Influence of Government-Owned Broadcast Media Stations in Promoting Political Participation in Ebonyi State

Abstract

This study is to ascertain the influence of government broadcast media in promoting political participation in Ebonyi State
using Unity FM Abakaliki, NTA Abakaliki and Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC) Abakaliki as case study. The
specific objectives are: to examine the role of Unity FM, NTA and EBBC radio/TV stations in promoting political
participation in Ebonyi State, to determine the way government radio and television programmes have assisted audience in
democratic participation in Ebonyi State, to ascertain the extent ownership affects broadcast media performance in Ebonyi
State, and to examine the level of confidence the audience has in political programmes and messages from Unity Fm, NTA
and EBBC radio/TV. This study adopts agenda setting theory. Survey design was used and a sample size of 400 respondents
was selected and administered with questionnaire for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive analysis
approach. The findings made are: Unity FM, NTA and EBBC Radio/TV Abakaliki have played a great role in promoting
political participation in Ebonyi State through their various programmes and messages. This study recommends that
broadcast media stations in Ebonyi State should improve on quality and people oriented democratic programmes, be guided
by the principle of social responsibility so as to promote public interest, should maintain a cordial working relationship with
the government and should have professional personnel with requisite skills for the kind of textured and in-depth reporting
the new democracy requires.