This research contributes to the study of the journalism by analysing the changes in journalistic practice and news production as a result of digital media and the implications thereof. I critically analyse the role of digital media on news production and journalistic practices and argue that the rise of digital media has significantly changed the roles, practices and structures of the journalistic profession in Nigeria. I also argue that these changes require a practice centred approach to explore changes in perceptions of identity and journalistic labour; attitude towards multi-skilling, working conditions of journalists and the commercialisation of news which have the potential to compromise journalistic performance and the news they produce. A proposed combined approach of Pierre Bourdieu’s Field theory and Howard Becker’s Social Worlds was used. I support Dickinson’s argument that the meso-level analysis offered by field research requires the micro-level analysis of the news world to present a “socially situated, empirically grounded and contextually located” analysis of journalists’ adoption/appropriation of media technologies. To this end, the combined approach provides a more rounded understanding of journalism and news production in Nigeria by presenting a contextual understanding of the socio-cultural and political economic context that shape to the changes that are occurring in the newsrooms in Nigeria. Empirical evidence is drawn from five media organisations in Nigeria (Guardian newspapers, ThisDay, Vanguard, Channels TV and Nigeria Television Authority) to examine these from the perception of journalists. It also argues that the adoption of particular technologies is “socially and culturally determined” and understanding these nuances would contribute to the broader debates on news production and journalism.

Thesis (MTech (Human Resource Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011 / As global and national markets become more competitive, businesses are forced to become more adaptable and the public service is by no means exempt from this phenomenon. Owing to a dynamic and ever-changing work environment, it is necessary for public servant employees to continuously update their knowledge and skills. However, in most organisations, the impact of training and development programmes are undermined. The value placed on increasing knowledge and skills is limited to attending a training programme. As a result, the newly acquired information and competencies are very seldom transferred from the classroom to the workplace and without a definite increase in performance and in service delivery; the contribution of actual learning is questionable. This research study therefore uses the Integrated Integrated Human Resource Administration and Persal (IHRAP) Programme (presented by the Western Cape Provincial Training Institute) to gauge the importance of post training evaluation and the benefits that can be derived from it, both for the department and the employee. In addition, the study evaluates whether the participants of the training programme are able to apply concepts and techniques learned in the classroom. It focuses specifically on human resource employees employed within the Provincial Government of the Western Cape, who is responsible for performing a number of different human resource functions. A survey was conducted amongst the participants of the IHRAP programme using a research questionnaire. After the results of the survey were collected and analysed, the researcher was able to determine where there were gaps in the post training evaluation process. Several recommendations are made to bridge these gaps and in doing so, enable the training programme to have a greater impact on the participants and in the workplace. In addition to evaluating the IHRAP programme, the need for continuous improvement in skills will always be essential, but departments must create the opportunities for participants to exercise these acquired skills effectively.