Abstract
This research work examined the impact of radio on voters mobilization with
Enugu North municipality as a case study. The survey method was used for the
study, this method was done to enable the researcher discuss findings
especially as there is a widespread variables. In this research, the random
sampling technique was used to draw a sample of 100 respondents from ten(10)
wards in Enugu North municipality and 12 items questionnaire were used for
data collection. Data was analyzed based on 100 returned copies of the
questionnaire. Finding has revealed that radio has effectively mobilized voters
based on the findings in table 7 reveal that at of 100 respondents 84 percentage
of the sample population agreed that radio message gas great impact on them
while 16 respondents disagreed that radio has no impact on them. Findings
also shows in table 9 that 20 percent of the total sample population agreed that
the radio has not been alive to the responsibility. In the conclusion fro
1.1 Background of the Study
The electronic media began with radio transmission services.
According to Agba (2006), radio began between 1887 and 1888, a
German scientist Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894) and a scientific
breakthrough to demonstrate the liberation of electric curren6t into
space in the form of waves like beams. He was laying the foundation for
the transmission of sound through radio waves.
Marconi successfully proved Hertz’s theory of electromagnetic
waves by making a compass needle turn at the same time a spark
jumped between two wires on the other side of the room, constructing a
more elaborate transmitter, Marconi sent signals across the hillside
outside the family home near Bologna (Bitnner 1989:93). So in 1906 it
was possible for the Canadian immigrant to USA, Reginald Hessenden to
broadcasr human voice and music over the air waves, which could pick
up by crystal set receiver, (Agba, 2006) thus the birth of radio station in
the world.
Radio as a means of mass communication has become one of the
most effective means of communication in the world since its discovery,
especially because of its reach as its transcends geographical linguistic
and traditional barriers Odo(2008). Radio is part of the mass media and
so outside its traditional role of educating, informing and entertaining
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the public it has other salient responsibility to the society. One of which
is to mobilize the populace in the times of need. Today, Nigeria is among
the third world countries with practicing democracy.
Elections in the country have always been married with
irregularities which have gone a long way to vote for candidates of their
choice during elections as they believe that whether they vote or not, a
predetermined winner will still emerge and so this has given greater
responsibility to the mass media as an agent of social change to double
its efforts in mobilizing and sensitizing voters on the need to come out
massively to vote for candidates of their choice, which would help in
strengthening democracy and bring development to the society.
The social responsibility theory of the mass media as propounded
by Siebet, Peterson and Scram (1963) propose a functional model for the
analysis of the function of media in political evolution and maintenance
of a genuine democracy. They are as follows:
a) Enlightening the people on the need and importance of
democracy.
b) Creating an enabling environment for the economy to grow
strong especially through advertising.
c) Adhering strictly to the code of ethics laid down by the press
council of Nigeria as this will motivate the journalist sufficiently
enough to withstand the pressures of government interest and
other special interest.
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d) Entertaining the public with information and other well
packaged programmes.
This responsibility has placed on the shoulders of the media, an
enormous task in democratic regime as ours and efficient mobilization of
voters is part of that responsibility.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The electronic media as part of the mass media has a role to play
in any democratic process. Part of its function includes mobilizing
effectively the Nigeria populace to come out and vote massively for the
candidate of their choice who will be accountable to them. This role
makes the radio a key player in any democratic process and so it is
expected that it carries out this responsibility with all amount of
dedication so as to strengthen and entrench democracy in the country.
Especially the 2011 general elections in most polling units, only twenty
or thirty percent of the registered voters actually came out to vote.
This situation has forced many to ask if actually the media
especially the electronic media has actually performed its function of
mobilization.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The objectives of the study are to:
i. Ascertain the impact of radio messages on voters especially for
the purpose of political mobilization.
ii. Examine the role of radio as a tool for social mobilization.
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iii. Establish strategies that will effectively help in improving voter
mobilization during elections using radio.
iv. This work is set out to study this development.
This project therefore seeks to find out how effective has (E.S.B.S) radio
carried out this responsibility of mobilizing the electorates during
election especially in Enugu North municipality where it signals are
received by most of the residents.
1.4 Research Questions
For the purpose of carrying out this research, the following
questions have been formulated to serve as guide to this study.
i) What impact does E.S.B.S radio message have on voters
especially for the purpose of political mobilization.
ii) How does radio serve as a tool for social mobilization.
iii) What strategies is ESBS radio using to mobilize voters?
1.5 Significance of the Study
In a country with a nascent democracy like Nigeria this study is
significant because it will reawaken the consciousness of media
practitioners to their responsibility to the public which will in turn help
to strengthen the democratic system in our country, Nigeria. This work
will also help in the formulation of policy recommendations that will help
the ESBS radio and other radio stations to have sustainable impact on
their listeners especially as it concerns mobilization during elections.
1.6 Limitations of the Study
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This work will explore thoroughly the impact of the electronic
media on voters’ mobilization in Enugu North and the radio station
selected is ESBS radio Enugu, it was selected because of its proximity to
the researcher which helped to save cost and time. ESBS radio is a
government owned media which broadcasts twenty four hours everyday
and the 2011 and Enugu North municipal council was used as a case
study because of its population proximity to the station. The major
limitations in the course of carrying out this research were finance, time
and high demand of other academic work.
Also, the seeming difficulty of some respondents to give adequate
and relevant information to help in carrying the research was also a
major limitation to the study. Finally the difficulty that encountered in
getting relevant materials to elicit information was also a major
limitation.
1.7 Definition of Terms
To aid proper understanding, the following definition of terms were
undertaken in the work.
i. Radio
ii. Impact
iii. Voters
iv. Mobilization
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Radio: Radio can be defined as the process of sending and receiving
message through the air using electromagnetic waves. It is also a cheap,
portable device that can be carried around.
Voters: Voter can also be defined as a person who votes or has the right
to vote especially in a political election. It is also a group of individuals
that elect their representative.
Mobilization: Simply means the process in which people work together
in order to achieve a particular aim.
Impact: According to chambers dictionary, impact means strong effect or
influence. It also means the striking of one body against another
collision.
ESBS: Enugu State Broadcasting Service “an electronic media that
transmits message through airwaves based in Enugu State, Nigeria.