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AN ASSESSMENT OF THE BROADCAST MEDIA IN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILD LABOUR AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN NIGERIA

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Child labour and human trafficking are two interrelated issues rampant in Nigeria, with children being the most affected (Abiodun et al., 2021). In recent years, many campaigns have been implemented to reduce these practices in Nigeria (Olayiwola, 2019). The campaign against child labour and human trafficking in Nigeria had broadcast media as one of its strategies. The media in Nigeria has been regarded as one of the most effective and efficient tools for influencing public opinion (Talabi et al., 2022). However, there are conflicting views about the effectiveness of broadcast media in the campaign against child labour and human trafficking in Nigeria (Ifeoma et al., 2019; Omeonu et al., 2020). Some stakeholders have, therefore, called for more enlightenment on the role of the broadcast media in this campaign. While the media houses in Nigeria, which form part of the broadcast media, have carried out several campaigns against child labour and human trafficking that have resulted in the rescue of several children victims and the prosecution of some perpetrators, they are yet to do more to end this social menace (Olayiwola, 2019). According to Sasaki (2012),  many international organisations such as Human Rights Watch and Anti-Slavery International have placed pressure on the media houses to rise to their responsibility and do more to achieve what they set out to do by broadcasting the campaigns they organised against child labour and human trafficking. The campaign against child labour and human trafficking in Nigeria has received global recognition from through United Nations and several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) (Nwogu, 2014). However, it is still facing enormous challenges because of the failure to monitor the level of child labour activities in the country and the poor management of child labour programs implemented by the government at different levels.

Additionally, this research aims to see what methods (factual or fictional) were employed by different actors (individuals, corporations, NGOs) when discussing child labour and human trafficking. Were they using factual language or drawing on metaphors and other literary devices? Also, the analysis will examine whether the broadcast media has talked about any initiatives taken by businesses to prevent child labour. Have any companies come out supporting campaigns against child labour through advertising campaigns? Or offering discounts to customers who purchase products made without child labour? Which specific steps did they take? Did those steps cause significant changes in the way Nigerians think about child labour? Did it change their behaviours? Why or why not? Finally, the study will analyse whether any similar studies are done elsewhere and try to conclude those studies.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Recently, child labour and human trafficking have become increasingly prevalent problems in Nigeria (Abiodun et al., 2021). While the Nigerian government has tried to address these issues, more must be done. One area lacking is a comprehensive assessment of the broadcast media's role in the campaign against child labour and human trafficking (Omeonu et al., 2020). As a result, public awareness must be raised nationally for this issue to be adequately addressed. Many misconceptions about child labour and human trafficking need to be eliminated or changed through information provided by mass media. These misconceptions include blaming parents for children's involvement in these activities and assuming that poverty causes people to commit such crimes (Browne-James et al., 2021).

1.3 Purpose of the Study

This study seeks to assess the effectiveness of the broadcast media in Nigeria's fight against these two problems. Specifically, this study examines how much coverage the issue receives on television and radio, who are interviewed about it (specifical experts on the subject), how frequently it is discussed or reported on by journalists in each medium, and its portrayal through photos and video clips. It also aims to understand how much exposure the problem receives through different channels, which may be useful for developing a strategy for tackling child labour and human trafficking at a national level.

1.3.1 Objectives

The objectives of this study are to determine:

The extent to which broadcast media has been effective in raising awareness about child labour and human trafficking; The challenges faced by broadcast media in the campaign against these problems; and Suggestions on how to improve the effectiveness of broadcast media in future campaigns.

1.4 Significance of the Study

This study seeks to fill this gap by assessing the impact of the broadcast media on public knowledge and attitudes about child labour and human trafficking in Nigeria. It also evaluates how a popular social campaign can affect Nigerian attitudes, perceptions, and behaviour towards such issues. The results from this study will help improve future policies related to social campaigns against child labour and human trafficking and aid policymakers in understanding how broadcast media is used for advocacy purposes. The findings may also be useful for journalists who want to use broadcast media for their work effectively. In addition, other scholars working with policy research might find these findings helpful when developing or evaluating social interventions or programmes related to these issues.

1.5 Theoretical Framework

The study will adopt the media system dependency theory, which posits that society depends on the media for information and that there is a relationship between the media and other social institutions (Jung, 2017). The theory was formulated by Maxwell McCombs and Donald Shaw in their book, The Agenda-Setting Function of Mass Media. Yvonne Zimmerman has further developed the theory in her book, Mass Media Dependency Theory: A Systematic Study (Jung, 2017). The theory will assess how effective the broadcast media has been in Nigeria's campaign against child labour and human trafficking. It will involve an assessment of the coverage given to this issue as well as how this issue is framed within the coverage. For example, are children portrayed as victims or criminals? Several indicators within the public sphere can help identify whether or not it is successful in its efforts. These include protests against child labour; increases in education and awareness programmes among citizens about child labour and human trafficking; increased awareness about these issues among government officials at all levels; increased prosecution and conviction rates for offenders; increased protection services for victims of these crimes such as temporary shelters, legal assistance, medical attention; and increasing reporting from survivors or witnesses about their abuse (Okpa et al., 2021). The study will examine what the media says about people who engage in child labour, like if they give details of their stories and their reasons for doing so. It will also look at how adults talk about children who engage in such activities.

1.6 Research Questions

What is the role of broadcast media in campaigning against child labour and human trafficking? How effective has the broadcast media been in campaigning against child labour and human trafficking? What challenges do broadcast media face when campaigning against child labour and human trafficking?  What is the reach of the broadcast media campaign against child labour and human trafficking in Nigeria?; What are the key messages of the broadcast media campaign against child labour and human trafficking in Nigeria? What are some recommendations for improving the effectiveness of future campaigns?

1.7 Limitation

The study was limited to broadcast media only. Other forms of media, such as print and social media, were not included in the scope of this research. Additionally, only four states in Nigeria were studied. The results of this research may not be representative of the entire country. Furthermore, the study relied on self-reported data from participants. Data were only collected through interviews, and there was no control group to compare findings; also, Survey participants were not randomly selected. It is possible that some respondents did not answer truthfully or accurately due to fear of reprisal or social desirability bias. Data were collected during a period that differed from when the event occurred (i.e., data collection took place during June and July while awareness-raising activities took place between January and March). Finally, the study was conducted during political unrest in Nigeria. This may have influenced the results, as people may have been less likely to speak out against child labour and human trafficking during this time.

1.8 Delimitation

The delimitation of this study is on the assessment of the broadcast media in the campaign against child labour and human trafficking in Nigeria. The study will x-ray how effectively the use of broadcast media has created awareness about child labour and human trafficking to curb the menace. The study will be limited to public service announcements (PSAs) by government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs), faith-based organisations (FBOs), and international organisations (IOs) that were aired on television and radio between January 2019 and August 2022. Data will be sourced from the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), and other private stations.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Broadcast: Broadcasting is the act of transmitting audio or video content over a distance for communication. The term can refer to either the equipment used to achieve this or the act itself.

Media: The media is a vast array of communication outlets, including television, radio, the Internet, newspapers, magazines, and more. The media plays an important role in society as it helps to inform the public about current events and issues. The media can raise awareness about important issues such as child labour and human trafficking.

Campaign: A campaign is a set of organised activities, such as giving speeches in public and demonstrating, that are aimed at achieving a social, commercial or political purpose.

Trafficking: Trafficking is the act of recruiting, transferring, transporting, harbouring, or receiving a person to exploit them in any manner, including but not limited to slavery, sexual exploitation, or forced labour.

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