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THE ROLE OF RADIO IN MOBILIZING WOMEN FOR POLITICS IN NIGERIA (PERIOD OF STUDY: 1961 – 2004)

ABSTRACT

No matter how plural a society may be, the radio should be the engineering force and vehicle for conveying political message to the women in the democratization process in which man is the pivot, it is with this background that the objectives of this study re-channeled towards metropolis for their participation in politics. The work examined factors such as medium, interpersonal communication, exposure objectivity and sycophancy to clear. Curtly determine the effective impact of the radio political news in mobilizing women in Enugu metropolis. Useful theories and the literature that constitute the basic framework of the study were examined. An empirical survey was carried out in four selected zones in Enugu metropolis. Data collected were analyzed in order to determine the effects of these factors on the efficacy of the radio political messages in mobilizing the women folk. Empirical evidence from findings revealed that the radio political information ha been the engineering mechanism in mobilizing women in Enugu metropolis, it wakes up their political opinion and attitude, it leads them to political opinion formation and although they did not see the news being non-objective but they indicated that the government and its agencies distort the news.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Radio is a vital force for social change through public enlightenment. It exists because people must communicate with one another. Communication is the activity by which people pursue the exchange of idea- an exchange that we pursue continuously throughout our lives. Basically, this exchange is an effort to influence the situations around us. In the light of the above the background of the study is designed to study the role, which the radio as a medium of exchange plays in mobilizing women in Enugu metropolis towards active participation in politics. 

Influencing people through communication is a mutual activity, that is why after considering other communication channels like television, interpersonal communication, traditional communication (rituals and festivals gongs, drums and rites) newspapers and magazines; and in view of how effective these channels could be used in performing the role of mobilizing of women in politics; its credibility is given to the radio in injecting political ideas and awareness into the blood stream of its market audience (women).

The newspaper and magazines for their non-transient features would have helped but it is found pretty difficult these days to be affordable by the average Nigeria. Women in the same vein find if financially tasking to spend their income in buying newspapers or magazines in the face of the present economic crunch plaguing the country (Nigeria) today. Hence, they resort to the radio for information acquisition. Also, the television due to its high cost is not easily affordable by every family.

Traditional communication is limited to the rural dwellers only. The urban-based women do not employ gongs and drums in dispersing information. It becomes pretty ineffective to use traditional communication. The women in urban centers (Enugu metropolis) have been socially developed and modern channels of disseminating information have been developed too. Therefore, they can tune to their various radio sets for information. Radio as being very vital in this case is due to its handy or portability which enables women to carry it about to their offices, business areas and so on, especially the transistor type.

Research embarked upon by Obiakalusi et al (1991) postulates that Nigerian political independence in 1960 had raised the hopes of many that the nation was being set towards achieving a free and fair democratic society. It is expected that the press as a whole and the radio in particular should be the market place of political ideas suffice it to say that the radio exists to serve the information needs of the citizenry in politics.

According to Edelstain in his 1974 study about audiences concluded that the audience evaluated sources of information not in terms of the sources credibility, newspaper in terms of content, television in breadth of perception and radio in availability. The radio, therefore, is readily available and handy to the women.

Another issue of reference is Akpan (1985) mass communication in Nigeria Book of reading eg (Nwuneli) says that the publics entitled to all facts in a political situation and that on the basis of these facts; it can make its decisions. However, these women being informed about political news tend to revent to political interest.

Also Noelle Neuman (1985) introduction to mass communication: Agea, Warren, Kenda) says that ‘real life’ is different from laboratory controlled studies; the media are so ambiguities that it is difficult for a person to escape a message, repetitive messages have reinforced impact; and news stories are so much the same that there are few options for selective perception. However, the media for its agenda-setting role and using radio to disseminate information repeatedly about politics, these women tend to be influenced by listening to this repetitive political message. Hence, develop a proclivity for politics.

Again, Agee, Warren Kendal (1985) also postulate that radio for its special role as a mobilization channel, made American listeners to feel the brutal impact of Hitler’s invasion when Hitler demands against background of historical oratory and Frenzied Nazi Crowd reaction. American were graved when they heard murrow described war preparation in London, relieved when Katlendon predicted that Chamberlain Daladier, Muslim and Hitler would find a peace solution at Munich. However it was radio that brought to them this sense of personal participation in what they described was the world’s crisis not merely Europe’s.

The broadcast media as technological devices of mass communication are established to inform, entertain and educate. These three basic functions are vital in the democratization process of any nation whether in a homogeneous or plural society. Therefore, the radio providing entertainment to its audience especially women in Enugu metropolis sneaks in political messages to its listeners while it is entertaining them.

The broadcast media in a democratic setting are the conscience of the nation, the radio especially initiate, sustain and reinforce democracy. As an information channel, it informs the audience about politics in which women from part. Also, for its educational function the FRCN Enugu has mapped out programme time sponsored by Mrs. Florence Ejoor (chairperson Abia state family support programme) to educate them not to shy away from politics, but rather to come out enemas to compete with their male counterparts.

Mr. Fedelis Ojielo of ESBS, a commentary writer states that radio, as one of the electronic media has remained one of the greatest legacies of post independence in Nigeria. It uses and impacts in public administration political enlightenment and general development, which have made it an indispensable tool of information management and mobilization.

He also postulates that from the inception of radio in Nigeria, more than 45 years ago, it was obvious that government had a clear vision of establishing more radio stations in different parts of the country basically for information purposes, especially in engineering women in active participation in politics.

The setting up of WNBC in Ibadan in 1958 and ENBC in Enugu 1960 awakened the socio-political consciousness of people especially the women. The importance of the radio also made the Enugu state broadcasting services (ESBS) to introduce a political programme tagged “women in politics” which was aimed at mobilizing women in active participation in politics.

In line with the above, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (1965) said that women should be informed about the political situation in the country and the need for them to participate in politics. The radio, if skill-fully used could become a very powerful means of reaching the audience specially the women.

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