Undergraduates’ Participation in Campus Newspaper Production and Management in South East Nigeria

Abstract

This study centered on the appraisal of undergraduates’ participation in campus newspaper production and management in southeast Nigeria. It studied public universities made of up both federal and state-owned universities as well as privately owned universities in the southeastern region of Nigeria. The sample size was 300 from 15 selected universities. The study was designed as a descriptive survey with the questionnaire as an instrument for data collection. Findings indicate that two out of the five federal universities do not offer mass communication whereas two privately owned institutions (though having mass communication departments) placed their campus newspaper production on hold. Findings also indicate that printing processes are outsourced (95%) while content creation and circulation are handled by the students (100%). The study recommends that universities offering communication and media studies should not only establish a campus newspaper but also set up a printing press to expose and enhance the skills of students for a holistic newspaper production and management capacity.