Abstract
This research work examined the impact of radio on
political mobilization. Survey method was used for the study. Combinations of
purposive and random sampling techniques were used to draw a sample of 100
respondents from five communities of Ezza North Local Government Area (Nkomoro,
Inyere, Ogboji, Ekka and Amuda community). An 18-item questionnaire was used
for data collection. Data were analyzed based on the 94 returned copies of the
questionnaire. Findings revealed that radio mobilizational programmes have
influenced the people‟s choice of political participation. Findings also
indicated an average exposure rate of respondents to these programmes. Based on
these findings, the study recommended that Government should increase
allocation of funds to the and information
communication ministries so as to enable radio stations carry out more
effective programmes on political mobilization.
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background of the Study
The Mass Media made up of print and
electronic play a huge role as veritable instruments of communication in every
society. Radio as a medium is a tool for journalistic education, enlightenment,
mobilization, culture propaganda and entertainment. Radio promotes economic
development, stimulates political participation and arouses national
consciousness and unity.
Radio was originally brought to
Nigeria in 1932 by the British colonial government and was known as Radio
Diffusion Service (RDS). It allowed the public to listen to programmes of
British Broadcasting Corporation as foreign radio. In April 1952, RDS became
the Nigerian broadcasting Service and introduced radio stations in Lagos,
Kaduna,
Enugu, Ibadan and Kano. This service
was upgraded to the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in 1957 by an act
of parliament. The NBC was designed to serve the communication needs of the
people in the regions. In the same vein, the Broadcasting Organizations of
Nigeria (BON) was founded in 1933 to aid successful interaction of the
broadcasting media in Nigeria. The organization is used as a rallying point for
coverage of major national and international events.
Radio has the ability to serve both
illiterate and literate people unlike the print media. Radio has played major
roles in greasing the wheels of the country‟s political economy. It makes
unbeatable contributions to the enhancement of the country‟s growth as
exemplified in its massive political education, enlightenment, awareness,
consciousness and provision offorafor discussion, debates and presentations.
These functions were manifested during campaign towards the 2003 general elections.
It therefore provided the electorate the opportunity to set the manifestos and
programmes of political parties with a view to helping them make mature choices
during the elections. The mass media are organized means of communication
designed to reach large numbers of people without the necessity of personal
contact. Radio is regarded as the guardian of the public that examines the
political policy and programmes, educates the masses, motivates and mobilizes
them for active participation in political programmes and activities. The mass
media are indispensable to the political system in a democratic society. They
constitute the fourth estate of the realm, independent, free and responsible to
the Public. They create awareness in order for the citizens to know the
problems and issues confronting the state and their possible solutions and
consequences. They provide people with information they need and can stimulate
them by presenting the ideas of others. The mass media should play a crucial
role in nurturing and sustaining the success or failure of our practice of
democratic government. To a large extent, their success depends on how well the
mass media carry out their functions as the midwife of democracy.
In Nigeria, the mass media have
become instruments of political transformation of the masses. According to
Akpan (1987, p.22), media information has a tremendous energy for change.
Change in this context refers to learning which manifests mostly where a good
number of people are wallowing in ignorance. The media are needed for
information to improve all aspects of life. In the political sphere, the
electorate need media information to participate fully in elections and learn
their obligation. Furthermore, Eze (1988) while presenting his article „‟Mass Media
and Social Political Transformation‟‟, noted that the politics of any nation
depends heavily on the mass media as platforms of articulating and marketing of
ideas and issues on national problems to the people.
The study will therefore examine the
contributions of Radio in mobilizing and galvanizing the people towards putting
in place a stable and acceptable democratic government in Ezza
North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
1.1.1Brief History of the Salt FM Radio (EBBS)
Ebonyi Broadcasting Service (EBBS)
transmits on 98.10MHZ frequency modulation (FM) 2×2 TX. The Radio Station was
established on 3rd February, 1997 with an initial 200 feet mast and
later increased to 250 feet. The test transmission of the Radio station
commenced on March, 22, 1997. Earlier, the pioneer military administration of
Ebonyi State, Navy
Captain Walter Feghabo, applied
for both Radio and Television Licenses to the National Broadcasting Commission
(NBC) on March 3, 1997. On July 22, 1997 EBBS Radio started airing commercial
programmes. On August 5, 1997 the first news bulletin was transmitted while the
first global news came on air on April 1, 1998.
Legal Instrument
On 5th March, 1997 the
management of EBBS forwarded the draft edict of the organization to the
Ministry of Justice,Ebonyi State, through the Ministry of Information and State
Orientation for vetting. Consequently, the Ministry of Justice on September 22,
1998 forwarded a copy of the Edict
to the then Military Administrator, His Excellency, Commissioner of Police,
Simeon Oduoye for assent. Thereupon, the Military Administrator assented to it
and consequently, Ebonyi Broadcasting Service (EBBS) Abakaliki received its
legal instrument (backing by Edict No.10 (1999).
1.2 Statement of the Problem
In democratic societies, the mass
media are the watchdog of the people. They usually mobilize and inform the
people to create awareness on political culture and other happenings in the
society. It was however observed that the level of mobilization by the media
(radio) to be precise falls short of expectation. Some people even show apathy
to the electoral process preferring to remain mere spectators due to either
lack of adequate information about the political process or because the media
have not been alive to their responsibility of being objective in their
reportage. By political culture we mean the system of politics where the
traditional orientation of the citizens of a nation towards politics, affects
their perceptions of political legitimacy. The incipient crises which have so
far beset the process of nation building and political development in Nigeria
has been noted by Ofoeze (1918) as being located in the crises of political
participation.
Perhaps, it could be argued that the
political crises that pervade our recent past is due to the fact that most
people are apathetic about electoral situation in the country. The sectional
interest shown by some politicians and their readiness to pursue their interest
is also a threat to the survival of democracy in the state and the country at
large. Apart from ethnic influence and bias among some media practitioners
which negate professional ethics and money influence to serve the interest of
others, the profession has also become an all comer‟s affair thereby
threatening its credibility.
This study is set out to answer the
question; what is the impact of the Salt FM Radio on the Political Mobilization
of the people of Ezza North Local Government of Ebonyi State?
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The purpose of this study is in line
with the nations continuous and steady march towards inculcating democratic
culture in its citizens. In effect the objectives are:
1.
To find out the reach of Salt FM in Ebonyi
State.
2.
To determine whether Ezza North L.G.A. indigenes
have access to Salt FM Political
Programmes.
3.
To determine the extent the Salt FM can mobilize
the people of Ebonyi State
politically.
4.
To determine whether the people of Ezza North
have other sources of information in their political mobilization quest.
1.4 Research Questions
To guide this study, the following research
questions have been formulated.
1.
To what extent does the salt FM cover Ebonyi
State?
2.
How far are the people of Ezza North likely to
access political information from Salt
FM?
3.
To what extent does Salt FM mobilize the people
of Ebonyi State politically?
4.
Are the people of Ezza North likely to get
political mobilization information through any other source apart from the
State radio?
1.5 Scope of the Study
The study has chosen „‟political
mobilization‟‟ by Salt FM Radio Abakaliki and residents of Ezza North L.G.A. as
the scope of study. Also in focus are the issues of ethnic domination, mutual
suspicions, apathy in the electoral process by a section of the population and
illiteracy which provides a breeding ground for power seeking politicians. The
role of the media in eliminating mutual distrust, providing effective political
education, strength, unity and encouraging participation in the electoral
process will also be covered by this study.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study will be of immense
importance to the residents of Ezza North L.G.A. and Ebonyi State at large
because it will reveal the need for mass media (radio) precisely in political
mobilization in Ezza North Local Government Area.
1.7 Operational Definition of
Terms
Media:
Device for moving messages across distance or time to accomplish mass
communication.
Politics:
The pursuit and exercise of the political process necessary to make binding
policy decision for the community and to distribute patronage and government
benefits.
Mobilization:
To organize or prepare group of people for action or purpose.
Political
mobilization: Organizing or preparing group of people to take part in
political activities, especially the electorate of their rights and the need
for full participation in the electoral process.
Electoral process: Participating in the laid down process or rules
by the electorate, culminating in successful elections.