CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
Throughout the world, the problem of
polluted environment has become a very disturbing phenomenon. Environmental
problems plaguing the world are enormous. But perhaps the most serious and
worrisome in Nigeria
is the physical environment in terms of the low level of sanitation and gross
environmental indiscipline in our cities and communities.
Apart from the health significance of
heaps of refuse as a health hazard, they also make our environment ugly. The
problem of solid waste disposal in Nigeria has become a national
malaise. Filth is an eyesore and a
nuisance. It signifies decadence and backwardness. A look at the Nigerian
homes, toilets, streets, kitchens, corridors, gutters, staircases, markets,
abattoirs, would reveal the very low levels of sanitation.
The woe of poor environmental
sanitation such as indiscriminate waste disposal is evidence of the crucial
role environment occupies in deciding the health of a man.
In fact,
never before, in the history of Nigeria
has the need become more imperative and urgent to sharpen our consciousness
concerning our surroundings. For in such consciousness lies our dignity and
salvation as a people and as a nation. This is because some Nigerian still go
about with the dangerous impression that dorti no dey kill black man (Filth
does not kill black man) However, over the years, specific measures undertaken
by the Nigerian Government both in the past and present have not yielded
significant success.
The objectives of environmental
sanitation are to create and maintain conditions in the environment that will
promote health and prevent diseases (Lucas and Gilles, 1973). This is because
Environmental Sanitation deals with:
- Methods
for the disposal of excreta, sewage and community wastes to ensure that they
are adequate and safe.
- Water
supplies, to ensure that they are pure and wholesome.
- Housing to
ensure that it is a character likely to:
Today living
in a sustainable environment has become an issue on international concern which
is making headlines both in the print and electronic media. Also, global
warming, climate change, green house gases effect, depletion of ozone layer,
acidic rain and other climatic and
environmental issues are now the hot and
prioritized topics in the global mass media and many local stations.
Both the
governments and the people depend on communication and updates from the mass
media not only for disseminating information but also in setting agenda for the
development and other allied activities. Hence, communication media become
powerful tool for disseminating information and diffusion of innovations.
Media play a
vital role in educating and enlightening the people and the governments to protect and preserved natural
resources in the interest of the future generations and the climatic chaos.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
This project
will examine the contribution of mass media in creating public awareness on
environmental sanitation. Also, it will study how media messages have
influenced the behaviour of public in dealing with environmental matters. It
will also determine the effectiveness of mass media during environmental
matters. Also, it will x-ray media strategy in eradicating and updating the
public before, during and after environmental havoc.
1.3 Research Questions
v To what
extent has the mass media been able to sensitize the public on environmental
sanitation and other environmental issues?
v To what
extent has the mass media change the attitude of the public in dealing with
their environment?
v Do mass
media allot space and air time for environmental sanitation activities and
programme?
v Have mass media been able to highlight the
danger in poor sanitation?
v How can mass
media improve environmental sanitation awareness among people?
1.4 Purpose of the Study
v To
investigate the perceptual and potential roles of mass media in promoting
environmental education and awareness.
v To examine
the relationship between the role of mass media on environmental education and
the level of environmental awareness among the people.
v To highlight
the most important functions of the mass media.
v To x-ray the
influence of mass media on the respondents decision making.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The significant of the study is to reveal to the entire
world; the role expected of mass media concerning environmental sustainability,
since little is known about climate change, global warming, ozone layer, green
houses gases and their impact on human existence.
Also, to let the public know that mass
media is their eye, ear, nose e. t. c who will perceive an event on their
behalf and later communicate it to the public. Therefore, mass media messages
should not be taken for granted.
Future researchers will also find this
work very interesting to consult while working on a similar topic.
1.6 Scope of the Study
Although, this project is concerned
with the impact of mass media on sustainable environment. However, this cannot
be effective discussed, that is why this work is narrowed down to newspaper,
which shall represent the entire mass media in Nigeria, since it is difficult
to examine all media.
Therefore,
demographic factor of the people residing in Osun state will be examined such
as education, experience, professional training, sex marital status e.t. c must
be visited before the distribution of the research instrument.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
This project work is limited to the
Punch newspaper to represent all mass media in Nigeria.
Available time for this work is
relatively short as other academic activities are competing for time.
Inadequate fund to finance this work
especially to cover as many mass media as possible that is while is limited to
the Punch newspaper.
Another limitation is the few
literature are available meaning that the work is relatively new, therefore
gathering material for this work was not an easy task.
https://amedaspot.blogspot.com.ng/2017/10/watch-giant-elephant-angrily-attacked.html
https://amedaspot.blogspot.com.ng/2017/10/watch-giant-elephant-angrily-attacked.html