The Role of Television on Educating the Public on the Preventive Measures Against the Spread of Corona Virus in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The study is set to examine the role of television on Educating the Public on the Preventive measures against the spread of corona virus in Nigeria. Specifically it is geared
- To examine the different measures to prevent the spread of corona virus
- To examine how television station educate people on the preventive measures against to spread of corona virus
- To examine the level of the involvement of television authorities on educating the masses about covid-19 preventive measures
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
Television
Television is defined as an audio-visual medium. It blends pictures with sound to produce a communication experience exhibited on the screen. It uses sound to explain the visuals presented on the screen. It addresses the emotion and intellect in a remarkable way (Owauamalam, 2007). Television expresses thought and emotions in an entertaining and pleasing manner by moving images in a specific way or pattern. The BBC English Dictionary (1992) defines television as “the system of pictures and distance so that people can receive them on a television set.
History of Television in Nigeria
The evolution of television in Nigeria followed a similar pattern as that of radio. The irony here is that while it was the Federal Government that started the first radio broadcasting station in the country, it was a regional government that first ventured into television broadcasting. On 11 October, 1959, the then Western Region sent out the first television signals in the whole of Nigeria and Africa (Sambe, 2008). The principal aim of establishing the Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) as was claimed by the proponents was to serve as surrogate teacher in improving the regional school systems that were handicapped by ill qualified teachers or a shortage of them in certain subject areas. The Eastern Regional Government followed by establishing its own station on October 1, 1960, the day Nigeria gained political independence from Britain. The aim was also for formal and non-formal education. But sooner or later, the aims were abandoned and the station, just like that of the West, became fully commercial.The Northern Regional Government established its own station and it came on air in April, 1962, as Radio-Television Kaduna (RTV Kaduna). Television stations were established in Nigeria with the ostensible reason of providing adequate services in education, and social and economic development. However, it was soon realised that they had gone commercial and depended heavily on foreign programmes. The establishment and running or managing television stations remained in the hands of federal and state governments until Decree No.38 of 1992 that deregulated broadcasting media and established the National Broadcasting Commission. This paved the way for private ownership of the electronic media of radio and television stations especially in the southern parts of the country.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
AREA OF STUDY
The Nigerian Television Authority or NTA is a Nigerian government-owned and partly commercial broadcaster. Originally known as Nigerian Television (NTV), it was inaugurated in 1977 with a monopoly on national television broadcasting, after a takeover of regional television stations by military governmental authorities in 1976. The NTA runs the largest television network in Nigeria with stations in several parts of the country. It is widely viewed as the “authentic voice” of the Nigerian government.
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.
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.
This study was carried out to examine the role of television on educating the public on the preventive measures against the spread of Corona Virus using NTA as a case study. Staffs of National Television Authority(NTA) Lagos form the population of the study.
Statics derived from the website of Nigeria Television Authority (Aba Branch) reveals that the total population of staff of NTA Lagos is 58.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
This chapter presents and analyze data collated from the field. 50 questionnaires was issued to respondent who are staffs of National Television Authority(NTA) Lagos. However 47 questionnaire was returned and validated for the Study.
From the demographic representation derived in the table above, 57% of the respondent are male. 43% of the respondent are female.63% of the respondent are Christian. 37% of the respondent are Muslim. 37% of the respondent are aged from 24-30years. 26% of the respondent are aged 32-38 years. 37% of the respondent are aged between 38years and above.
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
This chapter summarizes the findings into the role of television on educating the public on the preventative measures against the spread of Corona Virus using National Television Authority as a case study. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, recommendations and suggestions for further studies.
Summary Of Study
In this study, our focus was to examine the the role of television on Educating the Public on the Preventive measures against the spread of corona virus in Nigeria. It examined the different measures to prevent the spread of corona virus. It investigated how television station educate people on the preventive measures against to spread of corona virus. It examined the level of the involvement of television authorities on educating the masses about covid-19 preventive measures. The study adopted the survey research design and simple random sampling was used to select the respondent. A total of 47 responses was derived validated from staffs of National Television Authority(NTA) Lagos branch .
Conclusion
Base on the findings of the study, the researcher draw the following conclusions:
- The mass media is a powerful tool of communication during the outbreak of any any disease and during global heaalth crises.
- The way the television channel creates awareness about the ongoing corona Virus via jingles, interviews, discussions and talk programme can go a long in educating the public thereby reducing or curbing the spread of the novel disease.
- Choices of words, pictures and the language of the reporters and presenters on television is pivotal while educating the public on the global health crises. Thus there is need for television channels to take this social responsibility seriously.
- National Television Authority has in a high extent play a significant role in educating the public on the preventive measures as well as safety guidelines of corona virus which has helped individual to practice safe hygiene thereby reducing the spread of corona virus.
Recommendation
Given the findings of the study, the followings can be recommended:
- The NTA should maintain the tempo of daily awareness programme on “Corona Virus Disease” and improve in her efficiency.
- Other agencies and parastatals, both Governmental Organizations and Non – Governmental Organizations should enhance and sponsor awareness programmes of disease outbreaks in the country.
- Government should institute measures aimed at providing necessary uninterrupted power supply to the masses so at to enable them watch these programs on their television set.
- Good governance with good polices by federal Government is the most important medium government should use to reduce poverty. They should create employment opportunity; give assistance and aids for self investments as radical approaches to reducing poverty in the country so that at least each family can afford a television set.
- Government should sponsor seminars and workshops against any disease outbreak and risks in the country.
- Government should have the thought of the rural dwellers that are without electronic mass media when selecting medium of communication and as such they should employ other information means that will reach every nook and cranny of the target audience for more effective result.
REFERENCE
- Baran, S.J. and Davis, D.K. (2012). Mass communication theory: Foundations, Ferment, and Future. (6th edition). Wadsworth: Cengage Learning.
- Bozzi, H.E. (2013). The mass media and the information function. Journal of Media Studies. 2(1). 1-15.
- Chukwuma, O. (2012). Audience assessment of NTA and AIT reportage of crisis. Unpublished Master’s Thesis submitted to the Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
- Folarin, D., (2002) Theories of mass communication: an introductory text (3rd ed.). Ibadan: Bakinfol Publications
- GL Kreps and BC Thompson, (2005). The impact of communication on cancer risk, incidence, morbidity, mortality and quality of life. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12742767 ‘
- Liana, S., Wineth, M., and Lawrence, N., (1997) Living with television: The dynamics of the cultivation process. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (eds), Perspectives on media effects (pp. 17–40).
