information, it breaks the barriers of distance in communication, it keeps us at the same pace with international community, technology fuels sustainable economic expansion and it drives productivity.

That the threats of technological advancement on the future of newspaper and production include it reduces newspaper readership, it leads to low patronage of newspapers, it encourages spread of rumor, it can lead to the folding of newspaper houses and it deprives some of the workforce of their jobs and makes the printing machines dormant.

That the possible steps newspaper houses can adopt to keep up with technological advancement include newspaper houses should have websites for online publication of their news, timely/ up-to-date reportage of news should be encouraged, they could adopt free pop-up of news on other organizations" websites, objectivity in news reportage should be upheld and ultra-modern equipment should be used for news coverage.

5.2 Conclusion

The main purpose of this study is to assess technological advancement; threat to the future of newspaper and production.The study was set to address three research objectives. Three research questions guided the study.
In this study, a survey research design was adopted, the population comprises all lecturers of mass communication dept., University of Uyo, a simple random sampling technique was used to select 28 respondents for the study and a questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. Relevant literatures were reviewed which guided the objectives and methodology of this study. As result of the field study and analysis of results, the following findings were made:

That the relevance of technological advancement include it aids the speedy flow of information, it breaks the barriers of distance in communication, it keeps us at the same pace with international community, technology fuels sustainable economic expansion and it drives productivity.

That the threats of technological advancement on the future of newspaper and production include it reduces newspaper readership, it leads to low patronage of newspapers, it encourages spread of rumor, it can lead to the folding of newspaper houses and it deprives some of the workforce of their jobs and makes the printing machines dormant.

That the possible steps newspaper houses can adopt to keep up with technological advancement include newspaper houses should have websites for online publication of their news, timely/ up-to-date reportage of news should be encouraged, they could adopt free pop-up of news on other organizations" websites, objectivity in news reportage should be upheld and ultra-modern equipment should be used for news coverage.

5.3 Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Firstly, newspaper houses should keep themselves up-to-date with current technological advancements. They can achieve this by having websites which report timely events as they unfold.

Secondly, just as discovered from one of the findings, they could adopt free pop-up of news on other organizations" websites, thereby reaching a larger audience.

Lastly, for any media house to succeed, it must be objective in its reportage.

• Mass Communication Project Topics and Materials