READERSHIP OF ONLINE NEWSPAPERS BY USERS OF SELECT CYBER CAFÉS IN UYO URBAN

ABSTRACT

The new media has offered print newspapers the opportunity to reach a wider range of readers through online versions, without any demographic or distribution problems. The advent of online newspapers has made access to news available to anyone who has access to the Internet with just a click of the mouse. However, while many developed and even developing countries are maximizing the potentials of the online versions of newspapers, how far have we gone in utilizing this technology in Nigeria, and what are the challenges that could hinder its effectiveness in our society? This paper therefore examines the level of exposure of internet subscribers in Uyo Urban to online newspapers, to ascertain whether online newspapers satisfy the news demands of its readers, ascertain the demographic groups which expose themselves to online newspapers more, to find out the motivations for readership online and to also ascertain which contents of online newspapers readers expose themselves to more. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher made some recommendations to address some of the challenges of reading online and also proffered solutions on how to effectively harness the potentials of this medium.

KEY WORDS: Internet, online newspaper, new media, online journalism, website, digital age.