An Evaluation of Mass Media Influence on the Lifestyle of Youths
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objectives of this study are as follows;
- To ascertain whether youths have access to the mass media
- To evaluate the influence of the mass media on the lifestyle of youths in Warri Delta State.
- To find out the impact of the mass media on the educational standard of youths in Warri.
- To ascertain whether there’s a relationship between mass media and increase in social vices in the lifestyle of youths.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
MASS MEDIA
Mass media is a channel, medium, utility, device, or instrument used in the mass communication process. The mass media also includes, printed media, electronic media and cyber media. Printed media such as newspapers, magazines, books, pamphlets, billboards and other technical tools that bring out the message by touching the senses of sight. Electronic media such as radio and recorded programs use the senses of hearing and television programs, motion picture and video recording covering both senses which is hearing and vision (Blake, 2009). Meanwhile the online media (online media, cybermedia) is the internet-based mass media. Mass media is happen to be the suggestions for cultural development, not just culture in the sense of art and symbol but also in the sense of the development of settings, fashion, lifestyle and norms (Mc Quail, 1987).
MASS MEDIA AS TOOL FOR COMMUNICATION
Mass communication media as a communication tool to disseminate information and information to the world directly or indirectly. The phenomenon of globalization or the boundless world is an inevitable thing in line with the modernity of the world. The era globalization is capable of shaping human civilization whether it is or does not constitute a commonplace of life. Mass media is a tool used to convey information to the public and as well as the world of communication devices (Cangara, 2002). Communication media can be divided into three categories, first, interpersonal communication media, consisting of text, graphics, voice, music, animation, and video. Secondly, the storage media consisting of books and papers, cameras, recorders, and projectors, video recording equipment and so on. Then, transmission media, consisting of communication media, broadcasting media and network media (Buingin, 2005).
Ownership and Control of broad cast Media
Before the deregulation of 1992 by the Babangida administration, the broadcast media were solely owned and operated by federal and state governments. State governments established their stations to educate, inform and entertain their peoples, and actually did so during the Second Republic because they felt the National Television or the National Broadcasting Organisation existed to serve the interests and needs of the ruling party, by then the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) at the federal level, and in those states where the party was in control. According to Sambe (2008), other states administered by other political parties in opposition were either blacked out or given unfavorable coverage. Those who challenged this unorthodox form of democracy were told that the system of government that was being practised during this time meant “winner take all”
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 viz 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 constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
The aim of the study is to evaluate the influence of mass media on youth life style using Warri Metropolis as case study. Thus youth from the Warri metropolis 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, COCNLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
The main of the study is to examine the influence of mass media on youth life style using Warri Metropolis in Delta State as case study. The study ascertained whether youths have access to the mass media. It evaluated the influence of the mass media on the lifestyle of youths in Warri Delta State. It find out the impact of the mass media on the educational standard of youths in Warri. It ascertained whether there’s a relationship between mass media and increase in social vices in the lifestyle of youths.
Survey research design was employed for the study and with the convenience sampling the method, 80 participant was enrolled for the study of which 77 was validated for the study. The project employed the use of questionnaire to sources of data which is administered to the youth in Warri metropolis as well as personnel interview and observation while the collected data was analyzed using frequencies and tables.
CONCLUSION
Mass media network in today’s life is one of the platforms of information dissemination and communication convenience to shape, reinforce and maintain social ties from the whole world. However, mass media is also able to contribute negative impacts to some Youth especially for high school students through attitude and behavior changes. Transformation in the 21st century education system is holistic that emphasizes the mastery of computer usage, and the internet is very encouraging. However, these facilities are being misused by some Youth to accessing websites that are not suited to the scope of learning and teaching. Mass media should be a source of reference to the society, especially the adolescents. In fact, unknowingly, the influence of mass media entertainment is enjoyed by the community as opposed to the scope of learning and education available. Some of the available displays show that are contrary to eastern and Islamic values. Sexually element are also easily found through the mass media and pornographic materials on the website. Because of the influence, it creates an unethical and destructive Youth.
Findings from the study hence revealed that mass media have had a significant influence on the life style of youth in Warri metropolis in Delta State.
RECOMMENDATION
From the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made:
- That the media though could be a useful tool for disseminations of useful information and a useful tool for societal development, could also bring about social and moral decadence in the society if not properly managed and the educators, parents, community leaders, elites should also by this means help the youths confront the undignified and distorted images so prevalent in today media.
- media managers and practitioners should also act as gate-keepers whom should develop media content/messages based on our culture and locally accepted norms.
- Government should regulate the age at which certain young people are allowed to use the social media. This suggestion stems from the point that the youths admitted that they use the social media platforms to date. Sequel to this, government has to liaise with social media network providers to create an age barrier restricting Nigerian minors from using the social media until they attain a ripe age of reasoning as provided by the constitution of the country and her other relevant laws. This shall be instrumental toward forestalling pregnancy out of wedlock which is capable of truncating many a youth’s education and future in a country like Nigeria.
REFERENCE
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