The Impact of Reality TV Shows on Imo State University Students (A Case Study of Big Brother Nigeria)
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the level of viewership of Big Brother Nigeria among Imo State University students
- To find out the impact of Big Brother Nigeria on the academic performance of Imo State University students
- To know the attitudes and beliefs of Imo State University students towards the content of Big Brother Nigeria
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Meaning and Overview of Reality TV Show
Scholars have made tremendous inputs in the definition of reality TV shows. Such scholars include Roscoe (2001) and Malekoff (2005) which expressed that reality TV shows are programmes where real people are often placed in extraordinary situations and ever moment of their actions, in reaction to their surroundings is recorded. It is a genre of television programme in which real-life occurrences are transmitted unscripted. Usually, TV cast used for such programmes is unknown to the public. It is a type of television programme that document unscripted situations and actual occurrences, and often feature a cast previously unknown to the public. Roscoe (2001) notes that in reality TV shows, the conventional boundaries between fact and fiction, drama and documentary and the audience and the text are blurred. This genre of entertainment has become the latest fan-favourite, especially among youths the world over (Sack, 2003; Frisby, 2004; Howley, 2004 cited in Chikafa and Mateveke, 2012). This has gradually made inroads in Africa. Andrejevic (2004; 2005) and Kilborn (2003, cited in Biltereyst, 2004) agree that reality television is an umbrella term that encompasses “various factual television formats with a high reality claim; it stresses the actions and emotions of real people (non-actors), often using a combination of ‘authentic’ (e.g. police, security or surveillance images) and staged images (e.g. fictionalized reconstructions, post-faction interviews” (Chikafa & Mateveke, 2012). Reality television is significantly proving to be a favourite among the youth – particularly those who fall within the 18-25 age range (Chikafa & Mateveke, 2012). The due cited Baumagardner (2003), Brasch (2003) and Hitbrand (2004) saying that such TV shows that are hitherto exhibited in the United States and many Western countries have now flooded African TV stations with African versions of the American Fear Factor, The Biggest Loser and the American Idols. Nigeria also has The Gulder Ultimate search, the MTN Project Fame, Nigeria Got talents, GLO Naija Sings, Maltina Dance All, among others. Other African countries also have versions of these shows under different names. One of the biggest and perhaps the most popular reality TV shows in the African continent is the Big Brother Africa with an estimated viewership of more than forty million across Africa (http://www.bigbrotherafrica.com). The subject has continued to gain scholarly attention in recent times. Van Zoonen and Aslama (2006) had looked at the history of Big Brother, its significance to the media and how it derives strength from its generic hybridity. Andrejevic (2004) connects the technological innovations of Big Brother to the wider cultural work of ‘being watched’ and associates the surveillance culture to the popularity of Big Brother. Roscoe (2001) specifically notes that Big Brother is constructed around performance because cameras force the participants to perform for the audiences as well as the other housemates so as to avoid nomination. Roscoe also shows how Big Brother assumes its audience to be highly media literate and how adolescents and young adults seem to fit this category of audiences. All these play significant roles in debating the localization of Big Brother in Nigeria (Chikafa & Mateveke, 2012). The above mentioned studies show the global thrust of the Big Brother format as if to affirm that its localization to Africa is ill-fitting. Mano and Willems (2008; 2010, cited in Nwafor and Ezike, 2015) shed light on this aspect through the engagement of an identity debate in Big Brother by Diaspora audiences. Their study explores how Diaspora communities are represented in mainstream media and how they interpret, accept or challenge and interact on representations of themselves.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine the impact of reality TV show on Imo state University students. The study will be limited to Imo State university students. Imo State university students form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the impact of reality TV show on Imo state University students. The study will be limited to Imo State university students. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing an a the impact of reality TV show on Imo state University students. Summary
This study was on a the impact of reality TV show on Imo state University students. The study will be limited to Imo State university students. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the level of viewership of Big Brother Nigeria among Imo State University students, To find ot the impact of Big Brother Nigeria on academic performance of Imo State University students AND To know the attitudes and beliefs of Imo State University students towards the content of Big Brother Nigeria. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected students of Imo state University Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
Findings from the study apparently indicates that the students watch Big Brother Naij a reality TV show in order to ease themselves of some academic stress as the show also provides a means of relaxation to them. It is also evident that the show broadens their intellectual horizon as students through the show’s game puzzle. It showed that Big Brother Naija reality TV show promotes cultural integration through the exhibition of cultural attires by the house mates. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that the students are not negatively influenced by Big Brother Naija reality TV show despite their heavy followership/viewership. Even though they are heavily exposed to television, they do not dress indecently and are not influenced negatively by what they watch on the reality TV show. This invariably implies that the students are still very much conscious of moral values as they uphold and maintain them in high esteem.
Recommendation
Since reality TV shows (BBNaija), has large viewership among undergraduate students, television regulators should ensure that reality TV programmes aired on Nigerian television stations are those capable of impacting knowledge, positive skills and life styles of Nigerian youths.
It is recommended that the show reflect more educational content, Nigerian indigenous cultures and serve as a channel for transporting Nigerian and African cultures in its entirety to the outside world.
The researchers recommend that scriptwriters and film producers should develop the habit of writing films that can add values to the cultures of the viewers; they should see reality TV show as medium for cultural exchange where messages should be reasonable and positive to impact and influence the watchers positively.
References
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- Andyke.com (2019). Where is big brother Naija 2019 house located in Nigeria. https://andyke.com/2019/07/where-is-big-brother-naija-2019-house-located-innigeria.html
- Anolik, L. (February 2, 2016). “How the O.J. Simpson Case Explains Reality in 2016”. Vanity Fair.8,2019.hUps://www.mariaonline.us/electronics/ article.php?lg=; en&q=Realitv_television
- Ayarza, M. (2010). Reality television and its impact on women’s body image. Online thesis and dissertations Eastern Kentucky University Encompass. https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/50
- Chikafa, R. & Mateveke, P. (2012). The ‘Africa’ in Big Brother Africa: ‘Reality’ TV and African identity. https://www.academia.edu/2103540/The_Africa_in_Big_Brother_Africa_Reality_TV_an d_African_identity_by_Rosemary_Chikafa_and_Pauline _Mateveke.
- Ekhayeme, G. (201 l).The influence of television on famih institution in Nigeria. Online Nigeria: Elton John trashes Kim Kardashian, reality television”. The Improper. February 4. 2011. I thoroughly detest Big Brother Africa-Soyinka. (2013 July, 21) Daily Independent www.nigeriafllms.com
