A STUDY OF THE APPLICATION OF GATE-KEEPING CONCEPT IN AKWA IBOM STATE BROADCASTING CORPORATION (AKBC) NEWS BROADCAST

This study was concluded to evaluate the gate-keeping process of Akwa Ibom broadcasting corporation. It become necessary since news is an effective means of communication through which individuals are informed and educated about things in their environment. In light of this, therefore, the evaluation was to discover how objective the factors used in selecting and rejecting news are, in order to achieve the goals of the organization. To achieve the objectives of this study, the survey method was adopted. Six subjects selected from the news department of AKBC radio and television services responded to a seven item interview schedule designed by the researcher. Findings showed that gate-keeping processes of AKBC, were not effective, and that the organization, especially the news department were under much pressure form management and government. The station was seen as the ‘piper’ while the government was seen as the ‘player’ of the piper who dictates the tune. Individuals are not allowed to criticize the government and above all, only those with the economic means are allowed to have access to the media. The study concluded that the station ha snot been very successful in its methods of gate-keeping but recommended that the gatekeepers should be enlightened through the organization of seminars, symposia, lectures and workshops.