Table of Contents
Title page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication IV
Acknowledgement v
Table of contents VI
List of tables vii
Abstract viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 background of the study 1
1.2 Statement of the problem 2
1.3 Objectives of the study 3
1.4 Research Questions 3
1.5 Scope of the study 3
1.6 Significance of the study 4
1.7 Operational Definition of Significant terms 4
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction 6
2.2 Review of the concepts 6
2.2.1 Concept of election 6
2.2.2 Concept of electorate 8
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2.2.3 Concept of political Mobilization 12
2.2.4 Concept of political participation 14
2.2.5 Concept of television as a tool for Mass Communication 14
2.3 Review of Related Studies 19
2.4 Theoretical Framework 21
2.5 Summary 22
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction 23
3.2 Research Design 23
3.3 Population of the study 23
3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Technique 24
3.5 Description of the Research Instrument 25
3.6 Validity of Data Gathering Instrument 25
3.7 Method of Data Collection 25
3.8 Method of Data Analysis 25
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Introduction 26
4.2 Data Presentation and Analysis 26
4.3 Discussions of Findings 38
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction 41
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5.2 Summary of findings 41
5.3 Conclusion 41
5.4 Recommendations 41
5.5 Suggestions for Further Studies 42
References 43
Appendix A 44
Appendix B 45
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List of Tables
Demographic data on sex
Table 1: Distribution of age
Table 2: Educational status
Table 3: Marital status
Table 4: Area of specialization
Table 5: Television ownership
Table 6: Viewership of news broadcast
Table 7: Power supply constancy
Table 8: Awareness of news channels
Table 9: News comprehensiveness
Table 10: Types of news channels
Table 11: Reasons for choice
Table 12: Reasons for making a choice of the available
Table 13: Distribution showing if you have voted for a candidate because he or she participate in election on television
Table 14: Distribution showing how religious status influence your political activities as regard to whom to vote for
Table 15: Distribution showing how well television viewership enhance electorate turnout during elections
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Table 16: Distribution showing how electorate and other electoral stakeholders see television as a best means of mobilization.
Table 17: Distribution showing how respondents agree to campaign bases on promises.
Table 18: Distribution showing how respondents see the election that has being conducted before.
Table 19: Distribution showing respondents recommendation of television as a tool in mobilization of electorates for political election.
Table 20: Distribution in showing how N.T.A keeps track of progress of political information.
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine The role of Nigerian Television Authority in the mobilization of the electorates for political elections (A study of 2011 general elections in Makurdi Local Government Area). The study adopted the survey design using the questionnaire as the research instrument. The study addressed three research questions. The findings revealed among others that television has a major role in mobilizing citizens for political elections. The study recommended that the masses should be much more involved in electoral processes to enhance good governance and a better democracy through network participation that is, through election call centers for complains.
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of study
Election as a Mass Mobilization and participatory activity usually start when an electoral system is put in place and serves as a mechanism for shaping political competition, power sharing and resource allocation by definition, election is the act of choosing or selecting one or more persons from a greater number of person to serve as representatives in the taking of decisions that affect public interest and the allocation of national power and resources in acceptable manner (israel2009, p.113).
Robert and John (1974) in Ntete-Nna (2004,p.289) report that the essential role of election is to act as a mechanism whereby leaders are circumscribed and made aware that there is a contingent one at least where there is real possibility that they may be outside from office.
Television plays different roles in the lives of its audience, to many; it could be an educative, informative as well as an entertainment medium. Although the use of television alone may not create total awareness to individuals as a result of its restraining factor such as expensiveness, irregular power supply and so on. It is believed that the television will create more sensitized atmosphere for information on issues affecting the society at large, this is where Nigerian Television Authority (N.T.A) Makurdi comes in as a mobiliser of the electorate for political elections.
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BRIEF HISTORY OF NIGERIAN TELEVISION AUTHORITY (N.T.A)
In 1976, more states were created and the number of the states increased from 12 to 19 states, this witnessed the emergence of state owned television stations and prompted the federal government to take over the television stations in 1977 establishing the Nigerian television authority (N.T.A). One of the roles of Nigerian Television Authority (N.T.A) is to inform the citizens about the importance of elections and why they should vote. N.T.A should also educate the masses on the codes of conduct as stated by the Nigerian electoral act and brief them about candidates of the competing parties as well as their party manifestoes.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The incessant problem of electoral malpractices associated with godfatherism, for instance snatching of ballot boxes, political thuggery, rigging and so on was often caused by little or no enlightenment on the choices we make as electorates. Poor political education of the procedures involved in the election such as the process of registering, obtaining a voters card, accreditation, the right pattern of voting have constituted serious problems in our voting activities. The Mass Media as the voice of the people play important roles in the entire political activities.it is part of the duty of the Media to sufficiently mobilize the electorate for the electoral activities the question this research seeks to answer is: how has the N.T.A Makurdi effectively mobilized the electorate for successful electoral activities during elections in Makurdi local Government Area of Benue state.
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1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study were as follows:
1. To find out whether N.T.A Makurdi was a choice of medium for the people of Makurdi local Government Area.
2. To find out if N.T.A Makurdi political messages satisfied the people’s political desires.
3. To determine the extent N.T.A Makurdi effectively mobilized the people’s participation in the electoral process of 2011 election.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. To what extent was N.T.A Makurdi a choice medium for the people of Makurdi Local Government Area?
2. How did N.T.A Makurdi political messages satisfy the people’s political desires?
3. To what extent did N.T.A Makurdi effectively mobilize the people’s participation in the electoral process of 2011?
1.5SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study focused on Makurdi local Government Area and the electorate of local Government. Although the study is limited to the electorate in Makurdi Local Government Area, it is assumed that in Nigeria generally, the electorate has similar characteristics. Based on this assumption, the result of the findings could be generalized.
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1.6SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The findings of the study would be significant in several ways.
1. It would serve as a reference material both for students and other researchers, who may have need for information and documentations on this area of academic study.
2. The findings would also be helpful to other media organizations in their planning and execution of electoral programs
3. The findings would also offer the electorate the opportunity to air their views on the way and manner media organizations handle election programs.
1.7 OPERATIONAL DEFINATIONOF SIGNIFICAL TERMS
Broadcast: this involves sending out programs, information, ideas to the public through the mass media for instance; television, radio, internet etc.
Conflict: it is a situation of disagreement occurring between entities, people, group or organization.
Elections: this is a system of choosing a person or group of people for positions in the society by a legal way of voting.
Enfranchise: this is the right given to an individual to participate in elections.
Electorate: these are the people in a given area or country who have the right to vote.
Malpractise: a system of ill behavior that does not foster positive responsiveness.
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Media: It is the vehicle through which messages, information, ideas, demands and so on are passed across to the masses.
Mobilization: an act of organizing a group of people to partake in a task or incident in other to achieve a desired goal or objective.
Politics: these are activities connected with the state government or general affairs. It usually involves competition between different parties on leadership positions based on election.
Region: a large area of land usually without exact boarders that a country is usually divided into comprising of its own customs and government. For example in Nigeria we have the northern region.
Stigmatization: a feeling of unimportance, un-acceptance usually caused by the treatment that people give to you.
Television: it is an essential part of mass media which transmit pictures and sound signals over long distance through electromagnetic radiation. It is a medium of communication that enhances believability through its sight and sound appeal.
Democracy: a political system in which the people of the country rule through any form of government they choose to establish.
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