MEDIA MANAGEMENT and DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY: the NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER INDUSTRY TODAY Thesis Submitted in Accordance with the Requir
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MEDIA MANAGEMENT AND DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY: THE NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER INDUSTRY TODAY Thesis submitted in accordance with the requirements of the University of Liverpool for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By NELSON OBINNA OMENUGHA DECEMBER, 2019 “This page intentionally left blank” ii Declaration This thesis titled ‘Media Management and Disruptive Technology: The Nigerian Newspaper Industry Today’ presents my original research work. It has not been submitted in substance for any other degree or award at this or any other university or place of learning, nor is being submitted concurrently in candidature for any degree or other award. This thesis is being submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of PhD. The views expressed in this thesis are mine. Therefore, this thesis is a product of my own independent investigation, except where otherwise stated. Wherever contributions of others are involved, every effort is made to indicate this clearly, with due reference to the literature, and acknowledgement of collaborative research and discussions. I hereby give consent for my thesis to be made available to interested parties. Nelson Obinna Omenugha December, 2019 iii Abstract New media technologies have brought about radical changes in the contemporary mass communication landscape. An important aspect of these changes which is currently provoking much interest concerns how these technologies are redefining and disrupting the operations, ethos and tastes of the old media, thus challenging the future of the traditional media institution. The Nigerian newspaper industry, like others elsewhere, is caught up in this new reality as new media technologies and the attendant alternative news sources increasingly gain footing in the country. This study, therefore, examines how newspaper managers in Nigeria, to secure their future in the new dispensation, have been responding to these urgent challenges posed by new media technologies. The research is anchored within various theories: Technological Determinism (TD), Disruptive Technology (DT), Diffusion of Innovation and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and puts forward the “Techno-Human Dynamism” model, as it seeks answer to the main research question: What are the observable trends in the management of Nigerian newspapers at a time when new media technologies are posing a challenge to the survival of traditional newspapers? Adopting a mixed qualitative research approach - Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD), the study focuses on four major Nigerian daily newspapers - The Sun, The Nation, The Daily Trust and The Daily Times - as well as the newspaper readers of these daily newspapers. Three managerial personnel of each of the selected newspapers were interviewed, while Focus Group Discussion (FGD) of four sessions comprising six discussants each were conducted among newspaper readers in each of four purposively selected cities - iv Aroma junction (Awka, Anambra), Ojota junction (Ikeja, Lagos), Sky Memorial junction (Wuse, Abuja) and Rumukoro junction (Port Harcourt, Rivers) - across the country. Employing the thematic method of data analysis, the study found that Nigerian newspapers, like their counterparts elsewhere, are already experiencing the disruptive impact of new media technologies in all major areas of their operations including content, human resources and revenue. These disruptive impacts appear to be strengthening rather than merely weakening the newspaper organisations. The newspapers in response to them have become more creative, more ethical - volatising factual, accurate, investigative and analytical reporting. These are issues that had hitherto posed huge ethical concerns about Nigerian journalism. Moreover, the hybridization (integration) of the new and old media as one of the coping strategies seems to add further strength to the newspapers as they poach on the strengths of the new media to complement the weaknesses of the old. However, the newspaper managers still have some latitude to secure the future of the industry given the untapped potential of the industry both in the traditional and online sense. The study recommended that Nigerian newspapers should endeavour to keep pace with the technological innovations driving today’s newspaper industry while boldly considering other response strategies that have worked elsewhere - including journalistic co-operatives, mergers and conglomeration - towards arresting the dwindling fortunes of the industry. v Dedication This thesis is a product of grace and generous benevolence undeservedly received from God through the instrument of my parents - Dr Michael and Prof Kate Omenugha as well as my benefactors. These are people who made my dream of a PhD come true. I am deeply grateful and dedicate this thesis to them. vi Acknowledgements Undertaking this doctorate study has been a truly life-changing and enriching experience for me. Indeed, it would not have been possible to successfully undertake this study without the support and guidance that I received from many people. Therefore, it is with the greatest sense of humility, responsibility and indebtedness that I would like to thank my parents, Dr Michael and Prof Kate Omenugha as well as my siblings - Onyii, Ifyy, Edubros, NduNkem and Ij-MKO. The support I received from the home front during my studies and life in general remains legendary to say the least and indeed one of the greatest factors that spurred me into doing my best. A very hearty thank you to my principal benefactor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR and family for their benevolence and gracious scholarship offered for my doctorate studies. Without the push and generous support, this PhD would not have been achieved at this material time. My sincere and heartfelt gratitude go to my supervisors, Dr Holger Briel and Professor Simeon Yates for their continuous unwavering support of my PhD study and related research. My PhD has been an amazing experience and I thank them wholeheartedly, not only for their tremendous inspiration and academic support, but for providing me with so many wonderful opportunities to conduct my research from various perspectives. I am grateful for their exceptional patience, motivation and immense knowledge during my stay at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, XJTLU China, the long months I spent undertaking my field work in Nigeria and also vii the time I spent at University of Liverpool, UoL United Kingdom. The guidance and constant feedback assisted me in the research and writing of this thesis. I could not have imagined having better supervisors for my PhD study. I also extend my appreciation to my Dean, Prof Adam McIlwaine; UoL Departmental PGR Director Dr Sarah Thomas and indeed, the academic community at both the School of Film and TV Arts, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China and the Department of Communications and Media, University of Liverpool. My special thanks go to Markus Klingelfuss and Trevor Mahy of XJTLU Language Centre, Thomas Fischer of the Architecture Department, reviewers of my annual progress activities as well as colleagues from various programmes for the invaluable advice and feedback on my research. I am further grateful to all those at the Graduate Studies (GSO) and Post Graduate Research (PGR) offices. This PhD study would not have been successfully completed without the cooperation and support extended to me by the Chairman of Daily Trust newspaper, Mallam Kabiru Yusuf; Chairman of Folio Media Group (Publisher of The Daily Times newspaper), Mr Fidelis Anosike; Managing Director/Editor in Chief and Management of The Sun newspaper, Mr Eric Osagie; The Nation newspaper, Mr. Victor Ifijeh and The Daily Trust newspaper, Mannir Dan-Ali. My special thanks go to Mr Lekan Otufodunrin (Online Editor) of The Nation newspaper, Mr Onuoha Ukeh (Daily Editor) of the Sun newspaper and Zainab Haruna (Head of Innovations and Research) of the Folio Media Group. These gentle fellows had provided me an opportunity to conduct my Key Informant Interviews with some of their viii management staff to whom I also owe my special thanks. They all offered me access to their time and facilities during my preliminary research and interview visits. Without their priceless support, it would not have been possible to conduct and conclude this research on the challenges of new media technologies on the management of Nigerian newspaper industry. I also say a very special thank you to my academic mentor, Dr Henry Duru for his invaluable advice and feedback on my research and for always being so supportive of my work. My very warm and heartfelt appreciation also go to Prof Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, Pharm Sir Gozie Anyachebelu, Chief Aloysius Ihezie, Mr Olakunde Daisi, Chief Emmanuel Ubah, Barr Emefo Etudo, Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, Arc Michael Okonkwo, Chief Tony Oli, Chief Uchebo Ray and Sir Tony Onyima. I had drawn inspirations from the many kind words and support they readily offered in the course of my doctoral research. For the kind checks, encouragement and prayers, I extend my heartfelt gratitude and remain greatly in the debts of His Grace, Most Rev Dr Valerian Okeke, and His Lordships: Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and Bishop Peter Okpalaeke. My gratitude goes out in a special way to Rev Sr Helen Nwagwu, Rev Fr Dr Dominic Obielosi, Rev Fada Theo Odukwe, Msgr Gregory Adibe, Rev Fr Theo Ekwem, Rev Fr Jude Chukwuneke and so many of my spiritual fathers too numerous to mention here for their warm, support and prayers. I am indebted to all my friends and family in the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom and Nigeria who opened their homes to me during my visits and who were always so helpful in ix numerous ways. I am warmly grateful to Izukanne Emebolu, Pharm Dr Ogenna and wife, Prof Ifeoma Omenugha, Chichi Omenugha, Ukamaka Omenugha-Okeke and family, Dr Paul Gardner, Aunty Louise Ezeonyim,Felix Dara and Chidera Onyekwelu. Their generous hospitality afforded me the sound mind and body to think through and strengthen this work. Finally, I return all Glory and Thanksgiving to God, the very foundation and pillar on which my doctoral journey is anchored.