Amolo emmanuel N
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- 1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS 1.0 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
| INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY RESEARCH QUESTIONS RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY 1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY 1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY 1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS 1.0 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY When this researcher first attempted to carry out a research on how to motivate a strong reading culture among children in Lagos state, especially in the speculation that poor reading culture and illiteracy was the basis for the steady decline in the academic performance of school children, the role of reading newspapers was proffered as a veritable tool that could be used to achieve this, which in turn could expose the children to develop strong media literacy and participation. While the research uncovered that children enjoyed “free reading” of newspapers, and reading newspapers more “for pleasure”, there was the challenge of accessibility and comprehension of newspaper content. While that topic is still relevant to be reviewed, the vast changes in the media landscape add enormous complexity to the issue. Indeed, reading newspapers can be viewed as a conscious and deliberate effort to develop one’s personality and intellect on diverse issues which often times are current. This implies that reading (newspapers) by its very nature ought to be a lifelong activity, but it is seen as an adult exercise. If older people form the readership base of newspapers, why not encourage children to do so too, after all that would logically guarantee continuity, right? As Francis Kachala (1997) notes, a reading nation is an informed and knowledgeable society that can contribute positively to economic transformation of its country, and also play their rightful role in the global village. However, the development of this culture of reading should start at an early stage of childhood and nurtured to adulthood as s continuous process. A report from Antananarivo, Madagascar, also gives credence to this model by indicating that during a programme that saw children relate with “newspaper people”, children expressed: “…We have seen the newspapers that our school district produces, but it is not interesting for us children. That’s why we want to create our own newspaper – to talk about issues that affect us…” Certainly children are still reading, probably being selective readers of the typical newspapers available on the newsstand, but much of their reading is shifting from paper to the screens (which have become global and more portable than ever). Early in this second decade of the 21st century, it is clear that children are still reading; although in terms of how much time is spent reading, this may be very brief. There is no compelling evidence however, that reading among children has been displaced by the emergence of new media channels. What is evident is that multitasking with other media forms while reading is on the rise and this may have implications for how stories are enjoyed and understood; and perhaps for how authors will now write in future (Desmond, 2011). As Roger Desmond (2011) notes, the distinction between readings for school and for pleasure begins to blur as stories or reports are now being provided for children in electronic formats. The image of a child carrying a book, whether during the day or at night no longer describe how, what and why children read. In fact, it would be fascinating to visualize a child consciously reading a typical tabloid-sized printed newspaper, in search of information as an adult would do. According to New Times Newspaper (2008), “Children if well groomed to read at an early age, will grow up treasuring books and will be more open minded and independent to make reasonably good choices in life” – (pp. 1). This perception can also be said of reading newspapers too. The Child Development Institute believes that skimming and scanning techniques of reading fast and understanding message content can be taught with the news sections of a newspaper. This move hopefully would also concurrently improve the reading culture in children. This research however explored the relationship between children and newspapers; to discover how much relevance they find newspaper reading, as well as their perception about creating a specialized newspaper dedicated to children where issues as it affects them are reported. Still important are questions regarding the onset of reading, the amount that children read, and what that reading contributes to their social and intellectual lives. Download 261.2 Kb. Share with your friends:
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