Utilisation of Uses and Gratifications Theory and Newspapers by Citizens for Political Information Purposes

Abstract

One of the theories in mass communication studies, namely the media uses and gratifications theory has always attracted the attention of scholars in researches. This article explored the effectiveness of the utilisation of the uses and gratification theory in newspapers by citizens for the political information purposes. The study employed the survey research method to explore two Nigerian newspapers, namely Urhobo Voice, and Urhobo Vanguard; the research questions posed from the theoretical premise of the uses and gratifications theory. The result indicated that the newspapers were not the leading sources of political information for the residents; instead, radio played the leading role as attested to in this study. Secondly, voter education was found as the most helpful factor, as indicated by respondents. The study recommends establishment of daily newspapers as a way to bridge this gap of citizens not attesting to the use of the newspapers as their leading source of political information, and also to ensure that journalists provide adequate coverage on issues of election campaigns and government-related political matters for the enlightenment of citizens.