By Tony Edike
Enugu
ALTHOUGH the average Nigerian journalists is still struggling to catch up with the new technologies in the industry, the nation's media generally are measuring up with their counterparts in other parts of the world.
This has been made possible because the Nigeria Media have always maintained a strategic presence on the information super highway.
Delivering a lecture entitled "Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Revolution and the Practice of Journalism in Nigeria," as part of activities marking the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu Press Week, the Associate Dean of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), Prof Emeka Okpara, observed that peoples lives have been variously affected by ICT either for the better or for the worse, depending on the side of the divide an individual found oneself.
He added that the change brought about by ICT has been sudden, quick and rapid, noting that the ICT caught many people unawares and embarrassed companies as well as countries.
Speaking specifically on the impact of ICT on the practice of journalism in Nigeria, the University Don said the internet has had tremendous impact on many professions including football and journalism.
"For journalism, one does not need to search too far to see the impact of ICT on its practice. Most media organizations in Nigeria have already established a strong presence in cyberspace. These media houses have been and continue to be veritable sources of news and information to both Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora," explained Okpara.
The internet, he said, has made news gathering and reporting a lot easier since journalists could now file in their reports easily from any part of Nigeria where there is internet access. "All they need to do is to go to any nearby internet café and at the touch of a button, the news report is at the editor's desk ready to be served fresh to the readers," he said.
Besides, the internet has provided Nigerian journalists with international exposure as they no longer have to travel to New York or London to be read or heard.
Vanguard (Lagos)Copyright © 2007 Vanguard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
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