THE INFLUENCE OF FRONT-PAGE PHOTOGRAPHS ON THE READERSHIP AND PATRONAGE OF NEWSPAPERS: A SURVEY OF ASHANTI REGIONAL MINISTRIES AND DEPARTMENT

Abstract

The study was sought to find out the influence of front-page photographs on the readership and patronage of newspapers. The study employed quantitative research methods using questionnaires for gathering data. It surveyed seven Ghanaian newspapers, two state-owned and five private owned. The population of the study entailed seven ministries and departments in the Ashanti Region, Kumasi. In selecting the respondents for the study, the non-probability sampling method was adopted. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was used for the analysis. The data was interpreted in frequencies, usually communicated with tables, bar and pie charts as deemed appropriate. According to the study, it was discovered that a greater percentage of civil servants read newspapers and are attracted by the front page photographs which enthused them to read further. Again, the majority of the respondents buy newspapers because of the close-up shot type of photographs and also, majority of the respondents said the front page photographs have some relevance to the content of the newspaper.