Knowledge Level of New Media Application Tools and Operational Use Challenges (A Survey of Radio and TV Journalists in Government-owned Media Organizations)

Abstract

The study examined the knowledge of the use of new media tools and applications for the enhancement of information gathering and dissemination in the newsroom and the challenges faced in the integration of these tools in journalism practice, giving credence to peculiarities of the Nigerian situation. The study seeks to achieve the following objectives: to find out the challenges of news and information gathering in a digital age, to determine the knowledge level and operational skill of journalists use of the veritable tools such as apps and ICT facilities employed in the new media realm and also to enumerate ICTs challenges faced in order to engender support and vibrant journalism practice in Nigeria. The survey research method was adopted while the questionnaire was used as an instrument of data collection. Respondents showed a slightly above average knowledge level of podcasting and Google image uses (64%). However, there was little knowledge demonstrated in the uses of the wiki, dejero/bambuser etc (38% and 29% respectively). Also, challenges plaguing journalism practice in Nigeria include inadequate staff training, epileptic telecommunication network and internet server problem as a major problem (among others). This study, therefore, among others; recommends that the government provides the needed social infrastructures, which the media need to operate. In this sense, the government should improve on the power supply situation so that ICT facilities can function under the right environment and adequate training for right knowledge and use of technological applications used for attaining the standards of international media best practices.