ABSTRACT
This study on the role of the mass media in
anti-child abuse in Nigeria. A survey of Owerri metropolis. The study is aimed
at addressing the role of the media on their campaign against child trafficking
and abuse in Nigeria and to examine their effort being made as well, and also
to have an overview of their encumbrances and their performance so far. A total
of two hundred questionnaires we given out to the mass media audience and one
hundred questionnaires were issued to the mass media practitioners. The
response rate of the mass media audience was one hundred and ninety. While the
mass media practitioner’s respondents were ninety. The data collected was
analyzed to determine their responses. The response favourable and in support
of the role of the media against child trafficking and abuse was analyzed and
it was discovered that most of the victims of this ugly vices were from
impoverished homes.
CHAPTER ONE
BACKGROUND OF
THE STUDY
The word “ROLE” according to the Oxford Advanced
Learner’s Dictionary is “the function or position that somebody has or is
expected to have in an organization, society or in a relationship. This will
help in electing meaning to the role of Nigeria mass media in their anti-child
trafficking and abuse campaign.
Harold lass well (1945) say; that the mass media
performs three function viz; surveillance of the environment, correlation of
parts of the society transmission of the social heritage from one generation to
another, and Wright (1975) adds, fourth role as “entertainment” Okunna (1999,
274)child trafficking and abuse an emotional and contentious issue that has
enormously eroded the societal values.
This in humanity of man to young persons has an
age long history. In the last twelve years the crime has greatly increased as
children are moss-led by deceit or forced to summit to servitude for economic
purposes due to dissemination. This act is perpetrated both internally and
externally,
happens to be one of the destination points for child abuse as the “crime
harming a child physically, sexually and emotionally”. Maduewesi (1990) argues
that there are no statistical records on how the media have churned out news on
this menace. In the recent times, studies have shown that trafficking of
children basically for house helps service is a global issue. Also Lutz (2002) affirms that house help in different places
were largely young, single girls of age 14 years and above. Ti is consistent
with the findings of Gidoy (2002) who reported a study of the 100 children
sampled in EL salvader working in domestic services most of them were between
12 and 17 years of age.
Nevertheless, the media’s role in creating
awareness in child abuse and child trafficking by churning out programmes in a
dramatized way, extensive reportage on child trafficking and abuse through
films, print and broadcast media is a worth while venture. The mass media
campaign coverage on information few people directly experience and unraveling
happenings that relates to this scourge.
Therefore it is believed that the Nigerian mass
media can through their campaign bring about a social change in child
trafficking and abuse within Owerri municipality.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
I beat every sound minded Nigerians imagination
why such act like child trafficking and abuse that is akin to slavery should
continue after more than 200 years since slavery was stopped all over the
world. Unfortunately,
has been indicted as a transit point irrespective of efforts of the media,
government and non-governmental bodies towards finding a lasting solution to the
change.
The exploitive and slave like conditions meted out
on young persons under the age of seventeen is better described as cruelty to
the Nigeria child. This indecent and ungodly act-should not strive. In Nigeria
if the provision of the United Nation Conventions in 2000 and the Nigerian 1999
constitution is something to go by given the abuse emotional trauma and neglect
the child in Nigeria undergoes, one can therefore agree that an average
Nigerian is not much aware of the child right bill.
Several publication have been made by the Nigerian
mass media concerning children that are continuously abuse and trafficked to
foreign countries and within the nation in deceit for child labour, abuse and
trafficking. Based on this premise, this research will further explain the
danger the scourge portends and the need for all hands to be on deck for the
mass media campaign on anti-child trafficking and abuse to be a success. Also
we cannot continue to allow undesirable element to destroy the destinies of our
children.
PURPOSE OF STUDY
The nefarious act of child abuse and trafficking
is no longer news in the country. Also to say that Nigeria is a catchment
ground and as well as dumping point for child traffickers can not in anyway
raise eyebolt. No one can ever deny the fact that child abuse is on the
increase in .
Based on these issues, government bodies and good spirited individuals are
expected to take the bull by the horn to motivate, encourage and participate
directly on the Nigerian mass media role in the anti0child abuse and
trafficking campaigns.
Better still, the study calls for ways to address
these under listed steps with a view to find lasting solution to this menace.
a)
To look
inwardly as to discover the things that has impeded the Nigerian mass media
anti-child trafficking and abuse campaign.
b)
To appreciate
and explain the Nigerian mass media role in their anti child trafficking and
abuse campaign as well as,
c)
Identifying
and addressing the root cause of the scourge.
d)
The study
should also ascertain the government and non-governmental bodies’ effort in
this campaign.
e)
And to suggest
some other measures that would be of help to the media in their quest to
eradicate the scourge.
f)
To investigate
the level of ignorance exhibited by some media claimants.
SIGNIFICANCES OF STUDY
The study tends to provide information
on child trafficking and abuse in the country. Also the need to address the
Nigerian mass media encumbrances in their bid to fight the menace.
The research will be of immense help
to guardians, parents, and children the nation and the entire world. The causes
and measures to tackle these mysterious vices will be treated.
The
study will help people understand how ungodly the menace is and the bad image
it has created to Nigerians especially at times like this when the country is
leading a crusade on re-branding the image of the nation.
The work among other things will go a long way in
protecting the destinies of our children and the research shall serve as a referential
material to other researcher who would like to embark on similar research work
in due course.
RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
1)
What are the
mass media roles?
2)
If given the
enabling apparati, can the Nigeria mass media effectively carry out their
anti-child abuse and trafficking campaign?
3)
Have the
Nigerian mass media live up to expectation so far?
4)
What are the
factors adversely impeding their effort in their anti-child abuse and traffic
king campaign.
5)
Which other
relevant institution and people can be of immense help in this campaign by the
Nigerian mass media.
DELIMITATIONS / LIMITATION
The study will be restricted to the role of
Nigerian mass media in the anti-child abuse and trafficking campaign in
Nigeria. The study is limited to Imo state alone due to financial and time
constraints. At any rate, the problem encountered in the cause of this research
is getting of reports and materials on the trafficking and abuse
campaign and how to source out other relevant data.
Be that as it may, the research was
able to obtain material from the press, books, and internet and media outlets.
DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONCEPT
ROLE: Function
or part that one is expected to perform in an organization or society or in a
relationship
MASS MEDIA: Sources of information and news such as
newspaper, magazine, radio, television, internet, films that reach and
influence the attitude and opinions of large people.
Anti: Something a person does not agree with or accept
Child Trafficking: The illegal sending away of children to foreign
countries and within the country. Child abuse: It is a crime that harms a child
in a physical, sexual or emotional way.
Campaign: A series of activities that is well articulated
planned and organized to achieve or accomplish a particular goal.