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Impact Of Television Broadcasting On Electioneering Campaigns
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On the same power of the media, Orhewere‟s (2003:140) argues; the
Nigerian media in the past did not show enough commitment to
professional ethic there by contributing to electoral crisis in Western
Nigerian in 1965 and subsequent elections. The relevance of Orhewere‟s
comment is that not only does the Nigerian Broadcast media posses‟
enormous powers, but its role as an instrument of mobilization dates
back to as far as 1965. In other words, the media has been a very active
instrument in democratic processes in Nigeria over a stretch of time,
until the military dictatorship took the shine from it. However, with
the re-entry of civilian rule in 1999, the media viz the broadcast media
have resumed its active role of mobilizing the populace for elections.
The media or 3
broadcast media played very important role in
elections written 1999 and 2003, Therefore, to print out that, the roles
the media often plays is either responsible or otherwise and has made
people pass judgment or often ascribed to failed outcome of elections
ascribed to failed outcome of elections to it. That is the success or
failure of elections are often judged by the role of the media for
instance, Chinua Achebe (1993:78) allege that; the two previous at
conducting election under civilian rule generated crisis, which
culminated to the collapse of the republics due to several electoral
frauds some of which allegedly were aided and abetted by the media.
Chinua Achebe‟s comment however begs for serious questions at to, how
does a watch dog become a conspirator. In other words, how does a media
aid and abet fraud, perhaps they will form another basis for a study.
However, it is important to note that, indeed the broadcast media has
very strong roles to play in elections. To this Burns (1977:45) state
that; The media in a civilized society occupy a very important and
powerful position with capacity that can easily influence the opinion of
the masses. While Rivers (1971) state that, it is expected to be the
condolence of the people where divergent views are expressed in order to
serve as a check against autocratic and totalitarian rule
Therefore,
it is against the above background that this project seeks to examine
the impact of television broadcasting on electioneering campaigns using
2011 presidential campaigns on NTA Abeokuta.
1.2 Statement of Research Problem
The
role of media in every society is often to educate, inform and
enlighten. It is assumed that, where those roles are adequately carried
out, elections are bound to be free and fair. However, in Nigeria,
several elections have been marred the question is how the mass media
has mobilized the Nigerian populace. How come electoral processes have
not been successful? Is the broadcast media system not commensurate to
other media systems elsewhere? These and many others are questions that
this study hopes to identify.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1. To ascertain the level of equal media coverage given to political parties to candidates.
2. To ascertain the significant relationship between mass media & electioneering campaign.
3. To ascertain the significant level of mobilization of mass media towards elections. 4
4. To determine the significant level of agenda setting programme of mass media town elections.
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