INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE CHANGING ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN NIGERIA: A DISCOURSE ON THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND MEDIA DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

1.1 Introduction

Information technology is the process of managing and preserving information through the use of computers and software. Similarly, according to Mbadugha (2000:48), information technology (IT) is defined as the utilization of technology for information management. He said that there are numerous instances of Nigerian media outlets using IT resources in their daily operations in recent years (Mbadugha, 2000:48).

The media industry is highly competitive, and communication speed and effectiveness play a major role in determining success. Organisations, and media outlets especially, are entities that process information. This clarifies the reason why substantial funds have been set aside for research and development in the areas of advanced economics and the creation, processing, storing, retrieval, and distribution of information.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Information technology is seen as a force to be reckoned with in the 21st century since it has significantly changed our lives and continues to do so. ICT has brought it to the mass media and sparked radical transformations that have impacted and reorganized the broadcast sector, particularly in the area and timeliness of news. Not only has information technology enhanced and facilitated the production, processing, distribution, and sharing of information in the media sector, but it has also made news immediate and timely a top priority.

The media houses' offices in the early 1070s were referred to as "paper and file offices" by Iwuoha (2000:102). He clarified that paper documents are used in these offices for the majority of information processing, archiving, retrieval, and distribution. Additionally, he clarified that papers and files are frequently strewn throughout these kinds of offices, and that office documents are prone to being lost or destroyed (Iwuoha, 2000:102).

All imaginable professions have undergone significant transformations since the advent of information technology. Media organizations today routinely use a significant number of computerized sources. Both opportunities and challenges for traditional media have arisen since the advent of information technology. The majority of information in the world is moving towards computerization; new technologies that affect fundamental communication processes like human perception, cognition, and expression are part of the challenging new content. To the extent that economic and cultural observations have been minimized, information technology has drastically changed social relations and economics.

The media is now a powerful force in determining political, economic, social, and cultural developments. It has also achieved unparalleled advancements in the quantity, popularity, and quality of information circulated. All thanks to the ongoing use of information technologies in mass media. A new and distinct definition of information technology circulation is provided by globalization, which also establishes a global market with well-thought-out incentives for information technology adoption. Both the mass media and information technology will have enormous effects that go beyond the current economic environment.

In years to come, they are more likely to have a significant impact on the social and cultural ramifications of society. Communication scholars have been paying close attention to the proliferation of new media forms during the latter part of the 1990s. Since more people are turning to the internet in search of information, the mass media industry as a whole appears to have moved to hold the attention of their audience by providing news in a more qualitative manner. This is due to the internet's unique ability to provide links to story sources.

The amount of information that journalists and editors use to find new stories, obtain press releases and information, stay up to date on breaking news, interview sources, and have debates and arguments with readers has increased to all-time highs. Users visit the internet more frequently the more familiar they are with technology and the internet. Thus, information is a process that has been created through which communication and information technologies govern the advancement of culture and civic life in civilization. in the past, ideas and technologies spread around the world over centuries rather than just a few short years.

In the past few years, Information and Communication Technology has drastically transformed the world in all areas of life. It's paramount for minimizing manual operations and encouraging growth in the media. Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Impact of Information Technology and Media Development.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that due to Nigeria's mass media's poor development, all available measures, including information technology, must be carefully and quickly considered in order to improve mass media growth and development and enable the country to compete favourably in the media landscape. Tension in the political sphere has resulted from the bad state of the nation's mass media, which has led to inaccurate news reporting and dissemination as well as unprofessionalism in the media sector.

Before information technology (IT) was introduced in Nigeria, traditional media outlets and media practitioners were unable to spread ideas, messages, and information throughout the country and even abroad. This was made possible by the use of IT resources like the internet, fax machines, and global system for mobile communication (GSM) in Nigeria. Nevertheless, people rarely recognize the advantages of IT resources, particularly in the information and communication sector.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Information Technology and the Changing Role of Mass Media with reference to the Impact of Information Technology and Media Development in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To ascertain the effect of the used of information technology resources on the operational efficiency of the Nigeria media houses;
2. To determine the obstacles preventing the efficient use of information technology resources in Nigerian media communication;
3. To identify the various areas of application of information technology resources in media communication;
4. To examine the relationship between information technology and mass media in Nigeria; and
5. To recommend ways of improving mass media practice in Nigeria through information technology.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Is there any significant relationship between information technology and mass media in Nigeria?
• What is the effect of the used of information technology resources on the operational efficiency of the Nigeria media houses?
• What are the obstacles preventing the efficient use of information technology resources in Nigerian media communication?
• What are the various areas of application of information technology resources in media communication?
• What are the ways of improving mass media practice in Nigeria through information technology?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: Information technology has no significant impact on mass media practices in Nigeria.
• H1: Information technology has significant impact on mass media practices in Nigeria.

Hypothesis Two

• H0: There is no significant relationship between information technology and the development of mass media in Nigeria.
• H1: There is a significant relationship between information technology and the development of mass media in Nigeria.

1.7 Significance of Study

The development of mass media practices in Nigeria would greatly benefit from this study, which would critically examine how information technology has affected those practices. The study would also be extremely valuable to researchers, students, and academics who are interested in expanding their research on the topic by providing relevant literature.

1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the expatiation of Information Technology and the Changing Role of Mass Media in Nigeria with specific reference to the Impact of Information Technology and Media Development in Nigeria using Orient Television in Owerri as a case study.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint:The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Establishment Policies:Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this research work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
3. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
4. Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.

1.10 Definition of Terms

Media:

It is the means of communication such as television, newspaper, magazine and radio.

Development:

It means developing or being developed; the process of encouraging new mentions and industries to create jobs for the people.

Press:

It includes the prints and electric media tools such as the radio, newspaper, television, magazine and periodical usually done by the journalist.

Information:

This is data that have been processed into a form which is meaningful to the recipient and which is of a perceived value of both current or prospective decision and action by the recipient.

Computer:

A machine that is capable of solving problems and manipulating date, it accepts data, processors the data by doing some mathematical desired logical operations and gives out the desired output.

Technology:

It is the scientific knowledge used in practical ways in industry for example in designing new machines.