THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TELEVISION IN THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
This study is geared towards finding out the effective of television in political development of rural areas on Nigeria with special reference to Enugu East local government area were studies. The importance media of mass communication is university acknowledges the use television is limited because of some factors that militate against its full utilization, such as high cost of television, maintenance cost and power supply. Most rural communities are not connected to the electricity, non availability of television has made some rural communities to resort to the old traditional methods of transmitting information which is country productive and mockery of democracy especially now that we are at the stage of entering in to the new century. Television has the advantage of audio and visual facilities, hearing and seeing makes for a lasting impression. politicians and government could exploit television to get across their political activities and agenda to the people. politicians could use it to market their political ideologies, progrmmes and by so doing win followers and supports through crating awareness and political enlightenment on Nigeria. This project is a survey research and primary source of data collection for the study in the main research question. The researcher made us of oral interview also to get across to the illiterate dwellers also to get balanced data and ensure credibility’s reliability of information supplied. Data collected were analyzed and interpreted. The findings reveal that the impact of television is not yet fully felt and enjoyed buy many in Enugu east zone because of the high cost of television and lack of electricity supply for those who own TV sets .in this democratic a, rural dwellers need political education, awareness and enlightenment. The government should therefore do some thing to improve the economy of he nation to enable many to be in position to own TV sets. They should also embark on rural electrification. And political education. Ministry of information and that of public utilities should consider than possibility providing and developing rural television viewing centers for eh general public. Adult services should be encouraged and established in rural communities to eradicate illiteracy. Television authorizes should run more programmes to carry rural dwellers along. The researcher hoped that the suggestions would enhance political development and public enlightenment.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Many of the developments that have accompanied the Nigerian electorate recent year has always been in intensely individualistic group. Hence political parties will always confront profound cultural differences. Given the cultural structure of the Nigerian electorate, the importance of television programmes cannot be overemphasized. The role of television in political development in the annulled 1993 presidential election is one of the greatest challenges facing the electorate especially those in the rural areas. This also is a typical case of election malpractices that have been the lot of Nigeria elections. Television on its own part is an election gadgets with combination of sound and pictures. It is the most effective, spontaneous message carrier of our time. Its conciseness bring to the masses especially the rural dwellers in on the spot account of the event making it number one when compeered to any other medium.
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