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AN EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF BROADCAST MEDIA ON THE MORAL UPBRINGING OF NIGERIAN CHILDREN

ABSTRACT

The crux of this study was on the evaluation of the broadcast media on moral upbringing of Nigerian children. The ultimate aim was to ascertain the extent at which the broadcast media can influence the inculcation of morals on children, and the level of influence the media exert on the moral education of a child. The researcher adopted the survey research method in carrying out this study. Questionnaire was constructed and administered to the sample of the study. This was used to generate data. The data analysis was done using percentages, table, frequencies, and the chi-square formula. From the data analyzed, it was discovered that the broadcast media has so much influence on people. And that the media offer both positive and negative sides as it concerns moral values. Part of the recommendations of this study is that there should be careful selection of the news items, programmes, information, advertisements for goods and services while the child, or indeed the general public, are exposed to, and as well as scheduling of appropriate time for different programmes and items for audio consumption of the child and the general public.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  Background of the Study

The mass media-radio, television, newspaper and magazine reach large numbers of people through communication and entertainment, and have been found as a useful tool for influencing the public. Information network allow private individuals to get information and to communicate directly with one another (Schiller, 199:186). Although mass media especially the broadcast media have a distinct presence in our homes today-providing us with a wealth of information on a multitude of channels-they are equally well especially well established as parts of the social structures and world of values around us.

The broadcast media have become probably the most important social institution in the construction and circulation of information in any modern society. The broadcast media permeate our daily lives. They serve as the main source of information concerning our social, cultural and political processes. Also, they are veritable reservior of image suggestions concerning modes of self preservation and general life styles. Media scientists have often discussed how much influence the media has on people’s opinions, behavior and attitude. People tend to selectively read what they already agree with and to rationalize their preferred opinions in the face of contrary arguments. Experimental evidence seems to indication that the mass media have little power to change people’s opinions on issues for which they already have formed a strong opinion, but they have a profound influence when it comes to setting the agenda and priming people on new issues.

The mass media especially the broadcast media play influential role on modern society. The Nigerian population including children relies on the broadcast media as the main source of information and the basis on which they form certain habits and behavior. According to cultural selection theory, any selection of messages in the media will thus have a profound effect on the entire society. The broadcast media seems to be the most important channel for the propagation of culture, ideas, and opinions; and also play vital role in shaping people’s attitude and bringing conformity to some kind of lifestyle which determine the informed decisions of people. Most opinion formation takes place when people sit and watch or read news and articles on the media.

Looking at the cultural selection in the electronic information society, it would be observed that the selection lies in the choice between TV channels. Millions of viewers sit comfortably zapping between action films, revivalist preachers, and commercials for a new fragrance, hardly realizing that by choosing which cultural influence they expose themselves to, they also chose their cultural and moral disposition and destinies.

Good moral upbringing is an asset which any wise society and/ or individual wishes to inculcate in children and the wider members of the society. The broadcast media could be applied effectively in the moral upbringing of children and the sanity of all in the society. This responsibility is a duty which patriotic citizens, mass media practitioners as well as well-meaning individuals owe the human society, especially Nigerian society where ideological riots, mental infant and attitudinal decadence are evident. Indeed, the broadcast media have been identified to be so powerful and attributed to have so much influence on the people. This study tends to specifically appraise the broadcast media on the moral upbringing of Nigerian children.

1.2  Statement of the Research Problem

The power of the media in shaping the view and perception of the people and determining their moral instincts is very glaring. The mass media especially the broadcast media have the capability of making the public to act in a certain way and adopt certain attitudes or behavior. The broadcast media are also perceived as the most crucial channels for the propagation of cultural, ideas, and opinions, as well as shaping the moral values of the people in the society. Most opinion formation takes place when people listen and watch news and debates on radio and television. Therefore, the problem of this study is so ascertain categorically, how the broadcast media influence the moral upbringing of children in Nigerian society.

1.3  Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of broadcast media on the moral upbringing of Nigerian children with a focus on the residents of Enugu metropolis.

The specific objectives of this study include:

i.            To ascertain the level of influence broadcast media content have on the moral upbringing of Nigerian children.

ii.            To determine the extent broadcast media content shape the moral values of children residents in Enugu metropolis.

iii.            To ascertain whether well designed broadcast media programs have positive influence on the moral upbringing of Nigerian children.

iv.            To determine whether there is any relationship between broadcast media programmes and positive moral upbringing of Nigerian children.

1.4  Research Question

In pursuance of the objectives of this study, the following research questions were posed to guide the study:

i.            What level of influence does broadcast media content have on the moral upbringing of Nigerian children?

ii.            To what extent does broadcast media content shape the moral values of children resident in Enugu metropolis?

iii.            Do well designed broadcast media programmes, have positive influence on the moral upbringing of Nigerian children?

iv.             What is the relationship between broadcast media prograammes and positive moral upbringing of Nigerian children?

1.5  Research Hypotheses

The following hypotheses were formulated to guide the study:

Hypothesis One

H0: broadcast media content do not have enormous influence on the moral upbringing of Nigerian children.

H1: Broadcast media content have enormous influence on the moral upbringing of Nigerian children.

Hypothesis Two

H0: To a minimal extent, broadcast media content shape the moral values of children resident in Enugu metropolis.

H1: To a large extent, broadcast media content shape the moral values of children resident in Enugu metropolis.

Hypotheses Three

H0: Well designed broadcast media programmes do not have positive influence on the moral upbringing of Nigerian children.

H1: Well designed broadcast media programmes have positive influence on the moral upbringing of Nigerian children.

Hypotheses Four

H0: There is no significant relationship between broadcast media programmes and positive moral upbringing of Nigerian children.

H1: There is significant relationship between broadcast media programmes and positive moral upbringing of Nigerian children.

1.6  Significance of the Study

The study is a significance endeavour in explaining the concept of good and proper child upbringing. It will provide the modalities for families to know the aspect of broadcast media exposure that will endanger good morals in children. This will help to create positive influence on Nigerian children, as media owners and operators well gear efforts at designing broadcast media contents that will improve moral upbringing of kids in society.

This study will be of great benefit to the modern society through families. It will provide the family in particular and the society in general with the selective processes needed for proper media exposure of children as to enhance the inculcation of good morals in them.

It will help the mass media to use its arsenal of powerful influence to project programmes targeted at children and barrage them with contents capable of improving their moral values. This will help to prevent unnecessary acculturation from the media that is capable of exposing children to moral decadence.

Finally, the outcome of this study would serve as a veritable reference material for scholars and students of broadcast journalism, as not much of this kind of research work has been done in Nigeria.

1.7  Scope of the Study

This study focuses on the, evaluation of the influence of broadcast media on the moral upbringing of Nigerian children with kids resident in Enugu metropolis. The study characteristics are contingent on the residents of Enugu metropolis. These residents will be used as the sample on which the people’s view on how the broadcast media influence children’s moral upbringing will be determined.

1.8  Limitations of the Study

This study could have covered a wider area, but was constrained by finance and time. Due to financial constraints, the researcher was not able to cover a wider scope.

The time limit for the completion of this work is also a limitation to it. Additionally, the researcher combined this study with other academic activities-lectures, assignments, practical’s etc. This hindered the researcher from fully concentrating on the study.

In spite of the aforementioned constraining factors, the researcher made concerted effort to ensure that these constraints did not hamper the results of the study.

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