INFLUENCE OF TELEVISION PROGRAMMES ON THE MORALITY OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS CASE STUDY OF MINA, NIGER STATE

posted on December 10, 2019

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The various broadcast media, particularly the television has steadily become a part of our everyday lives, and a source of information. Television combines pictures with sound and can communicate messages which are impossible to convey as effectively by radio and or via the print media. In the television system of communication, an image of the scene is transmitted, without the viewer having any problem in recording the information. It is the transmission of information accompanied with sound. Television is seen globally as a medium of information, entertainment and education (Miles, 2000). Television is widely acknowledged as “a powerful medium of our age” its visual immediacy gives its audience a feeling of participation more than any other medium (Miles, 2000). According to Wikipedia, in 2009, 78 percent of the world’s households owned at least one television set, an increase of 5 percent in 2003. In Nigeria, television started in Ibadan in 1959, it was called Western Nigerian Television (WNTV) now Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Ibadan, the Benue Plateau Television now NTA Jos in 1974 was the first television station to transmit coloured pictures to the homes of Nigerians (NBC, 2006). In 1993, licenses were issued for the transmission of cable signals to many homes in Nigeria (NBC, 2006). Today, almost every state capital has at least one television station. In Niger State, NTA Minna was the first station to commence transmission of signals. Over the years, other stations e.g. Niger State Television (NSTV), and most recently cable networks– Multichoice Nigeria (DSTV), Star Times Digital TV, amongst others. These cable networks transmit for 24 hours in a day. The advent of cable and satellite television has boosted TV viewing in recent years (JohnssonSamaragdi, 1994).

Irrespective of the age, sex, social status, culture and background, people have different and specific motives and use for the television. Côté and Allahar (1996) argue that the manner in which the mass media is used, especially television could affect how people view the outside world and also actively prevent young people from developing a critical consciousness that will allow them prioritize larger issues of personal and social responsibility. Television could serve as a means of communication by sending information to the overall public as well as receiving comments from viewers. It could also be for education, sport and entertainment. The usage of television depends on individuals, however, adults rely on the television as a source of information and getting familiar with various things happening in the society they belong and even beyond while the adolescents are more interested in the entertainment and other fun part of television. It is widely assumed that young adolescents are affected more directly and negatively by the media than any other age group (Miles, 2000). Television entertainment programmes contain a variety of elements that are of interest to people. Such programmes include movies, music videos and reality television shows both of foreign and local origin. These entertainment programs have become such a daily fixture of people’s lives.