ISSUES IN MODERN AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNICATION MEDIA SYSTEMS CONVERGENCE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

There is a correlation between communication and development but such is hinged on the application of the right form(s) of communication to achieve peculiar development needs. This study, therefore, investigated issues in integrating modern (online) media to complement indigenous communication media systems for community development in Nigeria. The work was anchored on three theories; the technological determinism, mediamorphosis and development media theories. The qualitative analytical method was used. The issues were discussed under the areas of availability and access, interactivity, ownership of devices, interpersonal nature of modern (online), media, elimination of geographical distance, accessibility, demassification, speed, text-video, photo-graphics combination and direct reach. The challenges are in the areas of extra-mundane nature of indigenous communication media systems, attachment to tradition, reliance on opinion leaders, cost, inability to operate, illiteracy and power supply. Issues of structure, message, content and personnel have also constituted great challenge to integration. It was concluded that it is possible to integrate modern (online) media to complement indigenous communication media systems, but there are also challenges. The challenges, though very potent, do not invalidate the possibilities for integration.