AKSU Journal of Communication Research (AJCR)

GENDER DISPARITY AND ONLINE NEWSPAPER READERSHIP AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Author:  Sunday Jessie ANTAI, Bassey Esuk Bassey, PhD & Prof. Church Akpan

Abstract
This study examined the disparity between online newspaper reading habits of male and female civil servants in Akwa Ibom State. The objectives of this study included: to find out the level of awareness of online newspapers among civil servants in Akwa Ibom State; to ascertain the extent of readership of online newspapers among male and female civil servants in Akwa Ibom State and also determine whether the male civil servants read online newspapers more than their female counterparts in Akwa Ibom State. The adopted the survey research design using the questionnaire instrument for data gathering.The population of the study was 11,643, and relying on Krejcie & Morgan (1970), a sample size of 370 was selected from the population. Technological Determinism and Uses and Gratifications Media theories underpinned the study. Findings showed that a total of 327 respondents accounting for 91.6% agreed on the awareness of online newspapers among civil servants in Akwa Ibom State. The study revealed that 66.6% of the respondents agreed that male civil servants read online newspapers more than their female counterparts while the female civil servants (72.6%) preferred reading online newspapers for entertainment and fashion news. The study recommends that the Akwa Ibom State Government should by way of advocacy narrow the awareness and frequency gaps between its male and female officers among others.