CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Women
constitute a critical segment of the Nigeria population. They are active in the
agriculture and economic sectors of the society and have also contributed
immensely to the decolonization and general development of this great country.
Women
struggles date back to the 19th century when women like Amina of Zaria, Madam
Tinubu of Lagos, Olufuamilayo Ransom Kute of Abeokuta, Margaret Ekpo and Hajji
Gabon Swabia among others fought to give women the pride of place in Nigeria’s
history even after the struggle for independence was over and Nigeria became an
independent sovereign nation, women continued to contribute their quota in the
post-independence match towards development and progress. In the areas of
politics, the above named amongst others contributed immensely to the
mobilization and sensitization of women with a view to ensuring that women are
involved in the social economic development of the country.
At
present, the issues pertaining to women have contributed to draw a global attention
with the result that the problems that impede their progress are currently
being addressed concretely.
One
of the most important demands of contemporary society is information. The
demand and reliance on information is increasing every day. Information is
regarded as power. Information is also seems as knowledge is enlightenment.
Arguably
the easiest and commonest means of having access to that information is the
broadcast media. The broadcast media comprises of Radio and Television. Radio
on its own has element of sound as it main characteristic.
Televisions
combine both sound and visual element Oba La’aro (2004). The broadcast media by
their nature have widely reach and sequence. The ability to reads widely disperse
audience simultaneously gave the broadcast media comparative advantage over
other media more desirable of immediacy make broadcast media more desirable and
attractive to audience. Radio cut across literacy barrier while television
provides actualities Nasiru (2003).
Radio is
portable and affordable for most Nigeria radio is therefore companion to people
and is even more popular with housewives. Oba La’aro (2004) said television
gives an illusion of reality, such as to present an event or object in certain
way.
Television
and Radio have ability to take you an event to an event through the provision
of visual images and the use of imaginative cultural systems. This ability
makes the broadcast media powerful tools for dissemination of information,
motivation and mobilization.
Through
information and communication media Technology, women are seldom involved in
process decision making or policy formulation process has impeded their
socio-economic development and his to most key issues affecting them remaining
untouched.
However,
women knows that the acquisition of knowledge constitutes the first step toward
the process of change be it social, Economic, cultural or political.
Information is the catalyst, the during force and the product of such an
evolutionary process of change. Good information flow is an integral part of
social and economic development.
Also, the
impact of broadcast media on current practice of, intention to use
contraception. Women who heard or seen advert on contraceptive brands, and
women who favour broadcast of family planning message in the media are
significantly move likely to adopt birth control behaviour in women.
The media
use the social lives of this policy implication to promote family planning.
Nasiru
(2003) observed that the media encouraged and the ginger people up to achieve
the aims or goals of the society. The scholar argued that mobilization is
usually more necessary for disadvantaged or marginalized powerless groups and
research has shown that women make up one of such groups. The mass media is
everywhere, it is all around us. Their presence permeated our life in all
ramifications.
The
society in which we live in embrace and utilize the mass media for variety of
purpose.
Accesses
to the media to very critical, scholars have argued that the media empower
people through provision of information. The position of women in Nigeria
society however, seem to be negligible and nominal. It seems that most women in
Nigeria are yet to empower themselves by availing themselves of development
information that are available in the broadcast media.
The
social and economic condition of women seems to develop and progress slowly in
this jet age. In view of this, the researcher is posed to study the impact of
broadcast media on economics and social lives of rural women.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The
project is about ascertaining the impact of the broadcast media on women,
especially with regard to their economic and social conditions. Women in
Nigeria face several challenges in this millennium. The problem has to do with how
to cope as wives, mother, partners and career women. This change is an evolving phenomenon
and the way Nigeria women, particularly rural ones relates to it may be as a
result of their proximity and exposure to broadcast media message and
information. The study is therefore hinged the assumption that women are
exposed to broadcast media message. Whether it impact on their economic and
social live is what the researcher will study and obtain relevant data on.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
i.
To examine the impact of
broadcasting media on the economic and social life of woman
in Ogbomoso community.
ii.
To study whether the
exposure to broadcast media among women in Ogbomoso have relevant to their
economic and social
condition.
iii.
To examine the
effectiveness of broadcast media on economics and social
lives of women Ogbomoso community.
iv.
To examine the importance
of broadcast media on economics and social lives of
women in Ogbomoso community.
v.
To know the extent which
rural women get influenced economically and socially.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
· Does broadcast media have
impact on the economic and social life of woman in Ogbomoso local government?
· Do exposure of women
farmers to radio and television programmes and news improve their agricultural
skills and knowledge?
· How effective is broadcast
media in enhancing economy and social lives
of women in Ogbomoso community?
· To what extent does
culture affect women participation in local politics in Nigeria?
· Does women participation
in local politics depend on their exposure to broadcast
media?
· Has broadcast media
improve the health and social welfare of rural women and children?
· Does religion limit the power and role of women in
society?
· Has exposure of rural
women to broadcast media increase their level of civilization?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The
research will benefit different people, organization, and government and other
agencies.
This study
will elicit information on the role of the media, especially the broadcast
media in the development of social and economic conditions and practice of
women in urban settings.
How the
media impact and the level of that impact will be examined and highlighted.
The study
will enable women to know the significant of broadcasting media in their lives.
Broadcast
media will at the end of this study see the need to dedicate and design special
programmes for women improvement.
The
research will be value to students and scholars of mass communication and
people who seek to impact on the social and economic conditions of women.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study
has been limited to Iree community due to time, geographical structure of
Nigeria and other logistics since it is very difficult if not impossible to
study all the community in Oyo state and the research focuses on the impact of
broadcast media on economic and social lives of rural women.
1.7 LIMITATION TO THE STUDY
· Wide research of this
nature cannot be carried out without some constrains, this constrains pose a
lot of limitations to this work.
· Duration for the research
work is relatively short.
· Stress emanated from other
academic activities is also another constrain.
· Little materials are also
available because the work is relatively new.
· Financial constrain poses
another challenges.
· Most information are
gathered through newspapers and internet.
1.8 DEFINITION OF
TERMS
Impact: It is synonymous to the role or contribution
Broadcasting Media:This
explains why Mgbejume (1985:1) defined broadcasting as “the spreading or
scattering of news, entertainment or any other programmes over a wide area with
many propels simultaneously receiving the transmuted programmes in their homes
television, radio set”.
Economic: This has to do with day to day business and transaction of goods
and services.
Social lives: This has to do with the social activities and way of live ranging
from standard of living to social status.
Rural: It meaning less developed area or community with little or no
infrastructural facilities.
Rural Women: These are women dwelling in a less developed community.
