Audience perception of the relevance of 21st century newspapers in the coverage of environmental news in Kenya

Abstract This research aims to explore the audience’s perception of the pertinence of print media as science instructors in the era of new media, social media, and the Internet. It seeks to establish the preferred media by audiences to satisfy their scientific information requirements in the 21st century. The study employs a qualitative research method, utilizing a case study research design with purposive sampling of (N-30) participants. Data were collected through an in-depth interview and analyzed using thematic analysis. The study findings indicate that the public acquired scientific and science-related information from different media platforms, including the Internet and social media. Nonetheless, print media remains the preferred source of science-related news and information among Nakuru Town residents, given its reliability and credibility. Additionally, the research revealed that participants selectively engage with specific sections of newspapers that capture their interests. Ultimately, the study concludes that current newspapers remain science mentors to the Kenyan population. Further research is required to elucidate the link between online scientific information sources and the public's views and comprehension of environmental concerns. These findings will be useful to media scholars as reference points for further research. This study draws on the uses and gratification theory. Key Words: Print Media, New Media, Newspapers, Science Teacher, Uses & Gratification Theory. About the Author * Otieno Michael Otieno, ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4654-5802, is a Master of Arts student in Journalism and Mass Communication in the Department of Literature, Languages and Linguistics, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Egerton University, Kenya. His research interests revolve around Environmental Journalism and Climate Change Communication, Social Media and New Media, and the intricate relationship between Journalism, Human Rights, and Social Justice. JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 16, No. 2, October 2024, pp. 115-128 © Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON). Article Citation Otieno, O. M. (2024). Audience perception of the relevance of 21st century newspapers in the coverage of environmental news in Kenya. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 16 (2): 115-128. Full Article Words: 8,638 Pages: 14 To access full article, click on download.