Evaluation of the Use if New Media Technologies in Selected Radio Stations in South-East Nigeria

Abstract

It is not disputable that radio stations in Nigeria have commenced the integration of new media technologies (NMTs) in their operations. This is expedient as no radio station can survive this digital era with only analogue equipment. This study evaluates the use of new media technologies in Nigerian radio station in order to ascertain the possibility of meeting up with the deadline by ITU. It unravels among other things the NMTs available to the Radio stations, what the available technologies are used for, and the proficiency level of the broadcasters in using the technologies. To generate data for this research, survey research method was adopted to guide the study and questionnaire was used as the major instrument. Findings from the analysed data show that the technologies available in Nigerian radio stations are the ones used in the processes of generating signals while transmission is done through an analogue platform. It was discovered that media staff are highly proficient in the technologies which they use in discharging their duties in their various units. It was also discovered that issues like virus and epileptic power supply are the major factors militating against the use of new media technologies in radio stations. Based on the findings, it was recommended that government and station owners should put in extra effort to provide their stations with digital transmitters so that the potentials of new media technologies can be fully maximized.