Readers Perception Of The Role Of Print Media In Sports Development In Nigeria

Readers Perception Of The Role Of Print Media In Sports Development In Nigeria

Chapiter 1

Introduction

1.1 Introduction To The Study

Sports were first intended to be recreational activities, but as monetary and material rewards as well as the associated honor have been added, the number of competitors, the number of competitions, and the quest for success have brought high level politics into sports. Because of the anticipated rewards, the system has become tarnished by fraud, inconsistencies, and injustices. But many individuals and organizations nowadays are eager to learn about athletic activities. Fixtures, dates, times, and locations of these events become interesting topics. They also call into question current plans as well as those from the past.

As a result, the key to resolving this thirst for knowledge and information is information and widespread awareness. Reporting on athletic events for the general public is the responsibility of a specialized division or field of journalism. Sports reporting expertise and specialty are required due to the reports’ influence on public opinion and sports administration in general.

In light of these facts, this study looks at how print media in Nigeria has impacted the growth of sport. Up until the first world sports fiesta, which took place in the early 1930s, sports were mostly a recreational phenomenon. Sports between nations and continents have become stronger and more competitive as a result of selection processes among various nations. Thus, organized sports act as a unifying factor and a catalyst for social interaction. Financial rewards, worldwide honors, and merit prizes were introduced as a motivator for people and countries vying for the crown. There are now employment prospects thanks to the establishment of sports organizations as the National Food Authority (NFA), Confederation of African Football (CAF), and Federation International de Football Association (FIFA).

As a result, different sports, awards, pressure organizations, and interests evolved. These groups and interests push for information regarding the mechanics and dynamics of these sports on a daily basis, purportedly in an effort to preserve and/or alter particular phenomena.

The print media fills this responsibility gap by covering these events and disseminating the necessary information to all parties involved locally and abroad. Sports news, according to Beazell W.P., “comes nearer than anything else I know of, to the common denominator of news.” The sports pages of the modern Newspaper likely draw the interest of readers across the board more than any other section.

The entire socio-cultural, political, and economic framework of a country is greatly impacted by this task. Nationalistic pressures, fanaticism, and hooliganism in sports were brought on by sport commentary. It has expanded in scope, making it the most expensive but most effective way to advertise goods, services, and programs. It has brought in millions of dollars for their organizers and turned numerous analysts and commentators become well-known figures around the world. The fight for national heteronomy has also permeated the world of sports. Given the importance of sports reporting, excellent and impartial reporting requires the use of concrete facts as well as the appropriate reporting resources. They are curious about the tools and procedures used to collect data. They typically gather the information via mass media, periodicals, press associations, and personal observation.

The number of competitors, the number of events, and the struggle for success have all led to the entry of high level politics into sport as a result of the advent of monetary and material incentives as well as the attendant honor. Because of the anticipated rewards, the system has become tarnished by fraud, inconsistencies, and injustices. But many individuals and organizations nowadays are eager to learn about athletic activities. Fixtures, dates, times, and locations of these events become interesting topics. They also call into question current plans as well as those from the past.

The sports journalists compile, analyze, and publish pertinent news items that interested parties need to know. They are constantly on the go as a result of this responsibility looking for information that the general public will find to be of great worth. Consequently, this essay examines organization. sports reporting structures, sports reporters’ responsibilities, and technical requirements for quality sports reporting.

1.2 Statement of the problem:

A serious reevaluation of the roles and responsibilities of sport journalists and media through self-regulation has been called for. The media has been criticized for carrying out their social responsibility and development role in the development of sport in Nigeria by placing too much emphasis on European sporting promotion and culture to the detriment of indigenous games and talents. However, industry observers agree that practitioners have adopted a profit-maximizing strategy given the nature of media ownership and the high cost of media production, which finds a more fertile ground in the portrayal of foreign sports in Nigerian media and the significant advertising revenue it generates than in local sporting events and activities, which are underfunded, ill-equipped, and lack proper promotion, administration, management, branding, and packaging.

The problem of Nigerians’ high tolerance for foreign media content, particularly sports, also exists. Nigerians would rather stay at their places of employment with friends and families to discuss the results of foreign sporting events or even to watch them than pay to watch local athletes or sporting events. Numerous trends in Nigerian media outlets show that there is little attention paid to sporting issues and events, and even when there is, a greater percentage of the stories focus on international sporting stars and talents rather than our own home-grown athletes.

1.3.1 Objective of the Study

1. To understand how print media affects the growth of sports

2. To investigate the difficulties print media face while covering sports events

3. To research the sports-related topic that print media prioritizes?

4. To understand why sporting events are typically included on the back cover of both newspapers and magazines.

1.4 Questions For Research

1. Does Nigeria’s print media support the growth of sport there?

2. What difficulties do sports reporters and the sports desk have when covering sporting events?

3. Why do Nigerian sports journalists focus more on international sports events than local sports?

4. Why do sporting events typically appear on the back cover of both newspapers and magazines?

1.5 The Study’s Significance

There is no question that effort like this will benefit a particular group of people and/or entity. The following individuals will gain from this research on the role of print media in sport development: journalists, media owners, sports enthusiasts, the government, and future researchers.

Journalists: After reading this piece, sport writers and sport editors will understand how important it is for the public to be entertained, which will motivate them to work more.

Media Owners: As a result of the research, media owners will be able to budget an appropriate sum for supplies, equipment, and other logistics to support their sports desk.

Government: Government at all levels will recognize the benefits of fostering domestic sport in order to give domestic sports precedence over those from elsewhere. While the government ought to make some crucial equipment for reporting on sports available.

Future Researchers: The study will be useful as a reference for researchers who will be looking into this or related research.

1.6 The Study’s Scope

The study’s focus is on how print media in Nigeria has contributed to the growth of sports in the setting of entire sport newspapers. Although the primary goal of the research is to analyze how print media has impacted the growth of sport in Nigeria, this cannot be done without taking into account the contribution that the Complete Sport Newspaper has made to the growth of sport in Nigeria.