CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Television is a sight and sound medium through which messages and information ideas are communicated to a wide range of audience.
Television viewing is a common activity engaged in by children, especially in this era of proliferation of television as a medium for communication.
To this end, television messages are broadcast for certain purposes, this implies that television through it’s programmers’ has certain influence on individuals as including children.
This chapter presents an overview of television and a brief history of television. It also encapsulates the statement of problem of this research work, the objective of this study, significance and the scope of study, research question as well as operational definition of certain terms.
Television has made tremendous impact on Nigeria society and in the world at large. It possesses immense power to influence the viewer and sharpen his sensitivity in all spheres of life. Various theories have been propounded by different scholars, some of which support the fact that the media possess immense power in influencing the viewer, while others have consistently countered the notion.
Television as one of the world’s most amazing inventions has come to stay and has over the years been a veritable channel for communication in the world.
The effects of television on adults can be significant but its influence in children goes much deeper. The increasing rate of immoralities in the society today among youths can be easily attributed to inventions of technologies like television, internet, films and motion pictures by an average Nigerian.
This study therefore is an examines the influence television viewing exacts on Nigerian children. Gaius Benton schools; cut across all sections of children from nursery, primary to secondary school.
It x-rays how the moral behaviour of children can be affected by television viewing which can be positive or negative.
Television is viewed in almost every home by people of all ages, the senile, parents, youths, children even infants.
The intensity of viewing by children and the extended periods of time over which they view television raises concern for their moral development.
The world today is said to be a global village thus issues, events and experiences going on in one part of the world can be seen instantly by people in other parts. People have more information about what is going on in world’s events than any other generation in human history.
Television over the years has played a pivotal role in the lives of individuals particularly children. The rapid growth of television after the World War II brought entertainment and information into the homes of many.
Large space communication was achieved in 1962 when a space probe radioed data, was moved back to the earth as it speed past the planet venues. The satellite made possible the broadcast over television between Europe and the United States of America and today, the rest of the world.
Cable television arrived in the 1970’s to most areas of the United States and now, to other parts of the world”. Akpan (2002, p.19) the use of television was expanded by the use of home videos and dick system.