An Assessment of Information and Communication Technology Usage In The Enhancement of Journalism Practice In Nigeria.

Background of Study

The world in which we live today is a world dominated by technology. We may not realize it but we now live in a world where our live are shaped and reshaped by technology.

One area where technology has made much impact in journalism practice in Nigeria, is the area of communication and, precisely, communicates to a heterogeneous, undifferentiated, mass audience.  Technology advancement in communication has brought about fundamental shift in human society and created changes in the way we live, work and even play. It has become so interesting that the gadgets we use even in our homes as means of communication have been affected by technology, we no longer feel comfortable rising from the sofa to adjust the volume of our television sets. Therefore, remote control has become essential for almost every gadget we acquire. Due to technological advancement in communication, the world we are in today has shriveled into one big neighborhood where the lives of the people have become so enmeshed that every nation now forms part of the day to day reality of every other nation. A situation where different countries are able to share ideas and exchange pieces of information with another as if they were next door neighbors.  

Nevertheless, it is pertinent to note that this advancement in communication has not always been this way.(2002,p. 61 – 62) Ekwelie and Okonkwo record that “At one time, man depended on the tom-tom, the “runner” or courier for exchange of vital news and information.

A great leap from this tasking mode of information dissemination came during World War II. The period saw the arrival of the mechanical method of transmitting messages or news, which was considered more advanced than the traditional mode by its users. Olukola ....