EFFECT OF MASS MEDIA ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF VANDEIKYA L.G.A, BENUE STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

What is known today as mass media has resulted from a series of innovative technological inventions which have developed over centuries. The media in today’s world has been described as a combination of content, comprising a scientific and artistic ensemble of music, film, TV, radio video, publications, advertisement, and electronic games (Locksley, 2009). All these have followed technological innovative changes over a long period of time. Media technology has attained some level of expansion which has motivated dynamic applicability of media over its content, platform, and devices. These developments have provided some dimensions of influence over various industries and institutions. The proliferation of media technologies and devices in modern days has been highly instrumental in the rapid development of global industrial and human institutions. The same techniques are being applied to promote community development in most nations of the world. Development agencies and non-governmental organizations are powerful agents of change and development (Agboola, 2014). In Nigeria, the activities of non-governmental organizations and economic relief agencies have been on the increase in the last few decades, yet, Nigeria has remained stagnant on the path to development, in spite of its vast mineral and human resources. Evidences in Nigeria show that the number of those in poverty has continued to increase. In 2012 for instance, the number of people in poverty rose from 27% to 46% in 2009. While it decreased to 42% in 2009 it increased significantly to 67% in 2015. By the end of 2011 to date, it is estimated that more than 70% of Nigerians lived in acute poverty (Ogwumike, 2000). This is probably why Nigeria has remained dependent on foreign aid, grants and loans to feed its citizens becoming a beggar to the inter community over several decades. The state of poverty and hunger in Nigeria has become so complex that 7 out of every 10 Nigerians live on less than $1 a day (Commission, 2004). To worsen the situation, the impact of development agencies, inter donors, charity organizations and non-governmental organizations who are striving to alleviate suffering is hardly felt, as most development projects do not thrive. As a result, several valuable resources, including labour and time, have been wasted, and yet poverty persists. While development agencies have good intentions, their efforts may not have been adequately motivated for some obvious reasons. Most of the time, the rightful beneficiaries of development projects are not aware of either such opportunities or how or where to find them. Apart from this, most community development projects are run without consideration for the unique potency of the media to enhance the project. Hence, most community development projects do not meet specified expectations. This is the premise that this research attempts to explore. Nigeria seems to be struggling between success and failure on the path to development. There is no argument that the nation is still far behind in the area of exploring and applying advances in technology to address development issues. In spite of the potential capabilities of advances in media and communication technology, development agencies in Nigeria still rely on costly, time consuming, and inefficient strategies for community need assessment, training and education, fundraising, awareness and advocacy, publicity, monitoring and evaluation for their projects. A new approach, primarily rooted in the use of media, is imperative at this time as an alternative to the conservative procedures that have handicapped results in development projects. The old approach made potential beneficiaries more crippled with impoverishment and marginalized communities more marginalized. If only development practitioners will tap into the pull of media technology through community media network systems, development enterprise will hopefully take a new turn in Nigeria.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

In this global age, Mass Media has been regarded as a valuable tool for economic, social and political development in the community. Every community needs the full support of Government on development in order to be full civilized, even for them to know the basic needs and situation of the state economy, because of these reasons, it is imperative now for the Mass Media to be used as the only ways by which people will be nurtured on the new developments. Therefore, for the research, the problem at hand is to find out the effect of Mass Media on community development in Nigeria and how Mass Media has changed the attitude and behaviour of the community dwellers that has been exposed to the Mass Media.

1.3 AIMS OF THE STUDY

The major purpose of this study is to examine the critical analysis of the use of financial statement in assessing the performance of an organization. Other general objectives of the study are:

1. To examine the extent which mass media has contribute to the development of rural community in Nigeria.
2. To determine the means and sources of mass media available to the people of Vandeikya L.G.A, Benue State.
3. To examine the effects of mass media on community development.
4. To examine the problems faced by mass media practitioners in this community.
5. To examine the relationship between mass media and community development.

6. To recommend ways of solving the problems faced by the media practitioners.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the extent to which mass media has contributed to the development of rural community in Nigeria?
2. What are the means and sources of mass media available to the people of Vandeikya L.G.A, Benue State?
3. What are the effects of mass media on community development?
4. What are the problems faced by mass media practitioners in this community?
5. What is the relationship between mass media and community development?

6. What are the possible ways of solving the problems faced by the media practitioners?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

Hypothesis 1

H0: There is no effect of mass media on community development.

H1: There is a significant effect of mass media on community development.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significant of the study has in the fact that there are many people that will benefit from this research. Both the young and the old will gain a lot of things from this work. The level of education will not only be improved by mass media among the youths but also among the old ones. This research will be of advantage to everybody in the community because the knowledge of how to provide solution to community’s problems will be acquired. The knowledge of modern education system through the use of computer will be gained by the help of mass media. The role played by the mass media in community development would show how the Mass Media has being performing a vital role in disseminating information to the heterogeneous audiences. In the absence of Mass Media, the community dwellers would have been un-developed; No one among them would have perceived the news of the day, through the means of Mass Media especially the broadcasting media radio and television, people have now been enjoying the free news giving to them by the news broadcasters precisely. Through Mass Media the information dissemination is made possible and even not only that, the new technologies has increased the speed rate of disseminating information to the people in communities.

1.7    SCOPE OF THE STUDY 

The study is based on the effect of mass media on community development in Vandeikya L.G.A of Benue State.

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Mass Media: Mass media refers to channels of communication that involve transmitting information in some way, shape or forms to large numbers. Mass media also refers to print, radio television, and other communication technologies.

Community Development: Community development is a way of strengthening civil society by coming together to take collective actions of communities and their perspective in the developments of social economic and environmental policy. It seeks the empowerment of local communities taken to mean both geographical communities; communities organizing around specific themes or policy initiatives.