Abstract:
The introduction of the Internet has brought about transformation in every sphere of
human life. One area that this technology is transforming the world is the area of news
consumption. The Internet has made it easier for news consumers to listen and read
news at a click of a button. Online news is now consumed anytime and everywhere.
This study aims at investigating the news consumption habits of students of the
University of Education, Winneba. A questionnaire and semi structured interview was
used for data collection. A sample size of 200 was used in the study. This research
seeks to investigate the avenues students use to source news, the dominant websites
students’ access news, the kinds of news students’ source online and the reasons why
students choose online news against traditional media. Findings from the study
reveals that majority of the students’ use their mobile phones and other ICT gadgets to
browse the Internet. Students also use the various platforms such as modems, wifi,
data on their phones and the Internet cafes to access news on the Internet. Students
browse for all kinds of news online; this includes politics, sports, entertainment etc.
These kinds of news are sourced from both local and foreign websites. The study also
revealed that the students go online to read news from traditional sources with online
platforms. The work also highlights some of the challenges students encounter whilst
using the Internet. The challenges which include unstable WIFI connections, high
data charges and electricity challenges hinder the usage of the Internet by the
respondents. The study also makes some few recommendations in order to help
improve the current status quo. The recommendations include the University looking
for alternative source of energy in order for the university to have constant electricity,
government giving tax incentives to telecommunication companies in return for a
reduction in their data charges and improvement of wifi connections on campus.
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA
STUDIES, FACULTY OF LANGUAGES AND EDUCATION SUBMITTED
TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES. UNIVERSITY OF
EDUCATION, WINNEBA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD OF THE MASTER OF IN
COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES (MEDIA STUDIES) DEGREE.
JULY, 2015