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PROMINENCE AND ODDITY IN MASS MEDIA

REPORTAGE: A CORRELATION ANALYSIS OF RADIO RIVERS

BY

UWALAKA TEMPLE

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ABSTRACT

This study set out to determine “Oddity and Prominence: A Correlative Analysis of Radio Rivers”. The main objectives of the study were to ascertain the response of audience on how a news item should be and to evaluate the combination of oddity and prominence in press reportage and to ascertain the news value used more by radio Rivers. 200 copies of questionnaires were used as instrument for data gathering. Data for the study comprised of one hundred and sixty respondents in Port Harcourt. Purposive sampling method was used. Some of the findings revealed oddity sustains the interest of the audience than prominence, it was further revealed that Radio Rivers made use of prominence than oddity in their news report. It was therefore recommended that news outlets and stations should use oddity in their news report and for Radio Rivers to use oddity in their news report.

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TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER ONE – INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study 7

1.1.1 Brief History of Radio Rivers II FM Stereo

Port Harcourt 8

1.2 Statement of the Problem 10

1.3 Objective of the Study 11

1.4 Research Questions 12

1.5 Significance of the Study 12

1.6 Theoretical Framework 13

1.7 Limitation of the Study 13

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms 14

CHAPTER TWO – LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Review of Development Communication 16

2.2 Review of Investigative Journalism in a Democracy 24

2.2.1 Democracy and Investigative Journalism 29

2.3 News as a Commodity 33

2.3.1 News Branding and Determinants of

News Coverage 36

CHAPTER THREE – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction 43

3.1 Research Design 44

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3.2 Sampling Procedure 45

3.3 Data Collection Method 45

3.4 Data Analysis Technique 46

CHAPTER FOUR – PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

4.1 Presentation of Data 47

CHAPTER FIVE – SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND

RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary of Findings 58

5.2 Conclusion 61

5.3 Recommendations 62

Bibliography 63

Appendix 64

LIST OF TABLES

Table 4.1: Responds Rate 47

Table 4.2: Age Distribution of Respondents 48

Table 4.3: Sex Distribution of Respondents 48

Table 4.4: Qualification Distribution of Respondents 49

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Table 4.5: Respondents Response on Listening 50

Table 4.6: Respondents Response to why they

Listen/do not Listen to Radio Rivers 50

Table 4.7: Respondents Response on News Values

Importance 51

Table 4.8: Respondents Response to Radio Rivers

Style on the News Value 52

Table 4.9: Respondents Response on the Mass Communication Maxim “When Dog bite Man

it is not News, When Man Bite Dog it is News” 53

Table 4.10: Respondents Response on Preference

of Prominence in News Reportage 53

Table 4.11: Respondents Response on Advice to

Radio Rivers for Preference to Prominence 54

Table 4.12: Respondents Response to the Beaten

of the Governor 55

Table 4.13: Respondents Opinion on Table 4.12 56

Table 4.14: Respondents Radio Rivers Listening

Frequency 56

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

The presentation of news by the mass media constitutes

one of the functions of information and education capture by

Lasswell (1964) as the surveillance of the environment. The

mass media wise up the people with the provision of

information through the presentation of news. But what really

is news?

So many attempts have been made at arriving at an

agreeable definition of news without success. This

disagreement is not only professionally oriented but also has

ideological undertone.

The first world countries see news as conflict. The second

world countries see news as advancement in Marxist ideology

while the third world counties will look at it from the point of

view of development oriented projects.

However, irrespective of one’s ideological orientation,

some essential characteristics of news have been made

manifest. For example, news is said to be what happened to

who, when, where, why and how. It is also agreed that news is

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the account of an event and not the event itself. Below are

some workable definitions of news gathered by Okon (2001:

176):

News is any accurate fact/idea that will interest a large

number of people.

News is anything timely that is slated by the news staff

because it is of interest or significance to their readers or

it can be made so.

News is an accurate, unbiased account of the significant

facts of a timely happening that is of interest to the

readers of the newspaper that prints the account.

News is an account of an event that a newspaper prints,

believing that by so doing it will make profits.

News is the report of current ideas, events or situations

that interest news consumers and profits those who own

the newspaper, magazine, radio/T.V stations or other

medium of mass communication.

But Okoye (1998: 10) defined it as “the timely account of

an interesting event which the public must know because it is

important as it helps them to live their lives meaningfully”.

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Varying as these definitions of news may be, they say

basically the same thing. To be news, an event must interest

the readers and must be timely. These definitions are

supported and framed to capture the important attributes of

news, otherwise known as NEWS VALUES. The famous news

values are as follows:

Timeliness: - Facts must be fresh. In the past, the reader was

satisfied with one old news because his whole existence moved

on a slow pace. Then news moved slowly over the ocean waves

but now it moves fast over the airwaves. So great has been the

speeding up process that radio and television newscasters can

fulfill a news function by bringing the reports and pictures

directly from an event occurs. The increased speed by which

news is now transmitted has increased the zeal of everybody in

the communication business to obtain and stress “latest

development first”.

The rule is always to bring a story up to date as much as

possible before going to the press or going on air, and if at all

to avoid using “yesterday’s news” except in early morning

reports. As far as the media are concerned, the broadcast

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media have an advantage over the print media. As the say goes,

“the broadcast media tell what news is first but they cannot

always tell what it means. To meet the challenge of the

broadcast media, the print media engage in interpretative

writing that is giving the news behind the news.

Proximity: - Distance between a news item’s place of

occurrence and the place of publication determines its degree

of the readers appeal and limits the reader’s/listener’s interest.

The local news item published or aired at its place of

occurrence makes a first claim of the readers or listeners.

Proximity/newness of events increases the readers curiosity

concerning them.

Familiarity of places and persons involved in local stories

constitute additional factors that stimulate interest. The

reader’s interest in an item tends to decrease in direct

proportion to increase in distance between its place of

occurrence and its place of publication.

Besides geographic proximity, there is also proximity of

interest. An account of students’ interest in South Africa or

workers strike in Ethiopia will have wider readership among

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students and workers in Nigeria despite the geographical

distance. This is so because they have identical interest.

Prominence: - All men may be created equal but some are

more equal and more news worthy than others. This may be

because of the position they hold, their entertainment value or

because they behave so unusual.

A high position gives added important to news

concerning the person who occupies that position. People who

have achieved greatness attract readers’ interest, the famous

and the infamous exercise special appeal to the public.

Human Interest: Intimate glimpses in the lives of others

touch the readers’ emotion. Stories that lack significance could

became news stories because of their so-called human-interest

values. Man possesses natural sympathies for other beings

like himself. As he reads/listen to the joys or sorrows of others,

they tend to become his own. When tsunami destroyed homes

and lives in Asian and North African countries, there is little

likelihood of our being affected directly except, perhaps, we are

asked to contribute to the Red Cross Relief Fund; but we are

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interested in learning of such ‘Acts of God’ because human

beings like ourselves are involved.

Oddity: This is the report of something that is unusual. This

will be determined by the mass media one is dealing with.

Some media deal with serious matters while some are light

hearted media.

Conflict: We have verbal conflict, or physical conflict.

Incidents that generate conflicts make news. Former Vice

President, Atiku Abubakar in a clash with former President

Olusegun Obasanjo over tenure elongation. ASUU in a face-off

with the federal government. It can also be physical like in

terms of rebellion, wars, etc and finally

Consequence: Items that represent vast figures or deal with

activities of masses of people have appeal because of the

magnitude of those involved in the event. Items sometimes give

rise to thoughts, not because of the items itself but because of

its probable consequence or its significance. These news

values bring to the fore the problem and editor face

determining what is news or not and the dilemma they face in

pegging their news on prominence or oddity.

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1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

There is a saying that when a dog bites a man it is not news, but when a man bites a dog, it is news.

Events involving news makers are giving more attention

in the news media – Okoye (1998: 122).

These two quotations aptly captured the two news values

of oddity and prominence. Some editor places premium on the

WHO element, whereas, others most especially from the

developed Western countries like Britain places importance on

“what” element. This two news values excluding the rest has

been generating controversies as to which one of them is or

should always in be use.

Scholars have always been in logger heads over what is

‘news’ putting into consideration the news values that they

use. While some say oddity, others called prominence. In some

quarters, news is said to be a commodity that has a marketing

value, a product which can be demanded and supplied.

Udoakah (2001) posited that: The print media package can sell

news in particular forms known as newspapers and magazines.

The electronic media news is also sold even though their

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consumers are seen not to be paying for it. Its price is prepaid

or would eventually be paid by advertisers.

He went further to state that the mass media news is

demanded, points to its utility value or ability to satisfy certain

human needs, and its exchange value.

The fulcrum of this work therefore, is to evaluate and

determine audience response to oddity and prominence in

press reportage, the study attempt to analyse how Radio

Rivers news report is presented if oddity or prominence is used.

Audience in Port Harcourt is the peripheral domain of this

research.

1.1.1 Brief History of Radio Rivers II FM Stereo Port

Harcourt

Radio Rivers is a wholly government owned radio station.

It is own by the Rivers State Government. The instrument that

brought the station is the “Rivers State of Nigeria Broadcasting

Corporation Edit No 11 of 1971.

Radio Rivers was established to aid Rivers State

Government have a medium of mass communication that

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would guard against unlawful infringement of the liberties and

rights of the individuals.

The station has the following departments viz:

News and current affairs

Commercial

Engineering

Programmes

Traffic

Security and

Administration

The station’s major raw material is the ‘newscast’. The

station is funded by the State Government through grants etc.

and internally generated revenue. This is generated through

advertisement, commercial job.

The advertisement rate is determined by area of coverage

(listenership). But the station has made an effort to attract

advertisers through the reduction of low advertisement rate,

sending out of advertisement personnel etc.

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The vision of the station is to operate as a fully

commercial outfit and to inform the people on government

policies.

Some of the general managers that have been in the

station are: Ekiye Morris, Mr. Omodu Morgan, Tadore M. etc.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

As the controversy over which news values between

oddity and prominence should be used, it is certain that

prominence plays an important role in the news industries. It

helps the reporter to peg his story on what happen or what is

said by WHO (source). The people tend to concentrate when it

is a news item that concerns a very important person in the

society. Oddity is the unusualness of the act. This makes it

news.

Whichever way one looks at it, one thing seems obvious –

oddity and prominence aid or are important to news delivering.

However, the extent and way of combining the two for

maximum delivery is yet to be empirically determined. For

oddity makes news credible and aid the followership.

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Moreover, a big or prominent man can himself involve in

what is bizarre, then oddity and prominence appear in one

story.

What are the strategies do Radio Rivers present their

news, during news casting, how do they use prominence or do

they use prominence and oddity at the same time and do they

neglect oddity in their news presentation. This research will

attempt to provide valid answers to these questions.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The following are the objectives of this study:

1. To know audience response on the use of prominence

in reporting

2. To evaluate the combination of oddity and prominence

in press reportage.

3. To ascertain the news value used more by Radio Rivers.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

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As a basis upon which this study is conducted, the

following research questions are relevant:

1. How does the audience respond to oddity as a news

value?

2. How does audience respond to the issue of prominence

in news reporting?

3. How can the press combine oddity and prominence in

news reporting?

4. Which news value is used more by Radio Rivers?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study when completed will be beneficial to Radio

Rivers 99.1FM, and other news programmers.

Radio Rivers will be able to know that their audience

thinks of their news coverage. They will know how effective the

style they are adopting is and will adjust where necessary.

More so, this study will give news programmers the

insight of what their audience want from them as it relate to

prominence and oddity of news items. The general public will

learn a lot from this study.

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Finally, it would be of great importance to researchers

wishing to carry out research on similar topics.

1.6 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

The mass communication theory that is suited for this

study is the Uses and Gratification Theory. This theory was

propounded by Katz in 1970 and it is concerned with how

people use media for the gratification of their needs. It

propounds the fact that people choose what they want to see

or read and the different media compete to satisfy each

individual’s need.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The constraints of this study as in most academic

research of this nature has to do with time factor, financial

constraints and finally, sources of information in order to

carry out this study. This study is also restricted to residents

of Port Harcourt in Rivers State.

1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

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Some terms used here required classification as to their

contextual meanings:

Prominence: - This is a news value that places premium on

the person that did or says something because such person is

seen as news makers. The person may be seen as a very

important person (VIP), professional, government personnel,

etc. What such people said in a programme may be given a

headline position in news presentation.

Oddity: - This is another news values that believes in the

unusualness of the news story. It is depicted with the

communication maxim, “when a dog bites a man it is no news,

but when a man bites a dog it becomes news” what this means

is that a dog bites a man normal occurrence but not a man

biting a dog. It is totally annihilating and bizarre. That is when

we talk of oddity.

Mass Media: - This is the various mass communication

instruments like the newspaper, magazines, television and

radio. But mass communication and mass media will be used

interchangeably in this work and even press. They are the

process of transmitting information, ideas, and attitudes to

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many people usually through a machine. It is a message

communicated through a mass medium to a large number

people.

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CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter will critically review the related literature of

previous scholars which will enhance thorough investigation of

the topic under research. The chapter is divided into three, the

first part will review development communication as it relates

to prominence in news coverage, the second part will review

investigative journalism in a democracy as it relates to oddity

in news coverage and finally, the third will look at news as a

commodity, news branding and determinants of news coverage

and news marketing and news consumers.

2.1 REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION

In addition to the classical philosophies or theories of the

press, one of the two additional theories propounded recently,

is the development media theory. The theory emerged in the

1980s to fill the gap between the developed and the developing

countries, even though the mass media in these countries

were operating according to some of the principles of the

classical theories. Consequently, there arose the need for an

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alternative theory that could appropriately explain the media

situation of the developing countries. Thus, like the libertarian

and social responsibility theories, the development media

theory emerged as a reaction against the perceived

inadequacies of earlier theoretical formulations.

The development media theory is an offspring of

authoritarianism in terms of government expectations and

control of the press. The fundamental purpose of the theory is

to use the press to serve the general good of a nation by

making the mass media function as a government instruments

for achieving economic growth, political stability, national

sovereignty, cultural development etc. This is why it is peculiar

to developing countries where the need to achieve all these

goals are very urgent, Okunna (1994). According to Dennis

McQuail (1983: 79) “some common conditions of developing

countries limited the application of other theories and so

another media theory has been developed for the developing

countries of Asia and Africa – this is the development theory of

press”. Building on this, Kunczick (1995: 36) as cited in Okon

G.B (2001) has also noted that western models of journalism

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are seen as not transferable to developing countries. According

to him:

The term “developmental theory” first cropped

up around 1967 to define a notion of

journalism according to which reporting

events of national and international

significance should be constructive in the

sense that it contributes positively to the

development of the country concerned.

But Amadi (2006:2) did not agree with these assertions.

Amadi in his book “critical issues in Nigerian mass media”

looked at development communication as a “masquerade”. He

has this to say about other scholars researching and believing

in development communication:

I have a very strong feeling that many of the

books about these concepts contained and/or

my reading of their offerings present them as

brimming with shallowness and naivety akin

to deliberate attempt by their authors to veil

what development communication should be.

He went further to demonstrate what he is trying to put

across by analyzing “indices of development” of Ghana and a

hypothetical Rumbia nation.

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Despite ideological, political, cultural and other

differences which divide the countries of the developing world,

one feature that has continued to unite them is the extremely

low level of economic development in comparison to the

developed countries. The much vaunted notion of the global

village has obviously not had much impact in the economic

sphere, as globalization has continued to worsen the disparity

between the ‘have not’ countries of the third world and the

‘haves’ in the developed world. For examples as the economic

fortunes of countries like the U.S and U.K are improving,

except for recent global financial meltdown, countries in Africa

are becoming poorer. The 1997 Human Development Report

shows that wages have fallen in the sub-Saharan region of

Africa by 50 and 60 percent. Since the beginning of the 1980s

unemployment has continued to rise unabated, and the people

generally are getting poorer.

In the face of this desperate situation, the need for

national development has become truly urgent and overriding

in developing countries, and all available resources are

expected to be used to achieve this goal. It is these peculiar

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circumstances that have shaped the principles of the

development media theory.

Consequently, the purpose and role of the press are

viewed differently in this theory from the way they are seen in

the classical theories.

The development media theory accepts that economic

development and nation building should take precedence over

freedoms of the press and individuals. In addition, the theory

advocates that the people should assist the government in the

task of nation-building, and that the government could control

the media as well as the journalists to achieve these goals.

This notion has also been reinforced by Sussman (1978:

115) who pointed out that many developing States are too

fragile, to deficient in literacy and established institutions and

their people more loyal to racial, religious, or tribal

communities than to the new concept of statehood to risk the

controversy and confrontation produced by the full exercise of

personal freedom.

Based on the foregoing, the media are basically used to

highlight efforts being made by the communities in building

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health centres, feeder roads, civic centres etc. They are also

used to focus attention on government efforts in the area of

provision of basic amenities. A more pragmatic view of the

theory was given by Vilanilam (1979: 33) when he opined that

development theory is centred around “journalism relating to

the projects and programmes launched in an economically

backward country to provide certain minimum living

standards to its people”.

Noral Quebral (1973:25) described developmental theory

as the “art and science of human communication applied to

the speedy transformation of a country from poverty to a

dynamic state of economic growth that makes possible greater

economic growth and the larger fulfillment of the human

potential”.

The development theory of the press posits that the

media are used by government to mobilize the populace for

economic, political social development. According to Okon G.B

(2001) “unfortunately, developmental theory in practice often

slips into outright corruption and complaint conformity”. Some

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of the fundamental tenets of the theory are given by McQuail

(1987: 121) as follows:

Media should accept and carry out positive development

tasks in line with nationally established policy;

Freedom of the press should be open to restriction

according to economic priorities and developmental

needs of the society;

Media should give priority in news information to link

with other developing countries which are close

geographically, culturally or politically;

In the interest of development ends, the state has a right

to intervene in, or restrict media organizations, and

devices of censorship, subsidy and direct control can be

justified.

Journalists and other media workers have

responsibilities as well as freedoms in their information

gathering and dissemination taste.

In this theory, it is assumed that the mass media and

other forms of communication have the power to positively

influence the development process. This is why both the

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concepts of development journalism and development

communication have become very vital in communication in

the third world countries.

Edeani (1993: 126) explains that development communication:

denotes the employment of all forms of

communication, and not only the mass media,

in the promotion of national development

efforts.

It can be seen from this definition that “development

communication” has a sub set which is “development

journalism”. He further informed us that development

journalism is “the kind of journalism which pays sustained

attention to the coverage of ideas, policies, programmes,

activities and events dealing with the improvement of the

people’s life”.

But the press and government have ‘killed’ this vision,

the press have become the trumpet of the government. Some

wrong doings which are to be uncovered are ‘killed’ by the

mass media. For instance, in 1987, the Military Governor of

Cross River State was chased in a village he went to

commission fake electricity. The press refused to cover the

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story. In Rivers State for example, the press did not cover the

commissioning of the Omoku Gas Turbine but there are

allegations that the then president called it a sham project.

Sequel to the press becoming the trumpet of the

government, they place premium on the prominence of the

news values but the odd part of it are concealed.

2.2 REVIEW OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IN A

DEMOCRACY

Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria has it that:

The press, radio, television and other

agencies of the mass media shall at all times

be free to uphold the fundamental objectives

contained in this chapter and uphold the

“responsibility and accountability” of the

government to the people.

We believe that the “free” there represent a democratic

society; the “responsibility and accountability of the

government to the people” is concerned with investigative

journalism. What is investigative journalism?

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Journalism is the software of the mass information media.

It is an activity which has no bounds, and which makes the

journalist relevant in all fields of human endeavour.

Journalism is the gathering, processing and dissemination of

information through the mass media (Udoakah, 1998). There

is hardly any field which is not reported by the journalist –

from business, the arts, humanities and technology, to natural

and applied science – indeed, there have been growing

specialties in journalism such as politics, health, science and

technology, agriculture, religion, aviation, economics, maritime

etc.

Journalism has been well known as an enterprise in a

hurry. But when a lot of time is spent, seeking facts about a

situation or an event, especially those facts that might be

deliberately concealed, this enterprise comes to be qualified by

the adjective “investigative”. He we have investigative

journalism. Investigative journalism provides exclusive and

detailed information on the subject being reported. It is digging

hard and long enough to unravel the facts and mystery

surrounding an event or a situation. It is energy sapping,

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money and time consuming, and risk taking. Anderson and

Benjaminson (1976) cited in Udoakah (2001) described

investigative journalism as the:

Uncovering of concealed information,

painstaking, careful, logical and complete.

Good lawyers do it in preparation for trial.

Archeologists do it in analyzing the past.

The reporter handling an investigation will have to make

all the necessary contacts and consult all the materials and

sources needed for the success of the project, Udoakah (2001).

Investigative journalism involves research. The term

research comes from a French word “recherché”, meaning to

investigate something thoroughly, to search for information, to

try to find out something that is of interest.

Democracy and its concomitant public interests and the

right to know combine to set the tone for investigative

journalism. The claims by governments in democracies to

represent the desires of their people, and to obedience of the

laws of their countries place a higher responsibility on them

and put them in the position of role models. Furthermore,

these claims form the basis of the citizens surrendering their

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individual powers through the polls to the government; thus

making that government a trustee. Interesting, rather than the

trusteeship position given to the government sending citizens

to sleep, it keeps them awake. They want to know what is

happening to their country and their welfare. The citizens’

attitude is quite in order because it has become common

knowledge that governments, the world over do not want their

citizens to know everything they do. If there is any business in

which the principle of the iceberg applies, it is the business of

governance.

As Ernest Hemingway explained in the “Paris Review” in

1958 (Hoffmann), for an iceberg, “there is seven – eights of it

under water for very part that shows …” one does not really

expect the governments to tell the citizens everything they do

because actions, though rational, may not favour everybody.

The problem is that one is not really sure that everything not

made known to the citizens is in the public interest. Some of

those things may border on corruption. This is where it

becomes necessary to employ a public interest broker to sort

out matters.

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From history, the press has stood out as that public

interest broker with occasional support from the electronic

media. These media bring information to the public when the

government seeks publicity, when the government does not

want publicity but can take a little bit, when the government

does not want publicity at all, and when the government is

neutral.

In fact, governments make available information as much

as possible while maintaining the secrecy they believe is

necessary for their functioning. It takes discerning eyes to see

through which of the secrets are in the public interest and

which one is not. And it is possible for many lay claims to

such insights. Wainwright (1972) cites Udoakah as having

identified three writers of news of our generation. These are, in

inverse order of worldly consideration, as follows:

The reporter who writes what he sees;

the interpretative reporter who writes what he sees and

what he construes to be its meaning; and

the expert who writes what he construes to be the

meaning of what he has not seen.

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Surely, the third type of news writer on Udoakah’s list is

the least qualified for investigative journalism. The first two

could qualify, with a little more training. Investigative

journalism/reporting, Williams (1978) cited Udoakah, notes,

carries a sterner responsibility than the daily news, as the

reporter is responsible for the truth of every word in the story.

He observes that many journalists think that investigative

reporting is getting a tip, surrounding it with a circumstantial

evidence, and dashing off a sensational story which they think

will blow the lid off the town. Unfortunately, this is not so.

Rather, it is an intellectual process, requiring a disciplined

mind.

2.2.1 Democracy and Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism involves a lot of frustration,

tedious digging, loneliness, blind alleys, and hostility from key

subjects (Williams, 1978). But it has thrived till today,

meaning that it enjoys public support. Investigative reporting

unmasks the corrupt, uncovers the fraudulent. Majority of

projects in investigative journalism concern the doings of

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public officials, politicians, public corporations, shanties etc.

So, the reporter must be intellectually alert, know the

community for which he is reporting – what the readership

needs and wants to know (Mencher, 1984); know the climates

of opinion, and social, economic and political trends

(MacDougall, 1977). Investigative reporting means knowing

where to get the information required in the most efficient and

economical way (Hoffmann 1979). All these suggest that there

are times when the political, moral or economic conditions in

some countries may not favour investigative reporting.

Embarking on it at such times would mean swimming against

the tide says Udoakah.

Investigative journalism is one of the checks and

balances needed for the survival of democracies. Information

supplied to the public through this means helps the citizens to

make sensible judgment on social issues. Moreover, the

exposure of corrupt officials through investigative journalism

makes public officers to sit up in their positions. According to

Anderson and Benjaminson (1976):

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Generally, the corrupt do not fear the

judgment of history as much as they fear

exposure, prosecution, conviction and

disgrace. This is why they conceal their

activities.

Sometimes ago in Nigeria, “The News” and “Tell” magazines

carried out interesting investigations which led to the removal

of the speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ibrahim

Salisu Buhari, and the senate president, Mr. Evan Enwerem.

In July 1999, “The News” exposed Ibrahim Buhari’s fraudulent

claims in his bio-data, presented during the electoral

screening exercise that preceded the elections which returned

Nigeria to democratic rule. He had claimed that he was 36

years old and had a master’s degree in Business

Administration from the University of Toronto. The magazine

traced his date of birth to King’s College where he had his

secondary education, and also contacted the University of

Toronto for a confirmation of his claim to a master’s degree.

The outcome shocked the nation when proofs were published

that he was 29, not 36 years old, and had no degree from the

37

University of Toronto. Buhari resigned his position and was

handed to the police.

In the same month, “Tell” took on Evan Enwerem, the

senate president, on similar claims. It dug up court

proceedings and judgment, and contacted a Law School in

London concerning his qualification. The outcome of these

investigations pointed to discrepancies in Enwerem’s age

declaration and the school he attended and generated

controversies. Eventually, he was removed as the senate

president.

These were much like the Watergate scandal exposure by

the “Washington Post” in the United States in 1972 which led

to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.

One interesting thing is that investigative journalism

correlates with oddity as a news value. This is that the result

of investigative reporting end up being bizarre and unusual-

oddity to the public that warrant the eventual resignation or

outright removal of those concerned. Is it not a man biting the

dog for him to claim that he is 36 years old when ordinarily,

he is 29 years old. What of claiming that one has a certificate

38

that one actually does not? It is bizarre, unusual and odd. It

satisfy oddity as a news source in all ramification unless for

the insane!

2.3 NEWS AS A COMMODITY

Mass media news, like other commodities, is an output

from a combination of factors of production namely, land,

labour, capital, and an entrepreneur. It is in demand and can

be offered for sale. The demand for, and the sale of, news

seems to be more obvious in the activities of news agencies,

whose business is to gather news from all the corners of the

world and sell to the print and electronic media. For instance,

the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) was established by Decree

19 of 1976 to, among other things:

… seek, obtain and otherwise receive through

subscriptions, payments, exchange or other

means, international, regional, local news

and news material, and news features;

… distribute news, news materials, and news

features to subscribers against payment

either in the form of fees or news exchange or

on such other terms as may be agreed.

39

The print media package can sell news in particular

forms known as newspapers and magazines. The electronic

media news is also sold even though their consumers are seen

not to be paying for it. Its price is pre-paid or would eventually

be paid by advertisers. That the mass media news is

demanded points to its utility value or ability to satisfy certain

human needs, and its exchange value. In other words, mass

media news is produced; it is demanded, because it satisfies

certain needs. The division of labour in the production of the

mass media news manifest in the different departments found

in a typical news organization, be it the print or electronic.

They include administration, editorial, composing graphics,

commercial or advertising, library, photographic, circulation

and transport. They all combine to produce the mass media

news.

Mass media news production relies on labour. There is

no technology in existence or insight for news gathering and

writing without human effort. Labour is needed for the

gathering and writing of news. In editing, typesetting, proof-

reading, page making and circulation, labour is required.

40

Labour is understood in this context as referring to any

human effort, manual or mental, skilled or unskilled, scientific

or artistic or technological use in the productive process that

attracts a wage or salary.

Emphasis on labour in mass media news production is

reflected in the emphasis on the salaries of reporters, editors,

cameramen, administrative, graphics, circulation commercial

and transport staff. Entry into the labour market of news

production is now regulated by the state through the press

council Decree, No. 85 of 1992. People are now licensed to

practice the art of mass media news production.

As in other industries which engage in the production of

commodities, there are industrial unions in news

organizations. They initiate and coordinate collective

bargaining though with little success in Nigeria, because the

conditions of service in the private media establishments

seemed to be consolidated until “The Guardian” staff

embarked on an Industrial action in September 2000.

41

2.3.1 News Branding and Determinants of News Coverage

There is no doubt, that news is a commodity going by the

preceding exposition. The proof continues in this section as a

look is taken at its branding. It may not have been obvious at

the beginning when news producers categorized news into

hard and soft news, that this was an introduction of branding

to the news business. What was obvious was the fact that it

was an effort to cater for the interests of the elites and masses.

That effort, too, brought about the classification of the

newspapers into the quality or standard and the ‘popular’ or

tabloid.

Hard news was made to be the product of the quality

newspaper meant to be read by people who wanted to develop

themselves. Issues on the public affairs, economic matters,

social problems, science and technology, education, health,

labour and region, qualified for the hard news status. It is the

kind of news that would exercise the mind in thinking before

appreciating what it is all about. With hard news, satisfaction,

is delayed as one has to reflect on the story before grasping its

gist.

42

On the other hand, soft news was made a feature of the

‘popular’ or tabloid newspapers. These are stories about crime

and segmenting corruption such as murder and scandal,

social events, accidents and disasters, sports and recreation.

They offer immediate satisfaction by making the readers

appreciate what the story is all about at a mere looking at the

headline. They explore human interest in the happenings in

society for audience empathy.

This news branding strategy is significant. It is an

attempt at segmenting news consumers and catering for their

particular needs. Even the electronic media are not left out.

They present local news, national news and world news. The

local news reflects the happenings around the area where the

station is located, whereas, national news covers the country

as a whole and the world news covers the continent and other

parts of the world.

News branding is similar to products branding by other

commodity producing companies. The brands represent taste

and class, quality and professions, industry and commerce.

Over the years; the two broad brands of hard and soft news

43

have led to multiplicity of brands, to reflect the facets of life

covered by news. Thus, nowadays, the brands have included

the following:

Economic and commercial news

Entertainment news

Environmental news

Political news

Religious news

Science and technology news

Social welfare news

Sport news

Although there are no researches to show the percentage

of the population that consumes these brands, they have been

developed and maintained by the different news organizations.

And there are people among the mass media news consumers

who would not miss a particular brand of the news, thus

suggesting the existence of the same phenomenon found in

other commodities branding – brand loyalty. This is a situation

in which consumers continuously avail themselves of a

44

particular type of product each time they need it (Bovee and

Arens, 1992).

The units in the news organizations responsible for these

news brands are known as specialist desks, and the brand

managers are called specialist reporters. These news brand

managers are people with reporting skills for, and a deep

knowledge of, the areas so developed as brands. Either

consciously or unconsciously, those who have developed news

brands seem to be attempting to satisfy Maslow’s Hierarchy of

needs, namely: physiological, safety, social esteem and self-

actualization. It is easy to notice that there are news brands

which carry information about food, drink and sex; some

provide information on physical, social and economic safety;

others highlight information about making and keeping

friendships, romance, affection in the family, church, places or

works, business and professional circles, and on how to get or

how people have been given a sense of belonging; still other

news branding bring to public knowledge, information on how

to acquire or how others have acquired self-respect and

recognition, status, prestige or success, while other brands

45

carry information on how people have attained self-fulfillment,

and on how to attain it.

News branding is indeed an attempt at satisfying the

different human needs, and it is at the heart of audience

segmentation. The desire by the members of the mass media

audience to meet their needs is likely to be, or has been the

driving force, behind the consumption of particular news

brands. And it may not be long before news brands would be

advertised and given the type of sales promotion which other

product brands, receiving today.

If news is a commodity, it is logical and natural that

certain economic principles must determine what news to

produce. Such principles include the cost-analysis and

making good use of scarce resources to achieve optimum goal.

In other words, the making of news from any event or

situation is influenced by the revenue that is likely to be

attracted to the news organization either in present or future.

This is so because the reporters and equipment to be assigned

to such events or situations cost money and are in limited

number. They are limited in number because of insufficient

46

capital resource or lack of commitment to improve on their

number.

Still, another factor that could influence the making of

news from any event is the security of both the reporter and

the news company. However, this depends on past experience

and the type of regime in power. In Nigeria, “The Guardian”

was touched during the regime of late Abacha because of the

way it was reporting the regime and the proprietor’s sour

relationship with the regime when they ceased to understand

each other. With news as a commodity the early maximum

“publish and be damned” seems to have been replaced with

publish and stay in business or publish and live to publish

tomorrow, says Udoakah (2001). Either way, it is business

thinking. No one wants to go out of business.

For the ardent of news from the point of view of

commodity, they look into the economic gains – profiteering

interest of a news item before publish such. Finally, a free flow

of mass media news has been seen as an important ingredient

of democracy. It seems to have overhauled the wheels of

democracy to the extent that the quantity and quality of news

47

have become matters of interest to both the electorate and the

government.

48

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 INTRODUCTION

According to Ogolo (1996), research methodology

describes the procedures to be followed in realizing the goals

and objectives of this research. Ake (1979) also posited that

research methodology “is concerned with the gathering,

analyzing, measurement and the use of research data”. Ohaja

(2003) dittoed the above assertion when she stated “under the

‘methodology,’ the researcher presents the procedure he

intends to use for conducting the research”.

In the same vain, Okwandu (2004) stated that “the

research methodology should include each step of the

experiment in the order it will be carried out”. They include:

- Research design

- Sampling procedure

- Method of investigation and

- Data analysis technique

49

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN

A research connotes the specification of methods and

procedures of acquiring the information needed to structure or

to solve problems. It is a programme that guides the

investigator in the process of collecting, analyzing and

interpreting observations. It allows influences concerning

causal relations and defines the domain.

The research design is a framework or plan that is used

as a guide in collecting and analyzing the data for a study.

Baridam (1995). This addresses the issues of how the study’s

subjects will be brought into the scope of the study and how

they will be employed within the research setting, to yield the

required data. This study adopts a survey research design.

According to Okwandu (2004: 15) survey research is an

investigation into certain things or, events that exist or occur

at the time of the research and connected with some problem

situation that is felt over a wide area by a large population.

This method is necessary to ascertain the audience response

to prominence and oddity in Radio Rivers News Coverage.

50

3.2 SAMPLING PROCEDURE

The study population comprises of the audience of Radio

Rivers in Port Harcourt. This study adopts a purposive

sampling technique. This is one of the three methods of non-

probability sampling.

According to Ohaja(2003), purposive sampling is used

when a researcher seeks certain characteristics in his/her

sampling elements and he/her wants to ensure that those

chosen have those characteristics. He/her therefore eliminates

other members of the population and work with those that

meet his requirements.

A total number of 200 copies of questionnaire were

administered, 180 copies were retrieved and 160 copies were

useable.

3.3 DATA COLLECTION METHOD

The questionnaire was used as data collection

instrument. This method was chosen to allow data collection

to be completed within the time frame allowed for the study

because personal interview would have been time consuming

51

and expensive. The questionnaire were personally

administered and retrieved after a week. This allowed time for

proper responses.

3.4 DATA ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE

Data were presented in frequency distribution tables and

followed by brief explanatory note. Data were analysed using

simple percentages. This was done by dividing the response

frequency by the total number of respondents and multiplying

the results by 100.

Mathematically, it is stated thus:

Percentage % = response frequency Total numbers of respondents x100

52

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

This chapter presents data questionnaire distributed as

primary sources data that are presented in frequency

distribution tables and followed by brief explanatory notes.

Data analysis involves the use of simple percentages and

conclusions are drawn in favour of the variable with the

highest percentage.

4.1 PRESENTATION OF DATA

Table 4.1: Response Rate

Questionnaire Number Percentage (%)

Total No. administered 200 100

Total No. retrieved 180 90

Total No. useable 160 80

Source: Survey Data, 2010.

Table 4.1 above presented the response rate of the

questionnaire. Data shows that out of the total number

200(100%) of questionnaire administered, 180(90%)

questionnaire were retrieved and out of the 180 questionnaire

53

retrieved, 160(80%) were useable. This gave the researcher a

response rate of 80 percent to work with. Here, 160

questionnaire are now 100%.

Table 4.2: Age Distribution of Respondents

option Number Percentage (%)

18 – 30 40 25

31 – 50 100 62.5

51 and above 20 12.5

Total 160 100%

Source: Survey Data, 2010.

Table 4.2 showed that out of 160(100%) respondents,

100(62.5%) were between the ages of 31 – 50, 40(25%)

respondents were between the ages of 18 – 30 whereas,

20(12.5%) were either 51 or above.

Table 4.3: Sex Distribution of Respondents

Option Number Percentage (%)

Male 120 75

Female 40 25

Total 160 100

Source: Survey Data, 2010.

54

Table 4.3 showed that out of the total number of

160(100%) respondents, 120(75%) respondents were male

while 40(25%) respondents were female.

Table 4.4: Qualification Distribution of Respondents

Option Number Percentage (%)

FSLC 20 12.5

SSC 50 31.25

Diploma and above 90 56.25

Total 160 100

Source: Survey Data, 2010.

Table 4.4 showed that out of the total number of

160(100%) respondents, 20(12.5%) respondents have First

Schools Leaving Certificate (FSLC), 50(31.25%) respondents

have Senior School Certificate (SSC) and 90(56.25%)

respondents have degrees from institutions of higher learning.

55

Table 4.5: Respondents Response on Listening

Option Number Percentage (%)

Male 120 75

Female 40 25

Total 160 100

Source: Survey Data, 2010.

Table 4.5 showed that out of 160(100%) respondents,

120(75%) respondents listen to Radio Rivers and 40(25%) do

not listen to Radio Rivers.

Table 4.6: Respondents Response to why they Listen/do

not Listen to Radio Rivers

Option Number Percentage

One line reportage 20 12.5

Only government officials make news 20 12.5

Who did what is more important 60 37.5

Credible news outlet - -

What happened more important - -

Propaganda tool of government 60 37.5

Total 160 100

Source: Survey Data, 2010.

56

Table 4.6 showed that out of 160(100%) respondents,

20(12.5%) respondents believed that Radio Rivers engage in

one line reportage, 20(12.5%) respondents believed that only

government officials make news in Radio Rivers, 60(37.5%)

respondents said that who did what is more important in

Radio Rivers, 60(37.5%) believed that Radio Rivers is a

propaganda tool of the government, no respondent believed

that Radio Rivers is a credible news outlet and what happened

being more important in Radio Rivers.

Table 4.7: Respondents Response on News Values

Importance

Option Number Percentage (%)

Oddity 100 62.5

Prominence 60 37.5

Non of the above - -

Total 160 100

Source: Survey Data, 2010.

Table 4.7 above indicated that out of all 160(100%)

respondents, 100(62.5%) respondents believed that in news

57

value, oddity is more important to prominence, 60(37.5%)

respondents believed that prominence is more important to

oddity.

Table 4.8: Respondents Response to Radio Rivers Style on

the News Value

Option Number Percentage (%)

Oddity 30 18.75

Prominence 120 75

10 6.25

Total 160 100

Source: Survey Data, 2010.

Table 4.8 indicated that out of all 160(100%) respondents,

30(18.75%) respondents believed that in Radio Rivers that

oddity is more important among the other news values,

120(75%) respondents believed that prominence is more

important among other news values and 10(6.25%)

respondents believed that other news values viz: conflict,

nearness, consequence etc are more important than

prominence and oddity.

58

Table 4.9: Respondents Response on the Mass

Communication Maxim “When Dog bite Man it is not News,

When Man Bite Dog it is News”

Option Number Percentage (%)

Yes 120 75

No 40 25

Total 160 100

Source: Survey Data, 2010.

Table 4.9 showed that out of 160(100%) respondents,

120(75%) respondents believed and supported the mass

communication maxim, 40(25%) of the respondents do not

believed the maxim.

Table 4.10: Respondents Response on Preference of

Prominence in News Reportage

Option Number Percentage (%)

Yes 40 25

No 120 75

Total 160 100

Source: Survey Data, 2010.

59

Table 4.10 showed that out of 160(100%) respondents,

40(25%) respondents prefer prominence only in news reports

and 120(75%) respondents do not prefer prominence only in

news reports.

Table 4.11: Respondents Response on Advice to Radio

Rivers for Preference to Prominence

Option Number Percentage (%)

Keep it up 10 6.25

Mix little oddity 20 12.5

More oddity 80 50

Stop this 50 31.25

Total 160 100

Source: Survey Data, 2010.

Table 4.11 showed that out of the total number of

160(100%) respondents, 10(6.25%) respondents wanted Radio

Rivers to keep up with prominence, 20(12.5%) respondents

wanted Radio Rivers to mix little oddity to the prominence,

80(50%) respondents wanted more oddity to little prominence

60

and 50(31.25%) respondents wanted Radio Rivers to abolish

prominence in their reportage.

Table 4.12: Respondents Response to the Beaten of the

Governor

Option Number Percentage (%)

Report the commissioning only 40 25

Do not report at all 10 6.25

Report objectively 110 68.75

Total 160 100

Source: Survey Data, 2010.

Table 4.12 showed that out of 160(100%) respondents,

40(25%) respondents prayed the radio station to report the

commissioning of the non-existent project only without

reporting the beaten of the governor by the people, 10(6.25%)

respondents wished that it should not be reported at all and

110 (68.75%) respondents prayed that the station report

objectively – by reporting the beating of the governor.

61

Table 4.13: Respondents Opinion on Table 4.12

Option Number Percentage (%)

Who 40 25

What 120 75

Total 160 100

Source: Survey Data, 2010.

Table 4.13 showed that out of 160(100%) respondents,

40(25%) respondents believed that, the governor

commissioning a project is more important than the governor

being beaten and 120(75%) respondents opined that what

happened – the governor being beaten for pseudo project

commissioning is important than the commissioning a project.

Table 4.14: Respondents Radio Rivers Listening Frequency

Option Number Percentage (%)

Regularly 80 50

Most times 50 31.25

Sometimes 30 18.75

Total 160 100

Source: Survey Data, 2010.

62

Table 4.14 showed that out of 160(100%) respondent,

80(50%) respondents listen to Radio Rivers regularly,

50(31.25%) respondents listen to Radio Rivers most times

30(18.75%) respondents listen to Radio Rivers sometimes and

no respondent do not listen to Radio Rivers.

63

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presented a summary of findings from

primary research, drew conclusions from them, make

necessary recommendations. The researcher is looking at

oddity and prominence in news reportage of Radio Rivers.

5.1 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

This study attempted to find out oddity and prominence:

a correlative analysis.

Data revealed that audience prefer an odd news item to

any other news value. Table 4.9 showed that 75 percent

respondents believed and supported the mass communication

maxim, that man bites dog is a better news to dog bites man.

This further showed that oddity is preferred by the

respondents.

Furthermore, the more absurd and odd a news item is,

the more interest it will generate. Table 4.7 showed that 62.5

percent respondents see oddity as the most important to any

other news value. Table 4.11 indicated that audience prefers

64

oddity. 80(16.75) percent respondents advised Radio Rivers to

include oddity in the news reportage. 68.75 percent

respondents wanted Radio Rivers to report that the governor

was beaten sequel to commissioning of a pseudo project in

table 4.12.

According to findings, 75 percent of the respondents

opined that what, “the beating of the governor” is more

important in table 4.13.

Data revealed that the audience do not like too much

prominence in news reportage. 75 percent of respondents in

table 4.10 do not prefer prominence as only a paltry of 25

percent respondents that like prominence in news reports.

37.5 percent of respondents in table 4.7 believed prominence

to be more important as against 62.5 of oddity. Audience do

not like prominence as they do with oddity. Table 4.11 showed

that 6.25 percent respondents advised Radio Rivers to keep on

with their (Radio Rivers) choice of prominence. This percent is

too infinisimal to 96.75 percent of those who advised otherwise.

Research showed that audience will prefer a mixture of

less prominence and more oddity. What happen and why it is

65

more important to the audience than miserable who say what.

Table 4.11 showed that only 10 percent respondents prefer

prominence, 50 percent respondents advised more oddity less

prominence, other areas of direct competition between oddity

and prominence showed audience to prefer oddity to

prominence.

According to findings, audience believed that prominence

is used more by Radio Rivers. Table 4.8 showed that 75

percent respondents believed that Radio Rivers use

prominence. No respondent believed that Radio Rivers is a

credible news outlet in table 4.6. Whereas, 37.5 saw Radio

Rivers as a proganada tool of government.

Data revealed that Radio Rivers is a popular news station

to the audience. 75 percent of respondents in table 4.5 listen

to Radio Rivers and in table 4.14, 50 percent respondents

listen to Radio Rivers regularly. A total of 90 percent

respondents has listened to Radio Rivers.

5.2 CONCLUSION

66

Based on the findings above, the following conclusions

were drawn:

Audience opined that oddity give them more to cheer and

give them the inspiration to listen to news. Study also showed

that oddity motivate the audience to crave for more news. This

means that the more odd or absurd a news item is, the more

interest it will generate.

Prominence is not liked by the audience and do not

contribute much to the sustenance of audience interest in

news item. This means that prominence plays a minimal role

to audience in news interest. It hardly arouse the interest of

the audience.

Finding showed also that the combination of oddity and

prominence will be tolerated though only in a ratio where

oddity is more.

Study also showed that Radio Rivers prefer prominence

to any other news value. This may not be unconnected to their

being a government radio station, which males them strive to

impress their boss in the government house.

67

Finally, Radio Rivers is popular among the people but

with bad image. This may be sequel to their affinity to

government. The station is seen as propaganda tool of

government.

5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the findings in this study, some

recommendations were made and they are as follows:

- Since the most important problem identified is to know

the more important between oddity and prominence,

Radio stations and other news outlets should report their

news using oddity. This means that radio stations should

place oddity higher than any other news value since this

will increase or hold on to the audience. This will help the

news outlet to have increased listenership.

- Radio Rivers programmes and current affairs department,

and those who determine news must reduce prominence

and add oddity in other to hold on or increase their

listeners.

- Radio Rivers should report events objectively in order to

change the attitude of the people towards them.

68

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Amadi, Fred (2006): Critical Issues in Nigerian Mass Media. Port Harcourt, Charles Worth.

Baridam, D.W. (1995): Research Methods on Administrative

Science. Port Harcourt Paragraphics. Hornby, A.S. Oxford Advance Learner’s Dictionary of Current

English; 6th Edition. Ogolo, M.B. (1996): Students Guide to Writing Research and

Project and Proposals. Port Harcourt, City Creeks Publishers.

Ohaja, E.U. (2003): Mass Communication Research and

Report Writing. Lagos, John Latterman Limited Publications.

Okon, G.B. (2001): Basic Dimension in Mass Communication.

Lagos: HDX Communications Limited. Okoye, Innocent (1998): Feature Writing: Theory and Practice.

Lagos, Mic Pac Ventures Ltd. Okunna, S.C. (1999): Introduction Mass Communication.

Enugu, New Generation Ventures Limited. Okwandu, G.A. (2004): Research Methods in Business and

Social Science. Owerri, Civincs Publishers. Udoakah, N. (2001): Issues in Media Practice. Port Harcourt;

Stirling-Horden Publishers.

69

Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Management Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt.

May, 2010. Dear Respondent,

REQUEST FOR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE I am an undergraduate student of the above named university, undertaking a study on “Oddity and Prominence: An Analysis of Radio Rivers Reportage”. Your response to the questionnaire will go a long way in helping me achieve the purpose of this study. I beg that you provide these responses honestly. This study is academic and so will be used strictly for that. Yours faithfully, UWALAKA TEMPLE

70

QUESTIONNAIRE

Please kindly read and complete each item sincerely and according. 1. Sex (a) Male (b) Female

2. How old are you?

(a) 18 – 30

(b) 31 – 50

(c) 51 and above

3. Educational qualification

(a) FSLC

(b) SSC

(c) Diploma and above

4. Do you listen to Radio Rivers?

(a) Yes (b) No

5. If Yes/No why?

(a) One line reportage

(b) Only government officials make news

(c) Who did what is more important

(d) Credible news outlet

(e) What happened more important

(f) Propaganda tool of government

71

6. In news values, oddity and prominence which is

important?

(a) Oddity

(b) Prominence

(c) None of the above

7. In radio Rivers, which of the news value is important?

(a) Oddity

(b) Prominence

(c) Others

8. “When dog bite man it is not news, when man bite dog it

is news” Do you believe this Mass Communication

maxim? (a) Yes (b) No

9. Do you prefer prominence only in news reports?

(a) Yes (b) No

10. What will you advise Radio Rivers if they prefer

prominence?

(a) Keep it up

(b) Mix little oddity

(c) More oddity

(d) Stop this

72

11. If the Governor was beaten by some villagers because the

villagers were against his commissioning of a non-

existence project in the village, what advise will you

render to Radio Rivers?

(a) Report the commissioning only

(b) Do not report

(c) Report objectively

12. In your opinion, from question 11, which news value is

more important?

(a) Who – the Governor commissioning a project

(b) What – the beaten of the Governor

13. How often do you listen to Radio Rivers?

(a) Regularly

(b) Most times

(c) Some times

(d) Do not listen