ABSTRACT
This study examined the role of mass media in 2015 local government election with focus on Dutse Local Government Election. The study employed quantitative descriptive research method. Data were sourced basically through primary source with the aid of questionnaire. The research population of this study consists of the electorates of Dutse local government area of Jigawa State. A sample of 100 was drawn from the population using simple random sampling technique. Data collected was analyzed using tables and simple percentage. From the findings, it was established that the media is a very powerful device that can be used in shaping the behavioral pattern of people before and during elections. Also, the media can also build destroyed people behavioral pattern in the choice of candidates. It was recommended among other recommendations that media practitioners should be given adequate training on how to report issues related to election matters.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
General Introduction
1.0 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem
1.3 Objectives
1.4 Research Question
1.5 Basic Assumption
1.6 Methodology
1.6.1 Sample Size and Sampling Technique
1.6.2 Instrument of Data collection
1.6.3 Method of Data Analysis
1.7 Significance of the study
1.8 Scope of the study
1.9 Limitation of the study
1.10 Plan of the study /organization of the chapters
1.11 Definition of the concepts
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Conceptual Framework
2.2.1 Concept of Mass Media
2.3 Conceptualization of Democracy and Civic Education
2. 4 The Role of Mass Media in Democratic Settling
2.4.1 The Mass Media and Democracy in Nigeria
2.4.2 Mobilization Role of the Media
2.5 Constitutional Role of Mass Media in Nigerian Democratic Setting
2.6 Challenges Confronting Mass Media in Nigeria
2.7 Theoretical Framework
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Historical Evaluation and Development of the Mass Media in Nigeria
CHAPTER FOUR
Date Presentation and Analysis
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Research Instrument/Sample Size
4.2 Data Presentation and Analysis
4.3 Research Finding
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
Bibliography
Appendix: Questionnaire
CHAPTER ONE
General Introduction
1.0 Background of the Study
The media play a central role in influencing or forming images in the mind of citizens during election. Although influence over voting behaviors appears to be best the media serve as ok. (Erbring, Goldenberg, and millet 1980). provide a breakthrough in term of analysis of media effect models. This authors demonstrates the receptivity of agenda sifting by the electorate is “audience contingent”. It is mistaken to assume that the media are the cause of an audiences increase concern regarding to an issue that has receipt to increase media covered the media constitute only one several of determinants of individual priories with respect to certain issues or events (Erbring et al). Present an alternative audience’s pre-existing sensitivities to produce change in issue of concern. As such the media act as a trigger to activate dormant salience awareness. This issue is critical as it indicates that the messages received from the media are not sent only to voters but the general populace. (As Erbring et al) noted that the people have difference opinion of what is important to them, and the tune in and out accordingly (Goldenbery and miller, 1980).
Local government is a form of public administration which, in a majority of contexts, exists as the lowest tier of administration within a given state. The term is used to contrast with offices at state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or (where appropriate) federal government and also to supranational government which deals with governing institutions between states. Local governments generally act within powers delegated to them by legislation or directives of the higher level of government. In federal states, local government generally comprises the third (or sometimes fourth) tier of government, whereas in unitary states, local government usually occupies the second or third tier of government, often with greater powers than higher-level administrative divisions. However According to Auyo (1986) defined local government as territorial non-sovereign community possessing the right of necessary organization to regulate its own affairs. The advent of internet and technology has exposed majority of the global population to different interactive platform on which different kinds of information are exchange which might significantly have effect on human behavour, decision and judgment (CES, 2012). Basically, the effect affirmed the effectiveness and impotency of the mass media and subservience to other more fundamental components in any potential situation of influence. The mass- media primarily, radio, film or print at the time most research was conducted, emerge as a major contributor in individual opinions, attitudes or behaviour or to direct cause of crime, aggression, or other negative social phenomena (Trenaman and Mc quail, 1961).the possibility that the information received from the mass media will trigger widespread and collective panic responses has often been canvassed, but rarely demonstrated. For instance, 1938 radio broadcasting of which involved stimulated news bulletins reporting and invasion from mass in the case most often cited in this connection mainly because of the event (Cantril et al, 1940). For instance the Greenberg of the dissemination of news of the association of the Kennedy tell us a good more of the process which began to operate in such circumstances. Essentially, what happen is what people taken over transmitter of influence and those who received news seek independent confirmation from other media or trusted personal sources. The circumstance of solitary, unmediated, reception and responses is unusual and short lived (Greenberg and Parkere, 1965).
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem
This study seeks to examine the role played by the Mass media in the conduct of the 2015 local government general election in Jigawa state. It is an acknowledgement fact that the Mass media have the significant role to play in any democratic process. Thus the mass media playing such roles as anticipatory socialization of the citizen in the culture of new Democracy. This is because the mass media is described as a pivot of social interaction seeking to use the power of mass information to solve the problem. As stated earlier how the media perform the above function appears to have been in doubt especially by the public. For instance, the numerous admittance of the indispensable role of mass media or press in precise political mobilization and electoral process of the people seemingly do not draw conclusion that the resultant effects of and responses to the press in the mobilization and electoral process massages are entirely positive. Although mass media help to increasing the popularity of candidate and their and parties, it has the capacity to make their change and voter perception of the parties or candidate rumors, falsehood propaganda about candidate no parties spread faster than anticipated, often with disastrous outcomes. This has a huge influence on voter behavour as most voters who heard and read story on media such as radio, newspaper and so on and soon have a tendency to believe such story without cross checking facts and take decision based on this propaganda. This research work therefore seeks to determine the extent to which the media serve to act on the election pattern of individual among the electorates during the 2015 local Government general election in Jigawa State.
1.3 Objectives
The general objective is to examine the role of mass media in the conduct of 2015 local government general election, while the specific objectives are enlisted below:
1. To examine the role played by the mass media in the conduct of 2015 local government election in Dutse local government.
2. To examine if the mass media favored the government in power
3. To examine if the parties/candidates had fair access to political broadcasts and advertising.
1.4 Research Question
1. Does the mass media played a significant role in the 2015 local government election in Dutse Local Government Area?
2. Does the mass media favor the government in power?
3. Does the parties/candidates had fair access to political broadcasts and advertising?
1.5 Basic Assumption
The following assumptions were designed to facilitate this investigation;
• The mass media has contributed during the 2015 local government general election in Dutse Local Government.
• That the Mass media favored the ruling party during 2015 local government election.
• That the political parties or candidate had fair access to political broadcasts and advertising election during local government election in Dutse local government.
1.6 Methodology
1.6.1 Sample Size and Sampling Technique
For the purpose of the study, considering the limited resources and time constraints, as well as concentration of government parastatals in Dutse it is not possible for the researcher to covered all the areas of the study in view of this the researcher choose sample random sampling technique for selecting the respondents in all eleven(11) Ward. And therefore, Sample random sampling technique was used to collect validated information from the respondents.
The area of the study is Dutse. This will gives all selecting respondents an equal chance for been collected. Based on this one hundred (100) respondents were selected as a representation of the larger population.
1.6.2 Instrument of Data collection
In the process of conducting this research, two instrument of data collection, primary and secondary source of data collection was employed in the study.
(a) Primary sources, some questions was framed and distributed to some of people In the questionnaire. The questionnaire which comprised of close ended provides, from which respondents made choice.
(b) Secondary sources, the data will be collected from document such as relevant text books, journals, magazines, newspapers and past projects for the proper organization of the research work or study.
1.6.3 Method of Data Analysis
In this research the data collection Will be analyzed with the used of percentage in other words, percentage will be used in expressing the responses asked in the questionnaire and data tabulated for the easy comprehensive.
1.7 Significance of the study
This study is significant in the sense that it will aid policy makers by feeding them with vital information regarding the relevant of mass media in the conduct of local government general election taken in to cognizance problem and major suggestion as to overcome the identified problems.
The study will also serve as reference material to the others students undertaking study in the area related to subject under discussion. The study will be immense benefit to media practitioners to know the expectation of people about them, and if any vacuum is observed, it will help them to red strategize themselves for the function and performance played by the mass media in Jigawa. And the studies seek to examine the role play of the mass media in the conduct of 2015 local government election in Dutse local government.
1.8 Scope of the study
The study to examined the implication of mass media on local government election in Dutse Local Government via the assessment of the 2015 Local government general election. The study would therefore, restricted to media house that is radio, television, newspaper and internet in the state. It is pertinent here to note that the study would cover the activities of these electronics media before, during and after the elections. Those electronics media in the study area are; Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Jigawa Station, jigawa state broadcasting cooperation (JTV), Andaza Radio FM, New world Radio FM, Horizon FM and Freedom Radio FM which was the only private station among them.
1.9 Limitation of the study
All finding from the study may not reflect the true and bias view of other media houses and programme in area research cold not cover a winder area. However, there cannot be through research without fund. Thus, the lack of funds poses as a limitation to any work; also a time factor is included because the issue of combining lecture with research is no easy task.
1.10 Plan of the study /organization of the chapters
The project is carried out the investigation on the role of mass media in local government election. The study consists five chapters, beginning with this chapter one contains: General Introduction, statement of problems, aims and objective of the study, research question, basic assumption, research methodology, and significance of the study, scope and limitation of the terms. Chapter two which comprises the review of the related literatures on the subject matter and the theoretical framework, while chapter three of this study will contain historical background of the study, in chapter four data presentation and interpretation will be examine. Lastly, chapter five contains summary, conclusion and recommendations.
1.11 Definition of the concepts
Mass media: is a diversified collection media technology that reaches a large audience via mass communication. The technologies through which this communication takes place include a variety of outlets.
Election: The formal process of selecting a person for public office or of accepting or rejecting a political proposition by voting.
Local Government: Auyo (1986) defined local government as territorial non-sovereign community possessing the right of necessary organization to regulate its own affairs.
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