Traditional versus Online News Sources: A Comparative Study of News Consumption Preferences among Undergraduate Students of Universities in Kogi State
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Abstract
The advent of digital media has transformed news consumption patterns among university students; however, limited research exists on how Nigerian undergraduates compare traditional and online news sources. This study examined the news consumption preferences of undergraduate students in universities in Kogi State, focusing on commonly used sources, factors influencing platform choice, perceptions of credibility, and access challenges. Guided by the Uses and Gratifications Theory, a quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 380 respondents from three universities. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed through descriptive statistics. The findings revealed a strong preference for online news platforms, driven primarily by cost, instant access, and social-sharing capabilities. While students acknowledged the superior credibility of traditional media, they often neglected fact-checking online content. Major barriers included high internet data costs, poor network connectivity, and frequent power outages, which affected access to both traditional and digital news. The study concludes that digital transformation has fundamentally reshaped undergraduate news consumption, emphasising the need for media literacy programmes, enhanced digital strategies by traditional outlets, and improved infrastructure to support equitable access to credible information.
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