CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Newsroom yesterday and today are far flung different. What it is yesterday

was of Traditional method and today it spins around communication technology. It

is on this premise this study is out to find if communication technology has

actually brought about any significant change towards improving work efficiency of

African Independent Television (AIT) Staff compared to what it is like before the

use of communication technology in Newsroom.

Therefore News room is seen as a floor where day to day activities of

journalist takes place. It is always buzzing with shouts of we are behind programme

schedule time Reporters and Camera men trying to tie loose ends of news materials

to beat deadlines.

Furthermore Newsroom before the age of communication technologies

operates mainly on analogue form a model where journalists make use of the shots

from Camera to script news items and bulletin schedules were done manually etc.

Also in today’s communication technological driven age computers are

seen in newsroom teleprompters are used journalist have access to cable television

Channels internet facilities and social media engines to monitor happenings in and

around their environment. Beats reporters can communicate live via mobile

telephones to newsroom staff for immediate update of news materials.

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Moreso newsroom today spins around multifaceted communication

technological gadgets. But the role these gadgets play will help us to understand if it

improves work efficiency of staff especially in African Independence Television

(AIT).

African Independence Television as a media outfit in brief came to existence

due to the clamour for private broadcast media in Nigeria. African Independent

Television was born in 1992 when the Nigerian Government promulgated Decree

No. 38 which deregulated the ownership of the electronic media in the country

allowing the participation of private people to own and operate license for media

outfit.

Sequel to this Chief Raymond Dopkesi owner of Daar Communication after

obtaining license to operate private broadcast media started full blown operation in

1994.

However according to Dopkesi vision statement for Africa Independent

Television (AIT) 1993 speech paper he said AIT has a unique mission which is

that of sharing the Africa experience with the wider global communities.He went

further to say that this vision statement cannot be achieved except through vigorous

upgrade and deployment of communication technological gadgets.

Therefore it is pertinent to note that this study is out to find out what role

communication technology has played in newsroom to improving efficiency of

African Independent Television (AIT) Staff in recent times. From the

aforementioned since the mission statement of AIT is anchored on the objective of

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sharing the unique African experience with the World which is to enhance global

understanding through an untainted appreciation of African and its people.

AIT therefore is motivated by unique altruistic aim to promote a

methodically reduction of tension and friction and foster a greater appreciation of

humanity it is committed to the bridging the gap in global communication

perspectives which places Africa at the ruthless mercy of Western perception

untainted undiluted and absolutely original.Therefore African Independent

Television intends to offer the world a new insight into the African experience.

1.2 Statement of Research Problem

Here effort is made to understand so far the role of communication

technology in newsroom had played or playing to improving work efficiency of

AIT staff towards achieving or attaining the mission statement “Share the African

experience in general.According to Terngu and Tennenge (2007P. 27) revealed

magic of communication technology tools stating that they cover a bewildering

array of inter connected forms of electromagnetic technologies such as

microelectronic optic fiber satellite video discs telex and data storage mechanism

all for journalist usage in newsroom.

The question therefore is whether these communication technological

gadgets have aided in improving staff efficiency in newsroom. To establish the role

communication technology in AIT newsroom is playing and to what extent has it

improved work efficiency of the staff.

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1.3 Objectives of the Study

However the objectives of the study were as follows:

1. To find out if the staff of AIT ABUJA have access to computer gadgets.

2. To find out if the staff of AIT are computer literate.

3. To determine the challenges associated with the application of computer

technology.

4. To determine if communication technology in AIT Newsroom have

improved work efficiency of staff.

1.4 Research Question

1. Do the staff of AIT ABUJA have access to computer gadgets?

2. Do the staff of AIT ABUJA have the required knowledge and skills in using

computer gadgets?

3. What are the factors militating against the application of computer

technology in AIT ABUJA Newsroom.

4. How have Newsroom Communication Technology improve work efficiency

of AIT ABUJA.

1.5 Hypothesis

Ho: The Staff of AIT ABUJA does not have access to computer gadgets.

Ho: The Staff of AIT ABUJA does not have the required knowledge and skills in

using computer gadgets.

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Ho: Newsroom communication technologies have ineffectively affected work

efficient of AIT Staff ABUJA.

1.6 Scope of the Study

For clarity and concise this study is basically a study on AIT Abuja

newsroom communication technology and the role of it to improving work

efficiency of Staff

1.7 Significance of the Study

Effort is made in this study to find out whether newsroom communication

technology have improved work efficiency of AIT staff in actualizing or attaining

the goal of its mission statement of sharing the African experience.

Also show to a large extent the impact of communication technology and its

utilization by staff of the AIT.

1.8 Operational definitions of significant terms:

It is of importance to define most terms used in the study for clearer

understanding.

1. Newsroom: A newspaper office or radio or television station where news

stories are scripted and edited. AIT ABUJA special room for News editors

and news reporters used for housing those involved in news coverage and

packaging.

2. Communication: The exchange of thoughts messages or information as

by speech signals writing or behaviour.

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3. Technology: The methods and tools of AIT ABUJA News Room Staff

developed by AIT Newsroom Abuja to facilitate the solution of its practical

problems in their Newsroom.

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