Effects Of Graphics On Audience Patronage Of Punch Newspaper Among Residents Of Port Harcourt Metropolis

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM 

In recognition of the potency of graphics to attract the attention of readers and the aesthetics values to newspapers, publishers have continued to beautify and make their newspapers attractive by using graphics and attention catching graphics and colors particularly on the front page. The critical question here is, have these front page graphics (Graphics, color, masthead, headlines, fonts, typographies) increased the preference of the readers to a particular paper?

Graphics by nature tell a story as they attract human attention. They make communication easier and help to easily assimilate information. The truth still stands that one photograph is worth a thousand words. Possibly, graphics are the basics of high patronage of newspapers.  Therefore, there is no doubt about the fact that graphics especially graphics take two dimensions in newspapers, that is graphics tell the story or complement the story. It is important to realize that for information or graphics to have any substantial impact, influence and relevance on the readers, it depends on the type of graphics used on the front page of the newspaper. Nevertheless, newspapers are a ubiquitous feature of everyday life in urban Nigeria. At neighborhood markets and most major intersections, crowds gather every morning and afternoon to check out the lead stories with their graphics on the front-page of all the current newspapers that hang across the frames of the wooden kiosks. Top stories from the major newspapers are reported and analyzed on the morning shows of many television and radio stations. People who buy newspapers often look at the graphics communication and then read the story. 

This research tries to investigate effects of graphics on audience patronage of punch newspaper among residents of port harcourt metropolis

1.3 purpose of the Study

To examine effects of graphics on audience patronage of punch newspaper among residents of port harcourt metropolis

1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 

The objectives of the study are; 

1. To ascertain the event of graphics communication on patronage of newspapers? 

2. To assess whether graphics on the newspaper appropriate for readers

3. To evaluate ways graphics can enhance viewership

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 

1. Does the graphics communication affect the patronage of newspapers? 

2. Are the graphics on the newspaper appropriate for readers?

3. What ways can graphic enhance viewership?

1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study examines Punch Newspaper This newspaper is selected basically due to their large circulation and perceived credibility.