Complete Material Cost #3,000
Order for Complete Material now
Abstract
The study is determined to examine the influence of broadcast contents on children’s behavior with special reference to Nigeria Television Authority, Port Harcourt. Considering the population oversize, the researcher delimits the population to workers in Nigeria Television Authority (NTA). The researcher’s statistics, there are a total of 120 employees in Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Port Harcourt representing the entire population of this broadcast station. In making the choice of sample, the researcher adopted simple random sampling technique. The Yaro Yemens formula was used to determine the sample size of 92. The Chi-Square statistical tool was also used to test the null hypothesis in the researcher work from where statistical interferences will be made. Findings reveals that This means that Broadcast content of Nigeria Television Authority influences the behavior of Children in Port Harcourt. It is observe that children exhibit most of the character and behavior that they watch in broadcast in most cases. Based on the findings of the study summary conclusion and recommendations were made that improve awareness and understanding of age restrictions and classification guidelines, it will be beneficial to develop a specific programme on an appropriate level for children from seven (7) to 17 years old to inform them about age restrictions and classification guidelines and possible impact of exposure to age-inappropriate media content and the importance and relevance of age restrictions among parents need to be emphasized and parents need to be motivated to discuss age restrictions with their children.
Table of Contents
Title Page i
Dedication ii
Certification iii
Abstract iv
Acknowledgement v
Table of Contents vi
CHAPTER ONE 1
INTRODUTION 1
1.1 Background of the study 1
1.2 Statement of Problem 4
1.3 Purpose of the Study 5
1.4 Research Question 5
1.5 Research Hypothesis 6
1.6 Significance of the Study 6
1.7 Scope or Delimitation of the Study 7
1.8 Definition of Terms 7
CHAPTER TWO 9
LITERATURE REVIEW 9
2.1 Concept of Broadcasting 9
2.2 Theoretical Framework 15
2.3 Summary of Literature Review 16
CHAPTER THREE 20
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 20
3.1The Design of the Study 20
3.2 The Population of the Study 20
3.3 The Sampling Techniques Used 21
3.4 Development of Research Instrument 22
3.5 Validity and Reliability of the Research Instrument 23
3.6 Administration of the Instrument 23
3.7 Data Analysis Procedure/Techniques 24
CHAPTER FOUR 25
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF DATA 25
4.1 Presentation of Data 25
4.2 Data Analysis 26
4.3 Discussion of Findings 33
CHAPTER FIVE 36
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMEDATIONS 36
5.1 Summary 36
5.2 Conclusions 36
5.3 Recommendations 37
Bibliography 38
Appendix I 42
Appendix II 43
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Broadcast is the major source of information especially news, education, entertainment, fashion and trends. It is also a way of communication whether local, national and international. There are various types of media; the television (cable, network and satellite) the radio, film and video, print (newspaper, magazines and direct mail) photography and electronic (E-mail, social media and the web).These are prominent means that educates through advertisement, visuals, clippings and film slides. Broadcast offers children the opportunities to learn and be entertained. From the prefatory, it is imperative to mention that images and messages from broadcast contents have been linked to concerns that brings conflicts such as aggressive behavior, substance use and abuse, poor nutrition, obesity, unhealthy body image, risky sexual behavior and media dependency (Hancock, 2011).
Broadcast has brought about a major transformation in the way people think. Recently due to drastic improvements in different fields of Information Technology, mass media and communication system, the vast world is converted into a small village known as “Small and Global Village of the World” in which Globalization of Mind, Education, Economy and Culture, brings all the human beings closer and together from all over the world.
Media Broadcast has a negative effect on children, more specifically the violent content that are aired in the television or in cinemas. It is believed that children believe what they see in the media more than what happens in the real life. Children who watch too many fights in the television or read pornographic materials on the internet begin to develop certain characteristics that affect the people around them negatively.
From the opinion of Author Neil Postman (1982), he argues that we are living in a new dark age for children. For Postman, TV doesn’t simply erode old distinctions, or dissolve the boundaries between child and adult; it obliterates any and all differences. There is no such thing as children’s programming, he explains. “Everything is for everybody”; television is, “the total disclosure medium‟. Television gives children and teens access to all information, it drives all mystery and awe from the imaginations of children and teens, it dangerously broadens exposure, giving unlimited access to the adult world, the consequences of which promise to be brutal.
There are disagreements about the possible connection between broadcast content and children behaviour, Browne, K.D and C. Hamilton-Giachritsis, (2005) say that the connection is a cognitive phenomenon-a connection of ideas, perceptions, and attitudes. Eysenck, H.J. and D.K.B. Nias, (1978) argue that violent and sexually-explicit media have physiological effects that induce aggressive behaviours. Still Johnson, J.cohen, P.Smailes, E.Kasen, S, Brooks, (2002) focus on the ways in which broadcast violence primes or cues pre-existing aggressive thoughts and feelings. They believe these thoughts are already imbedded in the child and seeing the images on television only increases the rates and intensities of anti-social thoughts. The characters on TV act out and usually do not receive any corrective consequences for their behaviour. (Freedman, 2002) Middle school students emulate the look and behaviours of different media personalities, including rappers and professional athletes. Observations reveal oversized clothing; baggy jeans, shirts, baseball caps turned backwards, and scarves of these artists, being worn by the students in the halls of high school students every day.
Children go through different developmental stages, characterized by various developmental milestones. Consequently, many different developmental theories that focus on aspects such as physical, emotional and moral development have been developed. In view of the complexity of the impact of media on children, the theory of cognitive development by Jean Piaget, one of the most influential developmental psychologists of the 20th century, seems to be appropriate when considering the possible impact of media content on children.
The cognitive developmental theory of Piaget consists of four developmental stages through which human beings pass (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2000).During the first stage, from birth to two years of age, children are in the ‘sensorimotor stage’ of cognitive development. During this stage, children are only aware of what is immediately in front of them and acquire knowledge through sensory experiences and motor skills. Piaget’s next stage is called ‘preoperational stage’ (from ages 2 to 6 years). At this stage, children develop memory and imagination, which allow them to understand the difference between past and future and engage in make believe. But their thinking is based on intuition and still not completely logical. Piaget’s next stage is called ‘concrete operational stage’(from ages 7 to 11 years). Here, children begin to develop clearer methods of thinking and they start to overcome the egocentrism of the preoperational stage. They demonstrate logical, concrete reasoning and realize that their own thoughts and feelings are unique and may not be shared by others or may not even be part of reality. During this stage, however, most children still cannot think abstractly or hypothetically. During the ‘formal operational stage’(from age 12 to adulthood) children develop the ability to think logically and systematically and to understand abstractions and the concepts of causality and choice. They see that different outcomes can proceed from different actions and that they are free to choose between various actions depending on a desired outcome. It is noteworthy that Piaget suggested that there is a qualitative change in how children think as they gradually proceed through these stages. A child at age 7 does not just have more information about the world than he did at age 2; there is a fundamental change in how he thinks about the world.
1.2 Statement of Problem
Broadcast contents have been accused of been portrayal of both positive and negative behaviour in children, and its effect on the attitude of Nigerian children and the society at large are shocking (Folarin, 1999). Hornby, (2000) contends that some broadcast contain violent materials such as: Sex scenes, nudity, obscenity, vulgar language courses, indecent dresses, killings, murder, rape beating up women, shooting, smoking, molestation and harassment. Looking at the current socio-economic trend, you will believe with me that most broadcast news contain content of incessant killing and raping of innocent victims in the crannies of Bornu State of Nigeria. These are self-injurious in nature, and likely to affect the children etc.
It is obvious that broadcast materials to a very large extent affect children’s attitude in Nigeria. A worrisome aspect of these is that none of the broadcasters actively canvasses for the discouragement of the negative tendencies shown out on the screen of the mass media. And the failure by broadcast corporations to make any strong comment against social ills is a short coming of the films that use violence in their messages. The implication is that such broadcast rather than ameliorant violent acts in the society tend to aggravate them, Folarin, (1999). It is conscious of the above that triggers, the execution of this research work to critically examine the influence of broadcast contents on children’s behavior in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of the study is to examine the influence of broadcast contents on children’s behavior with special reference to Nigeria Television Authority, Port Harcourt. In specific term therefore, the study is also aimed at:
- To ascertain whether Nigeria Television Authority in Port Harcourt display scene that are horrific that can influence the behavior of children in Port Harcourt metropolis.
- To find out if broadcast content affects the socialization process of children residing in Port Harcourt.
iii. To find out if broadcast content affects the relationship of children and their peers in Port Harcourt.
- To what extent does broadcast content of Nigeria Television Authority Influence the behavior of Children in Port Harcourt.
1.4 Research Question
In cause of embarking this research work, it is therefore necessary to identify the following research questions to guide the conduct of this research:
- Does Nigeria Television Authority in Port Harcourt display scene that are horrific that can influence the behavior of children in Port Harcourt metropolis?
- Does broadcast content affects the socialization process of children residing in Port Harcourt?
iii. Could the broadcast content affect the relationship of children and their peers in Port Harcourt?
- Does broadcast content of Nigeria Television Authority Influence the behavior of Children in Port Harcourt?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
The following research hypothesis will guide the conduct of this research:
Ho1: Nigeria Television Authority in Port Harcourt does not display scene that are horrific that can influence the behavior of children in Port Harcourt metropolis.
Ho2: broadcast content does not affect the socialization process of children residing in Port Harcourt.
Ho3: broadcast content does not affect the relationship of children with their peers in Port Harcourt.
Ho4: Broadcast content of Nigeria Television Authority does not influence the behavior of Children in Port Harcourt.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The study will serve as guide to the management of Nigeria Television Authority, Port Harcourt in particular and the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation as a whole in determining the best way of providing and display the best broadcast that is capable of enhancing good behavior among children as a way to curb the socio-economic menace in the society. This is because what children see has a significant effect on their behavior than what they are told.
Secondly, this study after completion, it is believe that it will provide useful information to parents and guidance on the right broadcast content that they allow their children to view as general broadcasting might contain scenes that might contain child abuse, rape, sexual immorality and other horrific social vices which are capable of impeding good behavior in the child.
The study is also aimed at contributing to the literature in Mass Communication. Also, this work on completion will broaden the essence for application of modern broadcast techniques for both public and private sectors respectively.
1.7 Scope or Delimitation of the Study
This research is limited in scope to examining the influence of Broadcast Content on Children Behavior in Port Harcourt. In doing, the researcher uses respondents from Nigeria Television Authority as a case for the collection of data for the study.
In carrying out an investigation of this nature the researcher must of necessity be faced the following constraint. These constraints are:
Time: The time frame provide for this study was too short.
Financial constraints: Usually, a study of this nature involved some level of expenditure therefore; finance was also a limiting factor.
Poor response: The poor response from the respondent and inability to access the entire population also was another constrain to the study.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Influence: The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself.
Broadcasting: Broadcasting is the distribution of audio or video content to a dispersed audience via any electronic mass communications medium, but typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves), in a one-to-many model.
Behaviour: Refers to the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially towards others.
Children – Children are individuals who are not more than 18 years of age. This was also in line with the UN’s definition adopted on 20 Nov 1989 in the convention on the rights of the child.