ABSTRACT
This study on the role of the mass media in 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 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 abuse was analyzed and it was discovered that most
of the victims of this ugly vices were from impoverished homes.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 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 child 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 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 abuse 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 by churning out programmes in a dramatized way,
extensive reportage on child 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 abuse
within Owerri municipality.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
I beat every sound minded Nigerians imagination
why such act like child 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 abused to
foreign countries and within the nation in deceit for child labour, abuse and abuse.
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 child abuse to be a success. Also we cannot continue to allow undesirable
element to destroy the destinies of our children.
1.3 PURPOSE OF STUDY
The nefarious act of child abuse is no longer news
in the country. Also to say that Nigeria is a catchment ground and as well as
dumping point for child abusers 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 child abuse 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 child
abuse campaign.
b)
To appreciate
and explain the Nigerian mass media role in their child 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.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCES OF STUDY
The study tends to provide information
on child 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.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1)
What are the
mass media roles?
2)
If given the
enabling apparati, can the Nigeria mass media effectively carry out their child
abuse campaign?
3)
Have the
Nigerian mass media live up to expectation so far?
4)
What are the
factors adversely impeding their effort in their child abuse campaign?
5)
Which other
relevant institution and people can be of immense help in this campaign by the
Nigerian mass media.
1.6 DELIMITATIONS
/ LIMITATION
The study will be restricted to the role of
Nigerian mass media in the child abuse 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
abuse 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.
1.7 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.
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.