Abstract

This research work would attempt to explain and analysis the effect of information and communication technology in broadcast media. Man lives to communicate and communicates to live. Various communication channels have surfaced to make this communication function possible. Mobile telephony and electronic mail were welcome additions to the array of possibilities out of the various types of communication channel that came up as the new media. The Internet as a whole, however, presented a whole new range of challenges for mass communicators as they needed to keep up with the changing technologies. The survey research method was employed in this study and questionnaires were used for data collection, then the questionnaire were tested using chi-square statistical procedure to reach a definite conclusion. The results reflect that information technology and communication has immensely aid in broadcast media development. Finally, in conclusion, the various broadcast media in Nigeria have passed through various developmental changes which have altered the traditional ways by which information was being disseminated or circulated. It can therefore be said that the broadcast media has evolved over time through various stages and has been able to survive and adapt to the various changing technologies obtainable in the society.       

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

 1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

            The information and communication age came along with many possibilities. Indeed, the advances in information and communication technologies have brought many hopes to the modern man. In the civilized west for instance, great transformations in the lives of the people, are in part functions of advances in information and communication technologies. According to Onwubalili (2004:125) “the magical changes are quite glaring in every facet of our lives and touches simplest of domestic services, to corporate and limitless industrial applications”.

One of the areas where information technology has had quite an impact is in the media. The media being a watchdog of the society are of the interface. They link people together with those in authority, in both the public and private sectors. They serve as the ears and eyes of the public and those in power, and transmit information in the form of news analysis and indeed entertainment.

            When Marshall McLuhan talked about the global village many years ago, people at that time thought he was a joker. Today, the new communicate technologies have proved that he was a man of vision. The new communication technologies have made people to become increasingly involved in one another life. As Baran (1999:51) observes, Mcluhan did believe that the media, would permit the human tribe to become one family. Technology is not itself a medium, but a social force bringing changes to the media world. Therefore communication technology is any artifacts manipulated by man to aid him communicate interpersonally or massively.

The impact of the information technology on the media industry has been improved. Information can reach people around the nation or world within a second, for instance digital technology has placed us at a point of a very significant way of development in the history of human communication, often called “the information society, and has transformed the way many men and women work in the media industry. Onwubalili (2004:125), information can be sent around the world in seconds with the new technologies, and news can reach people when it happens.

This research project therefore intends to investigate these issues in the light of the effect of information technology and communication in broadcast media.

1.2      STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Information technology acts as a great facilitator in globalization, uniting the disintegrated world and enabling people to gain access to knowledge and services, from around the world now more than ever before. Globalization however, has led to the internalization  of liberal democracy and integrated economy, society and culture. There is no doubt that the world is becoming homogenous and differences between people are diminishing. Therefore there is need for the Nigeria media, to live up to the challenge. They should be ready to meet head on the trends, i.e digitization, liberalization, consolidation and globalization, that are driving global media today.

1.3   OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives of this study are as follows:

      i.        To identify the various areas of application of information technology (IT) resources in broadcast media.

    ii.        To ascertain the effect of the used of IT resources on the operational efficiency of the Nigeria broadcast media houses.

   iii.        To identify the constraints to effective utilization of IT resources in broadcast media.

1.4       RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.                 In what areas do you think the application of information technology resources is needed in  broadcast media?

2.                 Is there an increased consumption of Nigerian broadcast media and entertainment products and services, as result of information technology?

1.5  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The advert of information technology, has opened up possibilities for storing and transmitting data and images using digital technology as a communication system. The study therefore is to understand the  significant effect of digital technology as of how distinct and relevant it is the broadcast media. This will analyze the concept of broadcast media development with reference to the changing role of the broadcast media in Nigeria.

The importance of information technology in broadcast media development cannot be over emphasized once again; it is one thing for a medium, to adopt the use of the new communication technologies for efficiency and adoption to the trend, while another which neglects it cannot meet the pace of globalization.

1.6  LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This research work has been carried out in the face of many limitations- firstly time constraints. The researcher had size months to research thoroughly and submit eh research project, alongside her normal academic load. It was therefore not easy to combine the demands of carrying pout this study, with tight academic works.

Inadequate fiancé is another limitation faced by the researcher, this made the collection of data from libraries and internet not an  easy task. This also limited the speed of the researcher as fiancé came little by little. However, the researcher succeeded in getting enough information, for the study at the long run.

A major problem encountered by the researcher is the unwilling attitude of the respondents to disclose the required information necessitating continuous persuasion and repeated visits.

Nevertheless despite these limitations which in time were out witted the researcher was able to gather enough data, from which reliable conclusions were drawn