Youths And Newspaper Readership Among The Youths in the Buea Municipality

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Communication is very important in the growth and development of man and his activities. This will help him fit into patterns which will help him define his objectives. There are several ways we share the information which is; verbal, nonverbal, written and visual. Verbal communication is the use of language to transfer information through speaking. It is important because it is efficient. With nonverbal communication, it makes use of body language, gestures and facial expressions to convey information to others. It can be used both intentionally and unintentionally. Visual communication is the act of using photographs, art, drawings, sketches, charts and graphs to convey information. Visuals are often used as an aid during presentations to provide helpful context. Not forgetting written communication. It is the act of writing, typing or printing symbols like letters and numbers to convey information.

Before the internet, newspapers were seen as one of the most important means of communication in our society. They became common in the 17^th century. Since the invention of the newspaper in the 17^th century, it has undergone changes in both content and form. Because of the important role it plays in the development of the youths, it will be relevant as they are structured to the pattern of the cross section of the society.

The mechanics of communication, which include, cartoons and literate information, become a remote but powerful factor in creating an interest from which a semi pattern consequently emerges.

 A newspaper is a periodic publication which contains written information about events or happening which are current or up to date. It can cover a variety of fields such as; politics, sports, socialisation, arts, weather forecasts, obituaries, editorial cartoons, comic strip and even more. Newspapers are published in print (use of paper). Meanwhile, most newspapers today are also published on websites as online newspapers. Most newspapers are businesses and for them to quickly improve on their businesses, they make the front pages of their newspapers available online so whoever is interested will get it in hard copy. Newspapers also have classified ad sections where people and businesses can buy small advertisement space to sell goods and/or services.

The newspaper has responsibilities to its readers, shareholders, employees and advertisers. However, the operation of a newspaper is a public trust and its overriding responsibility is to the society it serves. The newspaper plays many roles; a watchdog against evil and wrong doing, an advocate for good works and noble deeds and an opinion leader for its community.

The reading of newspapers is very useful for young citizens to develop their language ability and get knowledge of current event in the world. Newspapers also provide criticism, economic, social and political issues as well as information and entertainment to its readers.

People read newspapers for different reasons and purposes, including pleasure, leisure, relaxation, information and knowledge. Reading books, magazines and newspapers from childhood helps people develop their thinking and understanding. It also helps to improve vocabulary. Reading is an intellectual action possible only if a man forms a habit of reading and practices this from childhood. People read newspapers to know what is happening around them. It also serves as a great source of entertainment. Advertisements also form a significant part of a newspaper. It also contains news that everyone reads, regardless of caste, religion, economic background, gender and age. And also, it is a tool of democracy that promotes equality and communal harmony. Reading newspapers is thus a good habit that can provide a great sense of educational value.

• STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Information is very crucial to the development of any country and it is obtained through the mass media. Information dissemination in modern societies is largely done through mass communication channels like newspaper (print media), radio and TV (audio visual media) and today the internet and its numerous platforms (social media). Just as information is important in society, the youths are referred to as the future of every society.  Therefore, the youth need to be informed in order to be able to fulfill their roles as future of the society. With information being a veritable tool for the youth, one would expect them to be making maximum use of the different channels of mass communication in order to be well informed on the daily happenings in their society. 

However, youths in Cameroon have been accused of making little use of the various means of communication to get informed. Worst still, the print media with is various advantages, of clarity, archival status and one of the earliest medium of mass communication is highly boycotted by the youth. In this light the study seeks to find out if youths read newspapers. The topic is developed after keen observation on the attitude of youths towards reading newspapers. It has been observed that some youths mostly make use of newspapers to get star gist information or to find out about current and pressing issues happening around and even far from them. Also, most youths only read newspapers when they’ve been given some assignment to do.

• RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. Do Youths in Buea Municipality read Newspapers?
2. What type of Newspaper is prefered by the youths?
3. What factors affecting Newspapers readership among the youths?
   • OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The study has the following objectives:

1. To examine youths and newspaper readership among the youths
2. To examine the choice of Newspapers readership among the youth
3. To determined factors affecting readership of Newspapers among youths
   • SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The result of the study will provide useful inside to students of the University of Buea and other private higher education establishments who will engage in a related study in the future.

The result of this study will help the newsmakers to know the demography of their audience. With the results obtained, they will know the materials they are to retain or remove from their news content.

The study will help to find out the problems the youths have that made them lose interest in buying and reading newspapers.

It will help the media to know how to reach out to the youth so as to create good reading habit in them.

The project will help editors and publishers to ascertain the psychological disposition of the youth audience for effective information dissemination.