CHAPTER
ONE
1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the Study
The
role of modern technology in achieving communication efficiency in diverse
economies and countries of the world cannot be over emphasized as the computer
technology otherwise known as Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
has become a vital information dissemination platform over the years since its
advent. A great Canadian English Professor, Marshall McLuhan (1964) described
the computer technology as an innovation that has changed the world into a
global village by compressing the world into a single electronic room, where
information from all nooks and crannies of the world can be exploited and
disseminated or exchanged within a twinkle of an eye. As such, this innovation
has launched the communication world into a seamless flow of information from
across the globe. The World Bank defines ICTs as “the set of activities which
facilitate by electronic means the processing, transmission and display of
information” (Rodriguez and Wilson, 2000). ICTs refer to technologies people
use to share, distribute, and gather information and to communicate through
computers and computer networks (ESCAP, 2000). Also, ICT has permitted people
to participate in a world in which school, work, and other activities have been
increasingly enhanced by access to varied and developing technologies since
1980s and its tools have helped people find, explore, analyze, exchange and
present information most importantly, without discrimination which when used
efficiently, can provide quick access to ideas and experiences from a wide
range of people, communities and cultures(Dakwa,2010).The application of ICT in
national development can be attested to through the use of telephones, fax,
telegraph, Internet etc though Internet has become the alternative most
explored. ICTs, represented by the Internet deliver “at once a worldwide
broadcasting capacity, which is a mechanism for information dissemination, a
medium for interaction between individual market-place for goods and services
(Kiiski and Pohjole, 2000). However, Ehikhamenor (1993) described this
information revolution as fundamental changes in the production and use of
information, occurring in the late 20th century which demands caution,
especially in the face of the Internet, as it lacks the activities of the
gatekeepers who can decide what information to disseminate and what not to make
available for the public. Meanwhile, the new media, which the Internet is one
of them, has gone a long way in bringing information to one’s doorstep. It is a
known fact that journalists in Nigerian who want to report adequate information
about the widest topical issues will benefit from the service of the Internet
as source of gathering information and making it possible for journalists to
exchange information. The Internet can also help the Nigerian journalists to
peak into the daily affairs of the public without physical presence of
journalists which reduces traveling and hotel accommodation cost and stress.
Therefore, the impact of the Internet on journalists cannot be over emphasized
for it is an essential source where journalists can access information at all
times (Uche, 2005).
Communication as it may is the most
popular technological activity which impact cannot be overemphasis. In view of
the fact that communication by its very nature; especially in this Jet age is
the product of technology. The various complex electronic advances made under
the planning of some aspects of communication are nothing but Internet
technology at work. Therefore, whatever growth to be recorded in communication
is a reflection of advancement in new information superhighway (Deusch land,
2000, p: 22)
To critically examine the role of the technology in elevating communication
efficiency in Nigeria, there is need to know that in the very beginning, human
interaction cum communication where limited to ting hamlets where population
began to increase and spread all over the surface of the earth, reaching out to
people in divert area, it become a near impossibility. Before now,
factors like geographical isolation, low level of technology and unawareness of
the outside world among other things combined to tractate the process of
communication. Today, things have changed. The technology plus internet has
revolutionized human communication to the point that one can easily be in touch
with someone in a distance land in a matter of seconds. This means that the
technology has weakened the apparent geographical and technological factors
that tend to limit human communication. However, the entire epoch of Nigerian
society is regrettable painful to all level of communication efficiency in this
modern information age because, the country still limp behind in terms of
technology in the world. While, in some countries like America, Germany and
Britain, technology evolved and simultaneously entered into their everyday
lives with a dizzying speed and a flurry of few development high speed access.
And the new ways of getting services, graphic, rich interface, technology has
become a part of their everyday activities. Thus, the stage in their societies
has gone beyond the crude oral communication, the ancient telephone and outing
postal communication, the obstacle printing press. The net technology such as
the e mail, world wide web, the interface, mobile system, and computer improved
services have become part and parcel of their daily lives, either in the
pursuit of their business, inclination and fastening of symphony of social
relationship and brotherhood with other. Currently, the Africa internet
market environment seems to be the fastest internet environment in the world.
However, the infrastructure which permits rapid long term expansion of the
internet is still lacking in Africa. And Nigeria just like the least of other
African nations still have the traditional causes of underdevelopment such as
lack of computers, overcharging by the internet service providers at work.
Also, cost of equipment, software and connecting fees is just too high in
Nigeria. Paul McAuluy (2001, p: 12), submits that “the technical apartheid
“continues” as feared.
When used the words of Lee (2006, p: 4),
which submits that “the power of web is in its universality access by everyone
irrespective of their location, background and disability is an essential
aspect”. Judging Nigeria situation, as regards its communication efficiency, it
position inthe third millennium, it deems it possible to say that the
social, political and cultural factors in the country do not permit improvement
in communication through the internet. The hackneyed and abysmal mediocrity and
stark illiteracy that have continuedto thrive in this nation, has given
no opportunity for creativity, skill and experience, research and other things
capable of engendering positivism in the information environment of this
country.
1.2 Statement
of the Problem
This
study aims to examine the role of modern technology in achieving communication
efficiency in Nigeria. Right from the time immemorial, men have been in search
of knowledge to hear and to be heard. The work of journalism has tried to
simplify information gathering and dissemination but to a great extent,
effective communication has been impeded by lots of factors like finance,
location, time, accessibility, etc. The advent of modern technology has ushered
in solution(s) to most of the challenges faced in ensuring effective
communication. However, the extent at which the broadcast organization harnesses
the modern technology to achieve communication efficiency remains unknown. This
is the actual problem which this study investigated
1.3 Objectives
of the study
The
main objective of this study is to find out the impact modern technology in
achieving communication efficiency in Nigeria, specifically the study intends
to:
1. Find out
whether the internet has in helped in elevating communication efficiency in
Nigeria, in the least past five years.
2. Measure
the rate of internet usage in Nigeria
3. Find out
some of the hindrances of internet services in Nigeria.
4. Suggest,
possible ways of improving internet services in Nigeria.
1.4 Research
Question
The
following questions was formulated to guide the research, so as to arrive at a
valid results.
1.
Has
the technology helped in elevating communication efficiency in Nigeria?
2.
Do
you think that the technology usage in Nigeria is okay?
3.
What
are the hindrances to the technology services in Nigeria?
4.
Do
you think that the technology services in Nigeria can be improved?
1.5 Significance
of the study
The
significance of this study is no doubt very enormous that it is better
described as a revolutionary study into an entire new age of information
technology and dissemination which has also been known as communication
revolution millennium. The study therefore promises to be of great benefits to
the following.
1.
To the students and future researches, it will serve as harvest of
knowledge and discovery of hidden, silent ideas about technological
communication culture in Nigeria. It is axiomatic to posit that this study will
ensure the researchers of not only knowledge, but the aspiration, zeal and to
explore more horizons in this virgin topic.
2.
To the society, organizations and her agencies, it will not
only help them to see the need to imbibe the technological culture into their
environment, but will equally enable them give support, incentives and
motivations towards a sustainability of this eventual ideas and communication
agenda.
3.
The beginners in communication industry will see modern technology
as effective, efficient communication tool. And help them make the
necessary use of technology in every area of their lives. Finally, this study
will help to find the solution to Nigerian’s sick movement in the technological
race.
1.6 Scope
of the study
The scope of this studyis
very wide, if it has to be carried out nationwide, but for the purpose of this
study, the study will only cover the activities of technology in elevating
communication efficiency in Owerri metropolis.
1.7 Delimitation
of the Study
The challenge of
finance for the general research work will be a challenge during the course of
study.
However, it is
believed that these constraints will be worked on by making the best use of the
available materials and spending more than the necessary time in the research
work. Therefore, it is strongly believed that despite these constraint, its
effect on this research report will be minimal, thus, making the objective and
significance of the study achievable.
1.9 Definition
of Terms
Technology: the application of
scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry also machinery
and devices developed from scientific knowledge.
ICT: Information
and Communication Technology
Efficiency: the state or quality of being efficient
Internet: a global computer network providing a variety
of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected
networks using standardized communication protocols.