ASSESSMENT OF THE PATRONAGE OF ONLINE NEWSPAPER AMONG MALE LECTURERS IN OSUN STATE POLYTECHNIC, IREE

This study examined the patronage of online newspapers among male lecturers at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, in response to the increasing shift from traditional print media to digital news platforms. The study was motivated by the growing importance of real-time, accessible, and multimedia-rich news in academic environments, especially among lecturers who require timely information for their teaching and research responsibilities. Guided by the Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study explored the extent of patronage, factors influencing preferences, and the academic and professional implications of online newspaper consumption. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to a randomly selected sample of 146 male lecturers, with 138 responses analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that online newspapers are widely patronized by male lecturers, primarily due to their ease of access, affordability, convenience, and real-time updates. Respondents reported that online newspapers serve not only as sources of general information but also as tools for academic enrichment, supporting lecture preparation, scholarly engagement, and awareness of national and global issues. However, challenges such as fake news, information overload, internet instability, and digital distractions were identified as barriers to optimal use. The study concludes that online newspapers play a crucial role in the professional lives of academic staff and recommends institutional support through improved digital infrastructure, training on critical media literacy, and collaboration between academic institutions and media houses to enhance content credibility and relevance. The findings contribute to the understanding of digital media consumption in academic settings and provide practical insights for media practitioners, educators, and policymakers.