CHAPTER
ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
Crisis emerged in the universe right from the beginning of
man and has remain a reoccurring variable or decimal but not without effects.
Man’s interaction with the environment coupled with the sophistication of the
present age, survival of the fittest has become a since-quo-non. Thus, people
get involved in many activities with the prime objective to satisfy their basic
or primary needs (psychological and safety) and secondary needs (social, esteem
and self fulfillment).
In the process to achieve these need, crisis always emerge
either within employees or between employees and the management of an
organization.
On the other hand, organization and groups strive to win a
bigger shame of the market as to make profit than rivals which will result in
intensive competition and finally to crisis. Communities due to interest will
engage in crisis. Crisis is a necessary evil with us.
Presently, hardly is there any day without news of crisis
from our media whether religion, political, organizational or industrial crisis
of a truth, crisis has been with us for centuries but the spate of current
violent crisis in organizations, government and communities portray great anger
and threaten the growth and stability of the mentioned areas and the society in
general.
NURTW is an acronym of National
Union of Road Transport and Workers. NURTW, registered as a Trade Union in 1978
and an affiliate of the Central Labour Organization (CLO) now (NLC), has an
estimated membership strength of over 1.5 million in the federation, with the
exception of petroleum tankers drives, all professional commercial drivers are
automatic members of the union. These includes drivers operating taxi
& bus town service / inter-state, trailers and lorry drivers engaged in the
transportation of passengers and goods from Local Government owned motor parks,
Government and private Transport companies by road in addition to motorcycle
and tricycle operators.
This situation requires appropriate measures and structures
to manage properly these evils called crisis.
However, the recent crisis among National Union of Road
Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State have been viewed from the ego and leadership
tussle for power while many attributed it to politics of Ibadan. The
leader of Oyo state fraction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers
(NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a Tokyo), has disclosed that the
leadership crisis rocking the Union has so far claimed over 200 innocent lives
in the state.
The fraction made its position
known in a 120-page memorandum it submitted to the judicial commission of
enquiry set up by Governor Abiola Ajimobi to probe the protracted crisis.
The memorandum included
evidence such as court processes and injunctions, pictures, newspapers cuttings
as well as video clips.
To this end the research seeks to
examine how effective was BCOS in the coverage of NURTW crisis in Oyo state.
1.2 Statement Problem
This study seeks
to appraise BCOS coverage of NURTW
crisis in Oyo State. Research on crises and media role is usually difficult if not impossible.
This study is examining the true role expected of mass media during crisis.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
i. To know the major cause of NURTW crisis in Oyo State.
ii. To find out how BCOS is effective in the coverage of NURTW crisis.
iii. To examine some of the challenges faced by BCOS in the coverage of NURTW crisis in Oyo state.
iv. To study whether BCOS assist in cubing NURTW crisis.
v. To evaluate whether the tone of news by BCOS on NURTW crisis in
Oyo is favourable or unfavourable
vi. To find out the attitude of people towards violence, conflicts
and use of weapons by NURTW member.
vii. To know how has BCOS enhanced relationship between and among NURTW members.
1.4 Research Questions
i. What is the major cause of NURTW crisis in Oyo State?
ii. How effective is BCOS in the coverage of NURTW crisis?
iii. Is there any challenge faced by BCOS in the coverage of NURTW crisis IN Oyo State?
iv. Does BCOS assist in cubing NURTW crisis?
v. Is there any negative effect of NURTW crisis on Oyo State?
vi. What is the attitude of people towards violence, conflicts and
use of weapons during NURTW crisis?
vii. How has BCOS enhanced relationship between and among NURTW members?
1.5 Scope of the Study.
The scope of this study resides in the topic of the
research work; Appraisal of BCOS coverage of NURTW crisis in Oyo State.
The scope of the study is limited to NURTW head office Ibadan and BCOS.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study is beneficial to media practitioners as well as
mass communication students to know some of the challenges and role of mass
media in crisis management.
The research is also beneficial to the government to
learning from public opinion of the respondents on strategies they need to
employ in cubing clashes and to know the pains that people are passing through.
Academically, the study formed an extension of knowledge to
the academic study for future researchers.
This also helped other researchers to further investigate
to other aspect this research might not be able to cover.
1.7 Definition of Terms
Mass
Media: These
are means of communicating to large, scatter and heterogeneous audience used in
wagging war against terrorism in Nigeria.
Crisis: This is the state of
disorderliness that engulfed the NURTW recently which claims some lives and
property.
NURTW: This is the acronym of the National Union of Radio Transport Workers especially in Oyo
State.
BCOS:
Broadcasting
Corporation of Oyo
State which is one of the
broadcasting stations in Oyo state that gave adequate coverage to the said
crisis.
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