NEWS GATHERING AND REPORTING IN DIGITAL AGE: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES FOR NTA, KSTV AND DITV REPORTERS BY ANDEYABA-SAMSON, NDEYANG DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA. OCTOBER, 2017 NEWS GATHERING AND REPORTING IN DIGITAL AGE: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES FOR NTA, KSTV AND DITV REPORTERS BY ANDEYABA-SAMSON, NDEYANG P13SSMM8037 (Msc/Soc-Scie/16078/2007-08) BEING A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN MASS COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA OCTOBER, 2017 i DECLARATION I hereby declare that this work titled ―News Gathering and Reporting In Digital Age: Prospects and Challenges For NTA, KSTV and DITV Reporters‖ has been researched and written by the researcher and has not been submitted anywhere. All documents and information used have been duly acknowledged in the reference. _________________________ ____________________ NdeyangAndeyaba-Samson Date ii CERTIFICATION The research project is the original work of Ndeyang Andeyaba-Samson with registration number P13SSMM8037. It satisfies the requirement for the award of Masters degree in Mass Communication in the Department of Mass Communication, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. __________________ _________________ ____________ Prof. Suleiman Salau Signature Date Chairman, Supervisory Committee _____________________ _____________________ ___________ Dr .Shola Adeyanju Signature Date Member, Supervisory Committee _____________________ _____________________ ___________ Dr.Mahmud Umar Signature Date Head of Department _____________________ _____________________ __________ Prof. S.Z. Abubakar Signature Date Dean of School of Post Graduate Studies iii DEDICATION This research work is dedicated to my dad who taught me all about life. Love you so much continue to rest in peace with the Lord, and to Pererat and Gyep-me you both inspire me. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Immortal, Invisible, Only wise GOD. I appreciate and honour you for your grace and mercies that have sustained me through the years. It is you all the way Lord, may your name be exalted. My profound gratitude goes to my supervisors, Prof. Suleiman Salau, Dr. Shola Adeyanju and Post graduate coordinator Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim who despite their busy schedule made out time to guide me and encouraged me through the work. I am also indebted to all my lecturers who imparted great knowledge on me, I say a big thank you God bless you all. My gratitude goes to my husband Davou Gyang and my children Pererat and Gyep-me who believed in me and showed great understanding thank you for being there. To my dear Parents Mr. and Mrs. Samson Andeyaba and siblings Kyande, Nungrimam, Iritiriman ,Nyangskep, Tsentob, Rimamsikwe and Rimamchirika, my nieces and nephews Puna, Fyafa, Ure, Joseph and Joakim as well as my In-Laws thank you for standing by me. I appreciate and remember my beloved Aunty Late Mrs. Jummai Nuhu Andeyaba who insisted I take advantage of my proximity to ABU Zaria to further my studies. Continue to rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus. Gratitude to Retplang who despite her busy schedule created time to assist and provided the need push for me to complete this work. To my friends and course mates, Agnes, Tina, Esther, Fatima, Maryam, Sarah, and Mrs Sanni, you are appreciated for your v support. To those who contributed directly or in directly to the accomplishment of this work I say thank you. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE ............................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. DECLARATION .......................................................................................................................... ii CERTIFICATION ........................................................................................................................ iii DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................ v TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................ vii LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... x ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................. xi CHAPTER ONE .......................................................................................................................... 1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY ........................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of Problem .......................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Research Questions ............................................................................................................. 7 1.4 Aims / Objectives of the Research ...................................................................................... 8 1.5 Significance of the Study .................................................................................................... 8 1.6 Scope of the Study .............................................................................................................. 9 1.7 Organization of the Study ................................................................................................... 9 1.8 Definition of Key Terms: .................................................................................................. 11 CHAPTER TWO ....................................................................................................................... 12 LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................................................................................... 12 2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 12 2.2 The Concept of News ....................................................................................................... 12 2.3 The News Reporter ........................................................................................................... 17 2.4 News Gathering and Reporting ......................................................................................... 20 2.5 News Gathering and Reporting in Digital Age. ................................................................ 24 2.6 The Challenges of News Gathering and Reporting in the Digital Age ............................ 36 2.7 Theoretical Explanation .................................................................................................... 41 2.8 Review of Empirical Studies ............................................................................................ 48 vii CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................. 56 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................. 56 3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 56 3.2 Research Design ............................................................................................................... 56 3.3 Population of the Study ..................................................................................................... 56 3.4 Sampling size .................................................................................................................... 57 3.5 Sampling Technique ......................................................................................................... 57 3.6 Instrument of Data Collection and Administration ........................................................... 58 3.7 Validity and Reliability ..................................................................................................... 58 3.8 Data Presentation and Analysis ........................................................................................ 59 CHAPTER FOUR ..................................................................................................................... 60 DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS ...................................................... 60 4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 60 4.2 Respondents‘ Bio Data ..................................................................................................... 60 4.3 Discussion of Finding ....................................................................................................... 68 CHAPTER FIVE ....................................................................................................................... 74 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATONS .............................................. 74 5.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................