ROLE OF NIGERIAN TELEVISION AUTHORITY IN THE MOBILIZATION OF THE ELECTORATE FOR POLITICAL ELECTIONS (A STUDY OF 2011 ELECTION IN MAKURDI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BENUE STATE)

Title page i

Declaration ii

Certification iii

Dedication IV

Acknowledgement v

Table of contents VI

List of tables vii

Abstract viii

CHAPTER ONE: 

INTRODUCTION 

1.1 background of the study 1

1.2 Statement of the problem 2

1.3 Objectives of the study 3

1.4 Research Questions 3

1.5 Scope of the study 3

1.6 Significance of the study 4

1.7 Operational Definition of Significant terms 4

CHAPTER TWO: 

LITERATURE REVIEW 

2.1 Introduction 6

2.2 Review of the concepts 6

2.2.1 Concept of election 6

2.2.2 Concept of electorate 8

2.2.3 Concept of political Mobilization 12

2.2.4 Concept of political participation 14

2.2.5 Concept of television as a tool for Mass Communication 14

2.3 Review of Related Studies 19

2.4 Theoretical Framework 21

2.5 Summary 22

CHAPTER THREE: 

METHODOLOGY 

3.1 Introduction 23

3.2 Research Design 23

3.3 Population of the study 23

3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Technique 24

3.5 Description of the Research Instrument 25

3.6 Validity of Data Gathering Instrument 25

3.7 Method of Data Collection 25

3.8 Method of Data Analysis 25

CHAPTER FOUR: 

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS 

4.1 Introduction 26

4.2 Data Presentation and Analysis 26

4.3 Discussions of Findings 38

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Introduction 41

5.2 Summary of findings 41

5.3 Conclusion 41

5.4 Recommendations 41

5.5 Suggestions for Further Studies 42

References 43

Appendix A 44

Appendix B 45

Demographic data on sex

Table 1: Distribution of age

Table 2: Educational status

Table 3: Marital status

Table 4: Area of specialization

Table 5: Television ownership

Table 6: Viewership of news broadcast

Table 7: Power supply constancy

Table 8: Awareness of news channels

Table 9: News comprehensiveness

Table 10: Types of news channels

Table 11: Reasons for choice

Table 12: Reasons for making a choice of the available

Table 13: Distribution showing if you have voted for a candidate because he or she participate in election on television

Table 14: Distribution showing how religious status influence your political activities as regard to whom to vote for

Table 15: Distribution showing how well television viewership enhance electorate turnout during elections

Table 16: Distribution showing how electorate and other electoral stakeholders see television as a best means of mobilization.

Table 17: Distribution showing how respondents agree to campaign bases on promises.

Table 18: Distribution showing how respondents see the election that has being conducted before.

Table 19: Distribution showing respondents recommendation of television as a tool in mobilization of electorates for political election.

Table 20: Distribution in showing how N.T.A keeps track of progress of political information.

Election as a Mass Mobilization and participatory activity usually start when an electoral system is put in place and serves as a mechanism for shaping political competition, power sharing and resource allocation by definition, election is the act of choosing or selecting one or more persons from a greater number of person to serve as representatives in the taking of decisions that affect public interest and the allocation of national power and resources in acceptable manner (israel2009, p.113).

Robert and John (1974) in Ntete-Nna (2004,p.289) report that the essential role of election is to act as a mechanism whereby leaders are circumscribed and made aware that there is a contingent one at least where there is real possibility that they may be outside from office.

Television plays different roles in the lives of its audience, to many; it could be an educative, informative as well as an entertainment medium. Although the use of television alone may not create total awareness to individuals as a result of its restraining factor such as expensiveness, irregular power supply and so on. It is believed that the television will create more sensitized atmosphere for information on issues affecting the society at large, this is where Nigerian Television Authority (N.T.A) Makurdi comes in as a mobiliser of the electorate for political elections.

BRIEF HISTORY OF NIGERIAN TELEVISION AUTHORITY (N.T.A)

In 1976, more states were created and the number of the states increased from 12 to 19 states, this witnessed the emergence of state owned television stations and prompted the federal government to take over the television stations in 1977 establishing the Nigerian television authority (N.T.A). One of the roles of Nigerian Television Authority (N.T.A) is to inform the citizens about the importance of elections and why they should vote. N.T.A should also educate the masses on the codes of conduct as stated by the Nigerian electoral act and brief them about candidates of the competing parties as well as their party manifestoes.