CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Broadcasting has been at the forefront of many technological changes mostly in

digitalization and enhancement of existing technology. For example digital technology now

permits listeners to obtain traffic information and news per se while listening to a cassette

compact disc or radio station etc. (Church Akpan 2006).

We are all living in a changing world and over the past many ears we have been

conditioned to accept changes in the way we think and relate. Thus communication between the

peoples of the world which sounded utopist before is now becoming a reality in or very eyes

giving practical meaning to Marshall Mollohan’s view of the world ad a global village

interlinked by communication technologies (Mc Lucan 1964. P47)

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are electronic machines and

devices. Their application have both computing and communication capabilities. They range

from physical devices like digital cameras tape recorders computers sensing devices scanners

mobile phone etc to cyber space-the internet software teleconferencing satellite etc. Their

application is broad and cuts across all interpersonal and mass communication media giving

more power robustness and veracity to their operations and performance. More thane ninety

years after the world’s first broadcasting station were pounded radio is still the most persuasive

accessible affordable and flexible mass medium available in cities urban towns and rural areas.

It is often the only mass medium available to majority of the people.

The application of information and communication technologies into broadcasting

especially radio broadcasting is therefore designed to boost and enhance qualities of broadcast

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programmes. Most importantly has been the digitization of radio signal innovation programming

and live reporting from any corner of the world.

It is also believed that the business of radio broadcasting has been elevated with

information and communication technologies application. This informs why this project is

undertaken with a view of finding out what information and communication technologies have

on broadcasting taking the Atlantic FM Uyo as a reference point.

1.2 Statement of Problem

Most researches on radio reporting have their focus on coverage of particular events of

general interest and critique of programmes. This is so because it permits a close scrutiny of the

output of radio stations. Today with the addition of the profit making bias to the business of

radio broadcasting news and other programmes are seen as products which have to be packaged

well.

Atlantic FM Uyo is a newly established radio station in Akwa-ibom State. However it

is certain that it applies information and communication technologies in broadcasting functions.

Thus this research seeks to find out the Impact of Information and Communication

Technology (ICTs) on Radio News Reporting.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The objectives of this study are:

1. To find out if Information and Communication Technologies are used by Atlantic FM

Uyo in it broadcast reporting.

2. To find the extent ICT is been applied in broadcast reporting in Atlantic FM Uyo.

3. To find out impact of Iformation and Communication Technologies on the output of

broadcast reporting in Atlantic FM Radio Uyo.

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4. To make recommendations on the use of ICT on news report.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions were formulated;

1. What is the extent of the application of Information and Communication Technologies in

broadcast reporting of Atlantic FM Uyo?

2. Does Atlantic FM Uyo make use of these modern Information and Communication

Technologies in broadcast reporting?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following research hypothesis will be relevant to this study

H1: Atlantic FM Uyo makes use of ICT in radio new broadcasting.

H0: Atlantic FM Uyo does not make use of modern ICT in radio new reporting.

H2: ICT application will improve the output of radio news reporting in Atlantic FM Uyo.

H0: ICT application will not improve the output of broadcast reporting in Atlantic FM Uyo.

1.6 Scope of Study

This study is restricted to only the radio services-The Atlantic FM Uyo. The findings and

its results can only be used to determine the impact created in other radio stations where

information and communication technologies are employed in broadcasting of programs.

1.7 Significance of the Study

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The findings as a result of this stud are expected to provide information that would help

radio broadcasting improve with the use of ICTs as well as provide insight to Atlantic FMs

management. it will also help the team make necessary amends in the positive direction where

they are found to be lacking behind and equally provide model for researchers and institutions of

higher learning which will serve as reference point.

1.8 Definition of Terms

The definitions of terms were operationally defined

Communication:

This is the process of transmitting information ideas and attitudes from one person to

another.

Broadcast Reporting:

This is the journalistic act of sourcing covering working editing and presenting news on

the radio.

FM (Frequency Modulation)

It is the type of radio broadcast service in which the frequency varies in a manner

corresponding to the sound of the voice/music transmitted which is one hundred and eight six

thousand miles per second. It was found in the 1930s by Edwin Armstrong and is allocated in the

very high frequency (VHF) – the part of the radio spectrum from thirty to three hundred

megahertz.

Radio:

It is a telecommunication system by modulation and radiation of electromagnetic waves.

ICTs:

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Information and Communication Technologies this is a set of technologies used in

accomplishing modern radio communication without face-to-face meeting.

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