In order for the information,
education and communication to be assured in rural areas, this chapter stated
clearly that there is need for rural journalism. Beyond the poor physical development
of the rural area is the problem of ignorance. The rural person needs to be empowered
with knowledge of the fundamentals of population and development.
If he doesn’t
have basic knowledge about modern family needs, responsible parenthood,
nutrition, child abuse, community integration, qualitative education,
inoculation, women rights, child rights and other imperatives of modern
society, he becomes a nuisance to the development effort. Rural news and features play great
roles in the educating, mobilizing, integrating, unifying the rural dweller and
development of their communities.
RURAL PRESS AS AGENT OF DEVELOPMENT:
GAINS AND CHALLENGES.
The
rural press is indispensable tool for rural emancipation, education,
mobilization, entertainment and development. They have the capacity to
contribute socially, economically and politically to the hinterlands. Their
patronage in Nigeria is encouraging, but they are grossly inadequate in terms
of numbers to address the information needs of the society.
The
problems of rural press in Nigeria include the following:
·
Illiteracy.
·
Lack of adequate
and competent personnel.
·
Threats to
personnel safty.
·
Illiteracy and
language problems.
·
Lack of advert
support.
·
Sycophancy.
·
Sensationalism.
·
Timelenessness.
·
Politicization.
·
Identity.
·
Late and
irregular arrival.