EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER, THE BELL ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER, THE BELL ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (A SURVEY OF RESIDENTS OF ETIM EKPO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the Study

Community newspaper focuses on writing, editing and publishing a weekly or regular newspaper for the community.

It discusses the management of the newspaper and identified the role of such community newspaper. Today, the distinguishing characteristics of a community newspaper is its commitment to serving the information needs of a particular community. The community is defined by the community’s members and a shared sense of belonging.

A community may be geographic, politic, social or religious. A community newspaper maybe published once a week or daily. Any newspaper that defines itself as committed to serving a particular community maybe defined as a “Community Newspaper”.

Despite the emergence of new information technologies such as the internet, community newspaper continues to play an important role in the information age. Over 150 million people are informed, educated and entertained by a community newspaper every week. Moreover, the value of community newspaper continues to grow as they seek new ways to serve their readers and strengthen their communities.

Effectiveness of community newspaper on community development is research work conducted in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Etim Ekpo is a community in Annang axis of Akwa Ibom State. Etim Ekpo have adopted daily independent, Nigerian newspaper in the areas of infrastructure, health, community development. Nolle – Neuman (1974) stated that “mass media” are part of the system which the individual uses to receive information about the environment.

Newspaper is a publication consisting of a number of large sheets of folded paper, on which news, advertisements and other information is printed.

• Statement of the Problem

In a democratic country like Nigeria, the importance of the press cannot be over emphasized. The press encompasses the responsibilities of informing, educating and persuading the entire populace. Apart from these traditional functions of the press, it also contributes largely to community development by mobilizing the people towards development programmes that are aimed at transforming the rural communities.

In view of the significant roles of the community newspaper in influencing community development and the poor state development in the communities in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, it is quite uncertain whether community newspaper which abound in the area have effectively influenced community development in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area. In this respect however, it is pertinent to find out the effectiveness of community newspaper on Community Development.

• Objective of the Study

• To find out if the people of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area have access to community newspaper.
• To know the extent of their exposure to community newspapers.
• To find out the perceptions of people of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area about the community newspaper.
• To know whether community newspaper have influenced community development in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.
  • Research Questions
• Do the people of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area have access to community newspaper?
• What are the extents of their exposure to community newspaper?
• What are the perceptions of people of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area about the community newspaper?
• Do community newspapers have effectively influenced community development in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area?

• Scope of the Study

This research work is on the “Effectiveness of community newspaper, the bell on community development. This work is limited to the residents of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.

• Significance of the Study

This study will be beneficial to the rural dwellers because it will increase rural development, and rural – urban migration will be reduce.

Many people has been asking what community newspaper is all about, I think this study will make them to know more about community newspaper, and this will add more value to local newspapers.