A Study of Online and Offline Newspaper Readership in Gbagede, Ifelodun Local Government, Kwara State – Nigeria

Abstract

New technology has influenced newspaper readership in the society. This study determines the preferences in the both print and online newspapers in Gbagede town. A qualitative research approach with Focus Group Discussion (FGD) method was adopted to gather and analyse data from the selected respondents. Focus Group Discussion was used in the research work. The findings reveal that 94.4% of respondents agreed that print media is now less relevant because of free access to online publications. Similarly, all the respondents confirmed that newspapers are no longer in circulation especially in the area under study. Meanwhile, 89% of the respondents also confirmed that internet service is not a barrier to online publication. A thematic analysis was used for the FGD in the both per centage and pie chart formats. Uses and Gratification Theory was adopted in the. The study revealed that the dwellers rely on online newspapers.