THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERNET TOOLS USAGE AND JOURNALISM PROFESSION IN BAUCHI METROPOLIS: A STUDY OF ALBARKA RADIO BAUCHI

This study has been undertaken on the relationship between internet tools usage and Journalism Profession in Bauchi Metropolis. A Study of Albarka Radio Bauchi. For the researcher to achieve this general purpose the following specific objectives were taken into consideration: to examine the influence of internet tools in newsgathering and transmission in Albarka Radio Bauchi; to find out the Internet tools used in newsgathering and transmission in Albarka Radio Bauchi; to find out the extent of Internet tools usage in newsgathering and transmission in Albarka Radio Bauchi. The study anchored on Diffusion of innovation theory. Quantitative approach and survey research method were adopted. Questionnaire method was used to collect data for presentation and analysis. The data was analysed using thematic method. The study found out that technology and application such as the Internet Protocol and the Voice over the Internet Protocol-VoIP are today adding up to the quality and speed of newsgathering and transmission in Albarka Radio, Bauchi; However, this aspect of news technologies is still being cautiously adopted by Albarka Radio, Bauchi lately. ; These Internet Protocol tools and application were significantly often being used by Albarka Radio, Bauchi as part of the newsgathering and transmission function in order to reach a more wider audience and listeners through their various online platforms and apps.; The effectiveness of the adoption of Internet tools in Albarka Radio, Bauchi was considered significantly fair and this means that there is room for improvement; There exist some level of challenges like poor broadband services and IT skills of reporters, paucity of funding and erratic nature of power supply being faced in the adoption of the internet tools as an additional process of newsgathering and transmission which negatively affects the effective utilization of these Internet platforms. The recommendation clearly stated that Internet tools is now the emerging phenomenon in newsgathering and transmission that has now made the news information, dissemination and broadcast more ubiquitous. The adoption of this platform into the newsgathering and broadcast processes by Albarka Radio, Bauchi is seen as a welcome development. However in the adoption stage, there are evident challenges of underutilization of this process in the Albarka Radio, Bauchi largely due to poor broadband services, Internet Infrastructure as well as low level information and communication technological skills of reporters. Based on this, it is pertinent for the Albarka Radio Network need to get better broadband facilities and infrastructure as well as employ, train and retrain media workers with new multitasking skills relevant to modern day newsgathering and transmission practices. In conclusion, The use of internet in newsrooms across the globe and here in Nigeria especially with Albarka Radio, Bauchi is fast becoming a common practice. With most stations now having their applications downloaded from google, apple and window stores to their mobile phones, desktops and laptops, newsgathering process especially the eye witness and amateur video content sources have increased the richness and reach of news sources to news stories and events as they develop.