DETERMINANTS OF NEWSPAPER READERSHIP AMONG OLABISI ONABANJO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Newspaper is one of the most popular and reliable media of information among students. Newspaper reading is an intellectual activity for students of all ages as it enhances knowledge and information of the readers. This study investigates the determinants of newspaper readership among Olabisi Onabanjo University students; the frequency of their readership, the type of stories they mostly read and how they obtain the newspapers they read. The study uses quantitative research technique. It adopts a sample size of 387 students, drawn from three Faculties in the University; Social and Management Sciences, Arts and Law using the Taro Yamane formula for determining sample size. The study is anchored on the Uses and Gratification theory and media dependency theory. The paper employs the simple percentage method and frequency tables as analytical tools. Findings show that newspapers are important sources of information for Olabisi Onabanjo University students. Findings further reveal that majority of the students do not read newspapers and those who read sometimes do so for general information and awareness about socio political and educational events. The students access newspapers online because it saves time and cost. The paper concludes that most students in Olabisi Onabanjo University do not buy newspapers they read and that they read newspapers for education, information and entertainment. Therefore, the paper recommends that the University Library should provide both online and offline newspapers to encourage more students to read newspapers; newspaper readership programs should be designed in the universities and all concerned parties should ensure its implementation. Further research should also be carried out on the dispositions of newspaper readership of Olabisi Onabanjo University community at large.