Information needs of Newspaper Journalists in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The principal purpose of this paper is to identify the information needs of the Newspaper Journalists in Sri Lanka.The other objectives are to examine the sources of information they use and to investigate the type of libraries they use for getting information. The survey research design used and the population are the newspaper journalists in Sri Lanka and the sample selected using hundred newspaper journalists. Majority of newspaper journalists preferred to use political information, health, education and the information related to the gender respectively. Majority used newspapers, books, newspaper cuttings, internet and audio visual media as a sources obtaining information correspondingly. 58% used their institution libraries they work and second position got their use of personal libraries. The general standard and norm is that the journalist should be more versatile and be knowledgeable not only with a particular area of his or her interest but with other subject areas not limiting to a minor area in the sense that the newspaper journalists should possess wider knowledge, experience and competencies. This will enable the newspaper journalists to offer quality service for the newspaper reading communities. On the other hand, this kind of soundness will help to develop a newspaper journalist an all-rounder, socially recognized persons and enable to serve the readers. This will support for the professionalism in newspaper journalists.