DIGITAL DIVIDE: SELF-PERCEPTION AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG JOURNALISTS WHO LACK INTERNET LITERACY IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the self-perception and coping strategies among journalists who lack Internet literacy in Anambra State. Situated within the framework of the technological determinism theory, the research was designed as a survey. A total of 47 journalists were purposively selected based on their lack of Internet literacy. A structured questionnaire was employed as the data collection tool. Findings indicated that the journalists in Anambra State who lack Internet literacy experience operational difficulties in gathering, writing, editing and filing their reports as a result of this. However, it was equally discovered that the majority of these journalists adopt certain survival strategies to circumvent these difficulties and these include dependence on Internet-literate colleagues; employment of services of cybercafoperators and handing over of their hardcopy reports to office for completion. The research further found that the journalists perceive their lack of Internet literacy as some form of deficiency particularly with reference to speed of operation, finesse and professional growth. However, it was discovered that the majority of the respondents are not taking the necessary steps to solve their Internet deficiency. The research concluded that this seeming inaction could be attributed to factors like economic handicap as a result of characteristically poor remuneration of the media practitioners and the fact that these journalists are somehow still finding ways to survive on the job. The study recommended, among others, that the curriculum of institutions where journalism and media studies are taught should include training on ICTs and how to apply them in the context of modern journalism.