EVALUATION OF THE USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY TOOLS IN RADIO STATIONS IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

It is not disputable that radio stations in Kogi State have commenced the integration of information and communication technologies tools (ICT) 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 information and communication technology tools in radio stations in Kogi State in order to ascertain the possibility of meeting up with the requirements by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It determines among other things the ICT tools 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. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. All the population was used for the study because the respondents were within a number that could be all examined. Findings from the analysed data show that the technologies available in Kogi State radio stations are the ones used in the processes of generating signals while transmission and their console is done through an analogue platform. It was also discovered that media staff are proficient in the technologies which they use in discharging their duties in their various units. Issues like virus and epileptic power supply, lack of digital console, digital transmitters are the major factors militating against the use of information 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/digital console so that the potentials of information and communication technology can be fully maximized.