AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PERCEPTION OF DAILY SUN NEWSPAPER CARTOONS AMONG STUDENTS OF AKWA IBOM STATE POLYTECHNIC, IKOT OSURUA

This study examines the perception of Daily Sun Newspaper cartoons among students of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua. Cartoons serve as an important visual communication tool in newspapers, combining images and symbols to convey messages, opinions, and social commentary. Despite their relevance, cartoons are sometimes misunderstood or regarded merely as entertainment. The study adopted the survey research method, with questionnaires used to collect data from selected students of the Polytechnic. The objectives were to determine students’ readership of Daily Sun cartoons, their level of understanding, frequency of exposure, and overall perception of cartoon messages. Findings from the study revealed that a significant number of students read Daily Sun Newspaper cartoons and are frequently exposed to them. The study also showed that while many students understand the messages conveyed through cartoons, others experience difficulties interpreting cartoons without captions. Overall, students perceive newspaper cartoons as informative, entertaining, and useful for social awareness. The study concludes that newspaper cartoons play a vital role in mass communication and recommends that cartoonists adopt clearer illustrations and culturally relevant symbols to enhance audience understanding, especially among students.