ATTITUDE OF UNDERGRADUATE MASS COMMUNICATION STUDENTS OF BINGHAM UNIVERSITY TOWARDS JOURNALISM AS A CAREER

Abstract

Research has shown that many mass communication graduates have been produced every year in Nigeria. However, only a few of them venture into journalism as a career. Using a quantitative approach, the researcher examined the attitude of undergraduate mass communication students of Bingham University, Nigeria, towards journalism as a career. The population of the study consists of 300 registered 100 to 400 level students in the Department of Mass Communication. Census method was adopted to sample the perception of the respondents towards journalism as a career. Online questionnaire via Google form was employed for data collection and analysis. The data were analyzed and presented in tables and bar chart. Hinged on the Perception Theory, findings revealed that majority (61.2%) of the participants have positive attitude towards journalism as a career. However, further finding shows that the risky and hazardous nature of journalism profession in Nigeria; such as killing, kidnapping, assault and discrimination against journalists, poor remuneration among others, immensely influenced the decision of some students to venture into other professions or careers rather than journalism after graduation. Based on the findings, the study recommended that media organizations and the Nigerian government should ensure adequate security for journalists on the line of duty, provide attractive working conditions such as appropriate salaries and allowances as well as job security and protection of the life of journalists so as to make journalism profession more attractive to the teeming young graduates of mass communication in Nigeria.