Impact Of Information And Communication Technology (ICT) On Radio News Reporting

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Broadcasting has been at the forefront of many technological changes, mostly in digitalization and enhancement of existing technology. For example, digital technology now permits listeners to obtain traffic information and news per se, while listening to a cassette, compact disc or radio station etc. (Church Akpan 2006).
We are all living in a changing world, and over the past many ears we have been conditioned to accept changes in the way we think and relate. Thus, communication between the peoples of the world which sounded utopist before is now becoming a reality in or very eyes giving practical meaning to Marshall Mollohan’s view of the world ad a global village interlinked by communication technologies, (Mc Lucan, 1964. P47)
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are electronic machines and devices. Their application have both computing and communication capabilities. They range from physical devices like digital cameras, tape recorders, computers, sensing devices, scanners, mobile phone, etc to cyber space-the internet, software, teleconferencing, satellite etc. Their application is broad and cuts across all interpersonal and mass communication media, giving more power, robustness and veracity to their operations and performance. More thane ninety years after the world’s first broadcasting station were pounded, radio is still the most persuasive, accessible, affordable and flexible mass medium available in cities, urban towns and rural areas. It is often the only mass medium available to majority of the people.
The application of information and communication technologies into broadcasting especially radio broadcasting is therefore designed to boost and enhance qualities of broadcast
programmes. Most importantly has been the digitization of radio signal, innovation programming and live reporting from any corner of the world.
It is also believed that the business of radio broadcasting has been elevated with information and communication technologies application. This informs why this project is undertaken with a view of finding out what information and communication technologies have on broadcasting, taking the Atlantic FM, Uyo, as a reference point.

1.2 Statement of Problem
Most researches on radio reporting have their focus on coverage of particular events of general interest and critique of programmes. This is so because it permits a close scrutiny of the output of radio stations. Today, with the addition of the profit making bias to the business of radio broadcasting, news and other programmes are seen as products which have to be packaged well.
Atlantic FM, Uyo, is a newly established radio station in Akwa-ibom State. However, it is certain that it applies information and communication technologies in broadcasting functions.
Thus, this research seeks to find out the Impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) on Radio News Reporting.

1.3 Objective of the Study
The objectives of this study are:
1. To find out if Information and Communication Technologies are used by Atlantic FM, Uyo in it broadcast reporting.
2. To find the extent ICT is been applied in broadcast reporting in Atlantic FM, Uyo.
3. To find out impact of Iformation and Communication Technologies on the output of broadcast reporting in Atlantic FM Radio, Uyo.
4. To make recommendations on the use of ICT on news report.

1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions were formulated;
1. What is the extent of the application of Information and Communication Technologies in broadcast reporting of Atlantic FM, Uyo?
2. Does Atlantic FM, Uyo, make use of these modern Information and Communication Technologies in broadcast reporting?

1.5 Research Hypothesis
The following research hypothesis will be relevant to this study
H1: Atlantic FM, Uyo, makes use of ICT in radio new broadcasting.
H0: Atlantic FM, Uyo, does not make use of modern ICT in radio new reporting.
H2: ICT application will improve the output of radio news reporting in Atlantic FM Uyo.
H0: ICT application will not improve the output of broadcast reporting in Atlantic FM, Uyo.

1.6 Scope of Study
This study is restricted to only the radio services-The Atlantic FM, Uyo. The findings and its results can only be used to determine the impact created in other radio stations where information and communication technologies are employed in broadcasting of programs.

1.7 Significance of the Study
The findings as a result of this stud are expected to provide information that would help radio broadcasting improve with the use of ICTs as well as provide insight to Atlantic FMs management. it will also help the team make necessary amends in the positive direction where they are found to be lacking behind and equally provide model for researchers and institutions of higher learning which will serve as reference point.

1.8 Definition of Terms
The definitions of terms were operationally defined
Communication:
This is the process of transmitting information, ideas and attitudes from one person to another.
Broadcast Reporting:
This is the journalistic act of sourcing, covering, working, editing and presenting news on the radio.
FM (Frequency Modulation)
It is the type of radio broadcast service in which the frequency varies in a manner corresponding to the sound of the voice/music transmitted which is one hundred and eight six thousand miles per second. It was found in the 1930s by Edwin Armstrong and is allocated in the very high frequency (VHF) – the part of the radio spectrum from thirty to three hundred megahertz.
Radio:
It is a telecommunication system by modulation and radiation of electromagnetic waves.
ICTs:
Information and Communication Technologies this is a set of technologies used in accomplishing modern radio communication without face-to-face meeting.