TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title
page…………………………………………………………………………………i
Declaration
…………………………………………………………………………..…ii
Certification
…………………………………………………………………………….iii
Dedication
………………………………………………………………………………iv
Acknowledgements
……………………………………………………..………………v
Abstract
………………………………………………………………..……………….vi
CHAPTER
ONE: Introduction
1.1
Background to the study…………………………………………………………1
1.2 Statement
of Research Problem………………………………………………….5
1.3 Objectives of study ……………………………………………………………6
1.4
Research Questions ……………………………………………………………6
1.5
Significance of study ……………………………………………………………7
1.6
Scope of the Study ……………………………………………………………7
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms………………………..…………………….7
CHAPTER
TWO: Theoretical Framework Literature Review
2.2 Theoretical Framework……………………………………………………………9
2.3 Conceptual Review……………………………………………………………….15
2.4 Empirical Review…………………………………………………………………37
CHAPTER THREE: Method
of Study
3.1 Research Method…………………………………………………………………41
3.2 Population of Study …………………………………………………………..…41
3.3 Sample Size and Sampling Technique…………………………………42
3.4 Research Instrument ……………………………………………………………..43
3.5 Validity of the Research Instrument ……………………………….43
3.6 Reliability of the Research Instrument…………………………..43
3.7 Method of Administration of the Research Instrument…………44
3.8 Method of Data Analysis………………………………………………………..44
CHAPTER FOUR: Data
Analysis and Results
4.1 Field Performance of the Research Instrument ……………………45
4.2 Analyses of Data on the Research Questions…………………………………..45
4.3 Summary of Major Findings
………………………………………………………..55
4.4 Discussion of Findings………………………………………………………………56
CHAPTER
FIVE: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
5.1 Limitations of Study……………………………………………………………..58
5.2 Summary…………………………………………………………………………59
5.3 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………….60
5.4 Recommendations………………………………………………………………..61
Reference
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception of audience towards political news coverage on television with focus on AIT and NTA Ilorin. Four research questions were posed to guide this study. The Agenda setting and Perception theory constituted the theoretical framework for this study. Residents of Ilorin metropolis were sampled for the research. This study adopted questionnaire survey as its data gathering method. The researcher adopted the multistage sampling technique. Out of the five selected local government areas in Ilorin metropolis, Simple random sampling technique (Ballot method), was used to select two wards each from each local government. Also, 250 copies of questionnaire were administered to residents of Ilorin metropolis for the questionnaire survey. The findings showed that residents of Ilorin metropolis are highly exposed to political information through constant exposure to news coverage on NTA/AIT Ilorin. Also, it was established that residents in Ilorin metropolis has a positive attitude towards political news coverage on NTA and AIT Ilorin because both stations give adequate attention on coverage of political news than other news. Furthermore, this study showed that residents in Ilorin metropolis have perceived that NTA & AIT Ilorin gives more frequency to coverage of political news than other news. However, this study established that political news coverage influences the political behavior of citizen because it promotes participatory politics in the democratic process by influencing their choice of voting in an electoral process. Therefore, the researcher recommended that media organizations and press bodies should organize seminars and workshops to sensitize and educate journalists on the significance and effects of news content especially when covering political and conflict news programmes in other to improve their skills and professionalism. Also, the researcher recommended that the media houses should ensure that contents of their news are absolutely free from bias, factual and relevant to the larger society.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the study
Onyebuchi (2012), asserts that in this era of digital technology and globalization of communication, the media have crucial role to play in creating awareness and giving first class information to the populace on issues emanating from the society and governance by their elected leaders. Research has shown that successful countries are rated on how well organized their system of government and political system affects their citizens’ standard of living, Onyebuchi (2012: 12).
The way and manner a society is governed
directly or indirectly reflects on the behavioural pattern and perception of
its citizens. Agbo (2013), noted that in a democratic society, the media
especially the television station is one of the major sources of communication
between the government and its citizen. Agbo (2013: 16), also asserts that the
media through the television stations disseminate information, news items,
transmit political programmes, developmental projects and pitfalls of the
various arms of government in a particular country.
According to Akpan (2012: 16), private
owned television stations such as Africa Independent Television (AIT) have been
known for disseminating news and information related to politics and major
happenings in the political industries around the world. Hence, there is close
relationship between communicating political news and other political related
news contents. Akpan (2012), added that viewers not only listen to news, they
also analyse, select, make comments, give opinions and share comments on how
they perceive media effects on politics generally.
In order to establish a robust and information rich society, adequate communication is necessary and a media house that has distinguished itself will definitely excel especially in the present political juggernaut around the world. AIT is a subsidiary of DAAR Communications Plc which was established in 1994 by Chief Aleogho Dokpesi. DAAR Communications Plc is the foremost Independent Broadcast Organization in the Federal Republic of Nigeria pioneering private/independent broadcasting with the establishment of RayPower 100.5FM, AIT, Daarsat – The first fully Nigerian base digital multi-channel direct-to-home subscription TV and an indigenous station FAAJI FM, ).
AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF POLITICAL NEWS COVERAGE ON TELEVISION: A STUDY OF AFRICAN INDEPENDENT TELEVISION (AIT) AND NIGERIAN TELEVISION AUTHORITY (NTA) ILORIN.
