The invention of the World Wide Web in the last decade has made information sharing very personal, convenient and easy. The growing trend of this new communication has facilitated the establishment of a medium through which news can be accessed without the purchase of a hardcopy newspaper, radio or television. Because of this, almost all television and radio stations as well as hardcopy newspapers in Ghana have an online representation of news.
Could the introduction of the internet and online news portals be taking over from the traditional media or these portals complement traditional media? Data collected and findings of the study indicated that online news portals directly have an impact on the patronage of newspapers in Ghana but have not totally displaced newspapers. This is because while most respondents heavily depended on online news portals for information and majority felt satisfied, few others relied on newspapers for specific information such as job advertisements.
Keywords: social media, online news, newspapers, news websites, newspaper patronage.
Table of Contents
- Chapter One: Introduction
- Background
- History of Newspaper in Ghana
- Internet in Ghana
- Internet Providers in Ghana
- Digital Media in Ghana and Newspapers
- Chapter Two: Literature Review
- How Introduction of Online News Portals Affect Newspapers
- Theoretical Framework
- Uses and Gratifications Theory
- Categories of Uses and Gratifications
- Chapter Three: Research Methodology
- Research Approach and Design
- Research Setting
- Population and Sample Size
- Sampling Method
- Questionnaire Construction and Design
- Method of Data Analysis
- Ethical Issues
- Challenges
- Conclusion
- Chapter Four: Data Presentation, Analysis and Findings
- Chapter Five: Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation
- Conclusion
- Limitations
- Recommendation
Objectives and Key Themes
This study aims to investigate the impact of online news portals on the patronage of newspapers in Ghana. It explores whether the rise of online news sources complements or diminishes the role of traditional newspapers.
- The impact of online news portals on newspaper readership in Ghana.
- The usage patterns of online news portals among communication students.
- The potential for online news portals to replace print newspapers in the future.
- The role of newspapers in providing specific information not readily available online.
- The application of the Uses and Gratifications theory to understand media consumption.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter One: Introduction: This chapter introduces the study's focus on the changing landscape of news consumption in Ghana, highlighting the rise of online news portals and their potential impact on traditional newspapers. It provides background information on the history of newspapers in Ghana, the growth of the internet and online media in the country, and the coexistence of various media platforms. The chapter sets the stage for investigating whether the advantages of print newspapers, such as portability and archival value, outweigh the convenience of online news access.
Chapter Two: Literature Review: This chapter reviews existing literature relevant to the study, exploring the effects of online news portals on the newspaper industry. It introduces the theoretical framework used in the study—the Uses and Gratifications theory—which helps understand why people choose specific media to satisfy their information needs. This section lays the groundwork for analyzing how people in Ghana use both online and print news sources, exploring the various motivations and gratifications associated with each.
Chapter Three: Research Methodology: This chapter details the research design and methods employed in the study. It outlines the research approach, the selection of the sample population (communication students at AUCC), the data collection methods (questionnaires), and the statistical methods used to analyze the gathered data. The chapter also discusses ethical considerations and potential challenges encountered during the research process. The selection of communication students as the sample population is justified by their active engagement with diverse news sources.
Chapter Four: Data Presentation, Analysis and Findings: This chapter presents the findings of the study, analyzing the collected data to determine the relationship between online news portals and newspaper readership in Ghana. It may incorporate tables and figures to visualize the key findings and trends observed in the data. The chapter lays the groundwork for the discussion and conclusion found in the next chapter.
Keywords
Online news portals, newspaper patronage, Ghana, media consumption, Uses and Gratifications theory, digital media, traditional media, print newspapers, information access, communication students.
Frequently Asked Questions: Impact of Online News Portals on Newspaper Patronage in Ghana
What is the main topic of this research?
This research investigates the impact of online news portals on the patronage of newspapers in Ghana. It explores whether the rise of online news sources complements or diminishes the role of traditional newspapers.
What are the key objectives of this study?
The study aims to determine the impact of online news portals on newspaper readership in Ghana; analyze the usage patterns of online news portals among communication students; assess the potential for online news portals to replace print newspapers; explore the role of newspapers in providing specific information not readily available online; and apply the Uses and Gratifications theory to understand media consumption habits.
What are the key themes explored in the research?
Key themes include the impact of online news portals on newspaper readership, usage patterns of online news portals, the potential replacement of print newspapers by online platforms, the unique role of newspapers, and the application of Uses and Gratifications theory.
What is the structure of the research paper?
The research is structured into five chapters. Chapter One provides an introduction and background information. Chapter Two presents a literature review and theoretical framework. Chapter Three details the research methodology. Chapter Four presents data analysis and findings. Chapter Five offers a discussion, conclusion, and recommendations.
What methodology was used in the research?
The research employed a quantitative approach, utilizing questionnaires to collect data from a sample population of communication students. The data analysis methods are specified within Chapter Three, along with ethical considerations and challenges faced during the research process.
What is the sample population for this study?
The sample population consists of communication students at AUCC (presumably a university in Ghana).
What theoretical framework is used in this research?
The Uses and Gratifications theory is used to understand why people choose specific media to satisfy their information needs, specifically in the context of online and print news consumption.
What are the key findings of the research?
The specific findings are detailed in Chapter Four. This chapter presents the data analysis results regarding the relationship between online news portals and newspaper readership in Ghana.
What are the limitations and recommendations of the study?
Limitations and recommendations are discussed in Chapter Five. These address potential shortcomings of the research and suggest areas for future investigation.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include online news portals, newspaper patronage, Ghana, media consumption, Uses and Gratifications theory, digital media, traditional media, print newspapers, information access, and communication students.
Where can I find more detail about each chapter?
Chapter summaries are provided in the document, giving a brief overview of the content of each chapter.
What is the overall conclusion of the research?
The overall conclusion regarding the impact of online news portals on newspaper readership in Ghana is presented in Chapter Five.
- Quote paper
- Mavis Boamah (Author), 2015, Impact of online newsportals on the patronage of newspapers in Ghana, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/424099
