International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Journalism is a profession that requires dedication, passion, and a strong work ethic in order to produce high-quality contents that inform and educate the public. In the context of public radio stations in Benue state, Nigeria, understanding the motivations that drive journalists to excel in their work is essential for ensuring the delivery of impartial and unbiased news coverage.
Objectives: To investigate the influence of motivations on the job output of journalists working in public radio stations in Benue state, Nigeria.
Methods: Descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study had a population of 86 journalists from Harvest FM and Radio Benue, Makurdi. Purposive sampling technique was adopted in selecting respondents from the two radio stations. Questionnaire and oral interview served as instrument for data collection. Generated data were analysed using frequency counts, tables, and percentages.
Results: Findings reveal that staff training and promotion were the types of motivations that influenced journalists’ productivity at the radio stations.
Conclusion: The study concludes ownership, censorship, corruption, greed, inadequate man-power and lack of up-to-date technology are other variables that limit job output of journalists in the two radio stations outside of material motivations. The study calls on managements of radio stations to invest in broadcast technologies and give more attention to incentives of workers to reduce corruption and greed and spur greater commitment for increased productivity of journalists in the stations.